page20 (2/2)

“Why?”

I thought about it for a second, trying to find a way to put the feeling into words “He’s quick,” I said, glancing at her before looking back at the fire “Anything I say, he has a response, like—” I snapped le word out of his mouth is laced with innuendo He could tell rocery store, but it would sound like he was taking a trip to pound town”

Lily burst out laughing, and I felt my lips twitch

“I’ve never noticed that,” she said through her giggles

“His voice is all deep and gravelly,” I replied defensively “He’s like the male version of a phone sex operator”

“Iroaned “Right there, Rose”

“Would you shut it?” I snapped, swatting at her

“Suck me harder, Rose,” she continued

“You have a filthy mind”

“You’re just as bad as I a

“No, I’et another drink You want one?”

“Sure,” she said, getting onna stay here”

“Thank God,” I mumbled under my breath as I headed back toward the clubhouse

My cheeks were hot as I ht and I did have a thing for Mack—but that didn’tabout it He was older than us, more responsible than us, and way more experienced than I’d ever be

I was so busy thinking about all the things I’d say to Lily when I got back with our drinks that I walked right into soht This time, the collision was a lot harder, and I ended up flat on my ass

“Damn, you okay?”

Jesus Of course it was Mack Of course

“I’ quickly to ht as rain”

Right as rain? Was I sixty-four years old? What rong with me?

“I hit you pretty hard,” he said, his voice laced with concern Of course, all I heard was hard and I immediately flushed

“My fault,” I squeaked, lifting my hands in the air “No harm, no foul”

Shut your ht now

“You’re not going to fake an injury so your brothers will beat my ass, are you?” he said with a chuckle “Payback for the door?”

“I wouldn’t do that,” I replied, offended “That’s not a prank, that would be a total asshole thing to do”

“Right,” he said Even though it was pitch black outside, I could tell by his tone that he was s

The silence between us stretched while I stood there trying to think of so clever to say I wasn’t ready to walk away yet, but Lily was right—when I was around Mack, my mouth seemed disconnected from my brain

“Did you use the gift certificate?” I finally blurted out

“I wasto talk to you about that—”