Bridger hopped down from his seat. Both Lacey and Angela watched them go. The second they were around the corner, Angela leaned forward, her face alight. “Isn’t he great?”
Lacey reluctantly brought her focus to her sister. “Hmm?”
“Mack.” She swooned and leaned back in her seat. “He was so hot in high school, how is it possible that he’s even hotter now?”
Lacey shifted her attention to the menu, already feeling the warmth creep into her face. “Yeah, I guess he’s okay.”
“Okay? He let your kid have his brownie, and he offered to take him to the bathroom. He’s built, and oh, my gosh! That jaw!” Angela grinned. “Do you think he’d say yes if I asked him out—you know, officially?”
Lacey stiffened. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably at the idea of her sister going on a date with Mack and his stupid obsession with cheesy pick-up lines. “I don’t know if he’d go for that,” she hedged then winced the second the words left her lips.
“What? Why not? Is he dating someone?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I barely know him. I just thought… he doesn’t seem like… the kind of guy who likes to be asked out.” Lacey didn’t know if that was the truth, either. All she knew was that she didn’t want her sister dating the guy.
It was because she didn’t want to see Mack more often since Angela was staying at her apartment. At least that was the story Lacey told herself.
She cleared her throat. “Don’t you think he seems more like the old-fashioned type? He probably likes to do the asking…” She let her voice trail off and slowly peeked at her sister, relieved to note that Angela looked more contemplative than upset.
“You’re probably right.”
Lacey breathed out a sigh of relief and looked in the direction of the bathrooms. “It shouldn’t be taking this long.”
“There’s a crane machine over by the bathrooms. I’m sure Bridger just wanted to see it.”
She was right. It had been years since Angela had been to this restaurant, but everything had remained the same. A few months ago, Bridger had stopped at the crane machine, but Lacey hadn’t had quarters. “I’m going to check on them.”
“Lacey—” Angela groaned, but she didn’t follow.
With sure steps, Lacey wove through the restaurant and headed straight for the bathrooms. Sure enough, Mack and Bridger were at the crane machine. Not only were they there, but Bridger was playing.
Lacey stopped in her tracks, watching Mack crouched down beside her son pointing at the metal claw that swayed overhead.
“See? Last time you didn’t go quite far enough. Quick, move it a little more that way.” He chuckled. “Yeah, just like that. Now push the button.”
Bridger jumped up and down. The claw lowered, but it didn’t quite wrap around the stuffed horse. Her son frowned. “I missed.”
“It’s okay, kid. We have eight more tries.”
Her brows shot up, and without knowing what she was going to do, she strode toward them. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Bridger didn’t notice the tightness to her tone. Mack didn’t seem to care. He glanced up at her before rising to his feet with a grin. “The kid wanted to win the horse.”
She glanced down at her distracted son and lowered her voice. “You’re taking this too far,” she snapped.
“Am I? How so?”
Lacey poked him in the chest a few times, a little harder than necessary. “Dinner? The crane machine? What don’t you understand about the word no?”
He chuckled, the sound unnerving her. Mack’s eyes roved over her face, and he tilted his head. Then his fingers lifted and swept some hair behind her ear like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I’ll remind you, Angela and I were friends long before this happened.” He pointed between the two of them.
She snatched his finger in her grasp and shoved it away. “There is nothis.”
The low rumble of laughter had her insides dancing. His eyes sparkled. “Really? Because I got you to come out with me again.”
Her mouth dropped open. “This isn’t a date,” she seethed.
“Oh, man! I was so close,” Bridger groaned.
