Igrab her hand in mine and lead her back behind the stage, where we are out of view of everyone except any cars that drive by on the cross street.ButI’mpretty sure everyone in town is currently atBeatin theStreet— on the other side of this portable wall— because the road is empty.
Everynerve ending in my body feels like it’s on high alert, andIdon’t think it is from the dancing or being up on stage.It’sfrom being withMackenzie.Seeingher in her element, seeing her passion for helping other people to be more passionate.Justa short time ago at the library,Inever would’ve guessed that she could work this kind of magic on me.
Butshe very much has.
Icup a hand at the base of her head, my fingers twining in the hair at her neck.Iput my other hand on the small of her back to pull her closer, but beforeIdo, she closes the gap between us and presses her lips against mine.
Herlips are so soft, yet she’s kissing me with an urgency that tells me that she might still have some adrenaline coursing through her and that she needs and wants this every bit as much asIdo.Itisn’t somethingIeven knewIneeded before meeting her.Itfeels like every bit of attraction that has been simmering between us is being channeled into this kiss.Islide my arm around her waist as she slides her hands up from my chest to rest just behind my neck, tickling my hair and sending a shiver down my spine.
Thebeat of the drums, the strumming of the guitars, the singing, and the sounds of the crowd fade away and it feels likeMackenzieandIare wrapped in our own little world, away from everything on the other side of the wall.
It’shard to tell if she’s kissing me more or ifI’mkissing her more, butIcan tell that we both are feeling the need to be close.Tofeel connected to each other.
Idon’t know if the smell of strawberries is coming fromMackenzieor from the cotton candy booth further down the sidewalk, but it will forever be attached to this memory.Sowill the feel of her pressed against my chest, our racing heartbeats pounding out their own rhythm, her lips moving against mine, her hair tickling the back of my hand, and the way our breaths seem to be in sync.
And, oddly, a cover band singer belting out a song with some lyrics about a woman coloring her hair and feeling the way that she feels.
Icould stand here forever, kissingMackenzie, soaking in the exhilaration of this night, feeling connected to her in a wayIdon’t remember ever experiencing before.
Eventually, though, she smiles against my lips and then pulls back just enough to say, “Iknew it was a good idea to have you come today.”
“AndIknewIdidn’t want to miss it for the world.”Yep.Shehas definitely worked her magic on me.
CHAPTER22
WAY BETTER THAN A PUMPKIN
MACKENZIE
Thistime, asIam driving along the road that feels like it’s heading intoNowhereLand, at leastIknowI’mheading in the right direction.Iglance down at my incredibly fabulous heels and smile.Inever thought whenIfound these beauties a week ago thatI’dhave an occasion to wear them so soon.Andwith the kickin’ magenta dress thatLivihelped me to find, they look even more amazing.
It’sbeen a long time sinceIlast let a guy pick me up for a date instead of driving myself, butIwould’ve been fine withJacepicking me up.Ihad pictured it happening more than once, actually.Buthe texted an hour ago to say that even though it’s aSaturday, he had to go to work because of an urgent project and asked ifIcould meet him atLancasterBusinessSolutionsinstead.
Healso asked if it is okay if we travel to the gala with his brotherMiles, whichI’mexcited about—Ihaven’t met him yet.
Afterhow glorious last night was,I’mpretty sureI’ddo anything to seeJacetoday.Evenendure looks of disapproval from the receptionist at his work. (Pleasetell me she doesn’t come in for urgent projects onSaturdays.)Aftera single kiss fromJace,I’mcompletely hooked.
Inmy defense, it was a very long kiss.Andunlike anythingIhave ever experienced in my life.Itwas the kind of kiss that they base entire movie scripts around.Writesongs about.Nationsrise and fall because of kisses like that.I’man addict.Likea raccoon who has discovered where the camper’s stash ofOreosis.
I’venever related to a raccoon more.
Ialready got my walk in today before bothLiviandMaggiehelped me to get my makeup and hair perfect.Andto argue over what flagsJacemight have— red or otherwise.Istill haven’t found one, personally. (AlthoughLivithinks maybe yellow— incompatibilities that we just haven’t come across yet, andMaggiethinks maybe pink— that one or both of us are wearing rose-colored glasses.Neitherhave any corroborating evidence to back those theories, though.)
Ipull up to the gate, whichInow realizeI’dguessed would just be open on aSaturday, but nope.Itmakes sense that it isn’t because if they have data to protect, they can’t have people sneaking in on the weekends to steal it.Thesame guard from last time,Moss, is there to greet me.Idutifully hand him my license before he even asks.
Hedoesn’t scan it this time— he just inspects it, goes to the back of my car whereI’msure he’s taking down my license plate number, then returns to my window and hands me my license. “Justhead down the drive, and take the fork to the right that leads to the side of the building.Gointo the first level of underground parking and park in spaceA-twelve.Mr.Lancasterwill come down to greet you.”Iswear there’s a twinkle in his eye when he adds, “Enjoyyour evening.”
Igrin asIthank him, fully planning to.Ihold back offering to show him my shoes, even thoughIreally want to.
Itravel down the long, curving cobblestone drive to the side of the building, and thenIpanic whenIsee a gate blocking the underground parking.Onlyfor a small moment, though, because it opens on its own.A-12 is the third spot in and is near the elevator.Iget out of my car, butIdon’t seeJaceandIdon’t know whereI’msupposed to go.
Ionly wait about five seconds beforeIhear the elevator, andIspin around to face it.Asthe doors open,IseeJace, andInearly lose my ability to speak.He’swearing a black tux that is perfectly tailored to his strong shoulders and every lean muscle.Hisshirt is a crisp white, his hair wavy and neat, and he is striking.He’sstanding with one hand in his pocket, looking calm, confident, and suave.Everyhero in every spy movie has nothing on this man.
Ashe steps off the elevator and strides to me, he says, “Wow.Youare radiant.”Helifts both of my hands with his, holding them out like he’s trying to take all of me in.ThenIturn in a circle so he can see how the back of the dress dips low, framing my loose waves, and how it all skims along my curves until it flares at my hips.
“Andlook at my shoes!”AsifI’ma shoe model,Iput my foot out and turn it side to side as the light catches the metal vines on the heel.Theseshoes go with this dress like they were always meant to be together.
Hiseyes widen and his eyebrows rise as he takes them in. “Thosemight be the most incredible shoesI’veever seen.”Ican’t tell if he’s being genuine or not, but the fact that he is in tune with me enough to know that’s exactly whatIwanted to hear earns him bonus points either way.
