From Collin, my gaze settles back on Mack.
He is such an enigma to me. I’ve seen glimpses of his personality. Like when he bantered with Collin. And walking around town collecting money for the Party at the Park…at least before the Tricia Incident. I’m trying not to let my knowledge of his past color my perception of him. In fact, that aside, all I seem to notice about Mack Bradley—besides his impressive shoulders—is how helpful he is. The man is literally everywhere around town, doing all the things for all the people.
Inez at the café.
Willow at the library.
He met with the mayor about the Party in the Park earlier this week.
He’s been working on our side of the duplex with renewed vigor since the bats descended upon us.
Now, here he is on a day trip to the zoo, and I’m pretty sure he runs his own business, so he’s going to have to make up for being away somehow.
I don’t think the man sleeps.
I check my watch. We’ve got another ten minutes before we’re set to arrive, but I stand to make my way to the front of the bus. We hit a pothole as I’m passing Mack’s seat, and I stumble into his lap.
“I’m so sorry.” I scramble to my feet, bumping my hip into the seat in front of him, and careening back into him.
“Easy, Boo.”
“Oh, gosh. I’m crushing you.” I attempt to stand. Why is it that I’m a hapless, uncoordinated oaf when it comes to Holland’s brother?
Mack scrunches his face up in a display of more emotion than I’ve ever seen out of him.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, rearranging papers in my clipboard that had shifted in my fall and trying not to feel self-conscious. “Did I hurt you? I realize I’m not one of those dainty women who weigh less than a feather.” I’m rambling. I always do this when I’m nervous. It’s a terrible habit, but I can’t seem to break it.
“You weren’t crushing me.”
“Oh.” I laugh at Mack’s monotone declaration. “Well, that’s a relief. I’ll be going now.”
I turn to make my way up to the front of the bus, but I stop when I feel a hand wrapped around my wrist. I glance down to find Mack’s hand against my skin, which suddenly feels sunburned. My gaze pops up to meet his.
There’s a look in his eyes that I’ve never seen before—from him, or from any man…ever.
“You take up the exact right amount of space.”
My mouth opens to respond before I register what he said. When I play it back, I snap my jaw closed. Mack hasn’t taken his eyes from me. His gaze isn’t uncomfortable, but it feels like he’s imploring me to believe him. A swell of gratitude rises up in my chest. I shouldn’t need any exterior validation that the space I take up—physically, emotionally, mentally—is valid. But it sure is nice to hear it every once in a while.
My shoulders relax, and I cock my head, a smile bursting onto my lips. I must catch Mack off guard, because he leans away and drops my wrist.
“Thank you for that. It was the perfect thing to say.” I beam another grateful grin at him before I set off toward the bus driver.
I stop when I feel a tug on my shorts, and I turn to find a little boy doing the potty jiggle in his seat.
“Miss Poppy, I have to go to the bathroom!”
“Davis, can you make it five minutes? We’re almost there.”
He nods at me with wide eyes.
“Awesome.” I make eye contact with Ginny, who is sitting right in front of him.
“I’ll take him as soon as we arrive,” she says, reading my mind.
“Thanks a million.” I turn around and face the group, dialing up my best cheerful yet authoritative voice. “Alright, everyone! Listen up!”
The screaming and chatting doesn’t stop. I hold my hands in the air and wave. “Hello! Can anyone hear me?”
