Mack didn’t look convinced. Thankfully, he didn’t appear to be the kind of guy to push the issue. Smart man. He took another chip and chewed thoughtfully before turning to face her. “You know, the first time we met, I thought you looked familiar.”
She brushed him off. “I just have one of those faces.”
“Yeah, a beautiful one.”
Lacey snorted. “Does that line really work for you?”
As much as she hated to admit it, his grin was as charming as all get out. His eyes sparked with amusement. “Honestly, I’ve never used that one.”
“Oh? What usually works for you?” Lacey’s grin grew.
“I wouldn’t dare use those ones. They’re not good enough for someone of your caliber.”
She laughed despite herself. “That’s terrible.”
Mack shifted closer, his voice lowering. Then he leaned in. “You wantterrible?” The huskiness of his tone made her stomach flip. He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, lettinghis fingertips barely graze her skin. “There’s something wrong with my eyes because I can’t take them off of you.”
Lacey blinked. That one was actually pretty good. Maybe it was the way he said it. Or maybe it had been too long since she’d been touched like this, but she had to fight the instinct to lean into him. Forcing a laugh, she pressed her fingers against his chest. “You’re right. That was terrible.”
He chuckled as he took a step back to accommodate her. Then he winked.
Mack actually winked!
And she must be losing it, because she laughed again. “Nice try.”
Rubbing his jaw, he seemed to contemplate her dismissal. “You know, I’ve been trying to come up with something charming to say all afternoon, but all I can think about is how cute you are.”
This time Lacey snorted. “Okay, that one reallyisbad.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure there are plenty of other women who would be thrilled to capture your attention, why don’t you try some of those lines on them?”
Mack lifted a shoulder. “I wasn’t lying, Lacey. Those lines might be cheesy, but they’re true.” He wasn’t looking at her, now. Instead, his eyes were focused on the others who were at the party. His focus took on an almost far-off quality. “I can’t explain it, but I feel like we could understand each other.”
“Oh? How’s that?” She glanced away from him, though admittedly, he’d captured her attention with that one.
He blew out a long breath, folding his arms as he did so. Then he eyed her, and one corner of his mouth quirked upward. “We live our lives on the outskirts.”
“I beg your pardon?” She faced him fully, not sure if she should be offended or not.
Mack’s smile didn’t waver. “Few friends. No one pays us any mind. For me? It’s because I’m the middle child. Easily overlooked.” He chuckled again, but there was something disheartening about the words he said. Did he really feel that way? He nodded toward her. “But you? It’s something different. I think you revel in not being noticed at parties like this one.”
“And when I’m not at a party?”
His grin widened. “You and I both know that your reputation precedes you. Lacey the waitress is the kind of girl who knows how to have a good time.”
And just like that, her walls came right back up. What was he referring to? Did he know about her son? Or was he referring to the way she flirted with her tables to get better tips? She knew there were rumors in town. The women working at the salon did their worst when they really wanted to. It wasn’t their fault, really. Rocky Ridge was small enough that no one had secrets for long.
However, Mack and his brother had only recently moved to Rocky Ridge permanently. She didn’t know just how much they knew or if they paid much attention to the stories spun by Christine and Bonnie. Salon 406 was a breeding ground for everything salacious.
“Did I say something wrong?”
She started, her head snapping back so she could take him in again. Gone was his boyish grin, replaced by that look of concern that threw her off her guard. “What?”
“I’m sorry if I did. I didn’t mean to?—”
Lacey waved a dismissive hand. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard.” That was the truth. It just hurt to think he might have come to his conclusions based on senseless gossip rather than getting to know her.
He stepped back into her bubble. “Hey,” he whispered, hooking a finger under her chin. The gesture was too intimate—too strange. She preferred the lighthearted banter over… whatever this was.
Lacey stepped back, forcing him to drop his hand. She plastered on the smile that she wore for every single customer she got at the restaurant. “You must think highly of yourself to believe your words can affect me like that.” It was her turn to lean in. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. You’re not that special.”
