He continues, his voice shaky, “I think I’ve loved you for a long time, and maybe was afraid to admit it or afraid to fuck up our friendship—but I love you.”
My nose burns and my vision blurs with tears.
“Hey, baby, don’t cry. Why are you crying? Damn it! I fucked up. MJ, I’m so sorry—”
I drop his hands and tackle him to theground, burying my face in his shoulder. “You didn’t fuck up. I love you too, honey!” He squeezes my waist and exhales against my neck.
“Oh, thank fuck!” He chuckles and I laugh too.
I pull away from him, wiping my eyes. “Mac, I’m pretty sure I’ve loved you since I was seven years old.”
I giggle, admitting that feels good. He laughs with me and then I’m on top of him again, kissing him. He grabs my hips, pulling me against his pelvis where he’s already growing hard, and he lets out a groan. I giggle and kiss him more, grinding my hips into his. I start to pull off my pajama shirt but drop it quickly with a gasp when something hits the tent outside.
“Fuck,” Mac curses.
My heart is racing, and then I hear a deep chuckle belonging to Austin. “Okay, you two, good lord! Breakfast is almost ready.”
We dissolve into laughter, and I slip my shirt over my head. The mood is dead, but I still need to change into my bathing suit, determined to get some more swimming in before Mac has to leave me to go work at the shop.
A few hours later, I’m sitting at my desk in my room, scrolling through more research. Between prepping for Mac’s case and exploring social media marketing, my laptop has been getting a workout this summer. My phone pings with a message from Shannon.
Shannon:Sorry I had to bail so early. I had to prep at Hal’s. Come visit me tonight?
Me:Only if you make me something yummy again!
Shannon:You got it ??
It’s been a slow but productive Friday. After breakfast, Shannon bailed to get ready for work, leaving the guys and me to clean up the grill and our stuff from last night. We swim for a while, and eventually part ways. Since then, I’ve had a few hours to myself, and I’ll be heading down to help Mom and Dad break down the tents and pick up any trash left over from last night.
Looking over the PowerPoint presentation I created, I smile to myself. I think I have some strong points to win my parents over and get them to agree to let me take a year off. I’ve been able to dodge their questions about law school for the last month, but time’s running out. Technically, I should’ve already received my acceptance letter, and I’m surprised Dad hasn’t been sniffing around to see where it is.
Saving the presentation, I close my laptop and head out to the creek to clean up. Then it looks like I’ll be off to Hal’s later.
The bass bumps through my body as I place the empty shot glass back onto the bar top. Shannon grabs it almost immediately, replacing it with a martini glass filled with something purple. Hal’s is full of people, but I secured a seat at the bar when I arrived an hour ago and I’ve been drinking whatever Shannon serves me, as well as sipping on water.
“Your Swiftie heart will love this. I’m calling it Lavender Haze,” she yells over the music and chatter, grinning. “Take your time—it’s strong.”
I nod and take a sip. Lemon, gin, and something else hits my tongue. It tastes floral, but in a good way. I smile back at her and nod my head in approval, pulling my phone out of my pocket. Snapping a few pictures of the drink, I save the best one for an Instagram post later and check my messages. There’s a few in the Quad Squad chat.
Austin:Tell Shannon we’re coming to hang out
Blake:Or she’ll just see us when we get there ??
Mac:I’ll be there too baby. Save me a seat
I smile and lift my eyes off my phone to scan the bar. Yeah, saving a seat might not be happening, but the guys can always stand next to me if necessary. As if my thoughts created opportunity, a high-top clears just a few feet away. I wave to get Shannon’s attention and then point to the table. Drink in hand, I walk over to the table to stake my claim.
It seems like I secured the table just in time, because I see Blake’s square head poking up over the crowd near the door just as I sit down. I stand, using the chair as leverage to get a little higher and wave my arm so they can see me. Blake nods his head and the three of them work through the crowd to me.
Blake and Austin take seats, greeting me with smiles, while Mac’s heat hits my back. He presses his nose against my neck, his breath hot against my ear. “Hey, baby,” he whispers. Goosebumps break out across my skin and a smile on my face.
“Hi yourself,” I reply. Blake reaches across the table and takes a sip, making a face like it was bitter.
“Who made this?” he asks, scanning the bar to see who’s working.
Shannon walks up to our table with three more of the purple drinks and places them down in front of the guys. “I did. Got a problem with it?” she quips, full of sass.
“Little less creme de violette next time,” Blake mumbles as he grabs his own martini glass and downs it in one gulp. “Can I get a beer?”
