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“The trip to the rodeo. That night at the restaurant.”

“I was working! That wasn’t a date.”

He only continued grinning. “When Bridger was sick. And tonight. It’s not unheard of to kiss a guy after you’ve gone out six times.”

“First of all, three of those were accompanied by other people. Dates are just the two of us.”

Mack shook his head, oozing charm. “A date is when a guy spends time with a girl he likes.”

Her stomach bottomed out. She knew he liked her. Heck, with the way he was acting, he might even claim to have feelings for her. But hearing him say it made all the difference.

He inched closer once more. “And you want to know something else? It’s not going to be our last, either.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but she didn’t get the chance. He reached for her hand and tugged her toward the building.

“After tonight, you’re going to be begging me to spend more time with you.”

“Your confidence is so charming,” she muttered with sarcasm, only earning herself another grin.

Mack pulled her into the building, and she immediately soaked in her surroundings. This place was made for dancing. There was a bar, but from the looks of it, no alcohol was served. She didn’t know if food was on the menu or if it was strictly drinks. A country band performed on stage at the back of the room. The music blared through the whole space, and swarms of people moved to the beat.

Lacey stared at Mack with surprise.

He chuckled. “What? Are you surprised that I know how to dance?”

Yes. She’d been surprised when he told her what their plans had been. But being here, she couldn’t see a man like Mack participating in this sort of thing. He was the epitome of a rugged cowboy. He had plenty of muscles to show for it. Towitness him moving across the floor like the other men and women was going to be interesting, to say the least.

Mack appeared to have gotten impatient for her response, because he pulled her to the dance floor without another word.

His hands slipped around her waist, pulling her so close they were chest to chest. The song that had just started was a love song—one that had him swaying with her, tucking his face close to her neck.

The gentle movements were a stark contrast to the way her heart raced at his closeness. Everything that had gone on between them the last couple of times they’d been together came rushing to the surface.

Even though she felt like they didn’t know one another, there was something in her heart that wanted that to change. She wanted them to be something more. She wanted to be able to trust him.

He lifted one hand and pulled hers from around his neck so he could hold it. The hand around her waist tightened, and he shifted his lips to her ear. “Relax, beautiful. You’re safe with me.”

She wanted to believe him. More than anything, she wanted to believe every word that came out of his mouth. She could see herself leaning on him while she raised her son. She practically craved the support he’d offered her that one night—and he’d done it without the promise of anything from her.

Would it be so bad to let him in? She’d asked herself that question for what felt like the millionth time.

No. It wouldn’t. She wasn’t agreeing to marry him. What harm would there be in letting him see just a little more of her?

“My parents refused to let me raise Bridger when he was born.”

Mack stiffened, but it was short-lived. Still, they swayed to the music. She sensed more than anything that he wanted her to go on.

So she did.

Lacey buried her face in his neck, fighting the urge to tear up. “I didn’t exactly hang around the best group of kids as a teenager. I stayed out late, got into trouble. And ended up pregnant.” She waited, expecting him to say something. But he didn’t. Perhaps he didn’t care. Or maybe he’d already figured out that Bridger was too old not to come from a teenage pregnancy.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and sighed. “I only got custody of him a year ago. They did everything in their power to maintain control until… they couldn’t. If it wasn’t… If I didn’t get some help, I wouldn’t have him now.” He didn’t need to know all the nitty gritty details.

Mack pulled back and stared at her, his eyes searching for something she wasn’t sure of. Then he pressed his forehead against hers. “You are the most responsible and protective mother I know. Don’t ever let anyone else tell you otherwise. You’d do anything for that kid, and if they can’t see that, then they’re blind.”

Lacey didn’t know that she’d needed to hear those words until he spoke them. Her body warmed, flushing from head to toe with what could only be described as utter joy. He’d heard all the words she didn’t say. He understood her fears without them needing to be voiced.

He really was perfect.