Kisses After Dark (32 page)

“I like hanging out with you, too. Were you worried that I didn’t?”

“I wasn’t worried about that so much as…”

“Just say whatever it is. Get it off your chest.”

He looked into her eyes and saw nothing but interest and compassion and that underlying layer of sweetness that made everything so much easier with her. “After what happened with my wife, I was a wreck. It was as bad as it gets. I survived it, for the most part, but I don’t think I’d survive it a second time. So I guess what I’m saying is if this is just a fling, a get-the-first-time-out-of-the-way-and-move-on thing, which is perfectly all right if that’s what it is for you, I’d like to know that sooner rather than later.”

Katie stared at him, and for a moment he wasn’t sure if she was shocked or pissed or what. Had he just screwed it all up?

“It’s much more than that to me, Shane. I would never use you that way. First of all, that’s not who I am, and second of all, with your sister married to my brother, there’s much more at stake here than what’s happening between us. I’ve known that from the beginning.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you. That’s the last thing I’d ever want to do. I’ve learned the hard way that I have to look out for myself in these situations, and the more time I spend with you, the more time I
want
to spend with you. If you aren’t on the same page, I’d rather know now. That’s all I was trying to say. Sorry if I made a mess of it.”

“We’re on the same page. I can’t promise this is it for me forever—”

“I’m not asking for that.” He softened his words with a smile. “Not yet anyway.”

She returned his smile. “I was excited to see you tonight. Why do you think I went downstairs to get lemonade right after five? Because you told me you’d get home around five. I was hoping to see you the second you got home.”

“You were? Really?”

“Yes! Why do you seem so surprised to hear that?”

“Are you laughing at me?”

“I’m laughing
with
you.”

He scowled playfully. “Except I’m not laughing.”

“Shane… Look at me.”

He did as she asked. “I really,
really
like you, too, or I never would’ve done what I did last night or what I’m going to do again tonight if you’re willing.”

His snort of laughter made her smile. “If I’m
willing
?”

“Well, I don’t want to get cocky or anything.”

He took hold of her hand and placed it over his erection, drawing a gasp of surprise from her at his bold move. “Safe to get cocky.”

They shared a laugh that turned into a kiss as a huge weight lifted off his chest. It was safe to relax and let it happen with her. She knew what he’d been through and understood what he needed.

“Feel better?” she asked.

“Yeah, except now I’ve got a whole other problem. Seems to crop up a lot when you’re around.”

She glanced at the unmistakable bulge in his shorts.

“Don’t look at it. That doesn’t help.”

She bit her lip as she glanced over his shoulder at the bedside clock. “We have half an hour before we need to be there.”

“
Katie
…”

“What? I was just pointing out that we do, in fact, have some time.”

“No, we don’t. I have to stop and get something for your mom and we’d have to shower again and… God, what the hell am I saying? Take your clothes off. Hurry. We don’t have much time.”

Katie fell on the bed laughing, but she didn’t take off her dress. “I didn’t expect you to take me so seriously.”

“If you’re you and you’re offering sex, I’m taking you seriously.”

“I’m sure my mom has gone to a lot of trouble for tonight. I don’t want to be late, and if you talk me out of my clothes, we’ll be late.”

“You’re right about that.” He leaned in to kiss her. “Do I get a rain check for later?”

“Absolutely.”

Shane got up and then offered her a hand, drawing her into his arms when she was standing. “Thanks for letting me talk it out.”

“Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me what’s on your mind.”

“I’m trusting you with a lot more than what’s on my mind. I hope you know that.”

“I do, Shane. And that works both ways.”

“Good,” he said, kissing her again. “Now, what should I get for your mom?”

The doctor had asked them to stay close for the night in case Maddie had any complications, so they were spending another night at Uncle Frank’s house. She’d done nothing but sleep since they’d arrived a couple of hours ago. They’d been told to expect her to be sore for a couple of days with spotty bleeding, but otherwise, she’d be back to normal in a week or so.

They’d also been told they could try again to conceive after she’d had two regular periods. Maddie hadn’t reacted to any of this information, and other than allowing him to help her get dressed, she hadn’t reacted to him either.

Now Mac was left with an entire evening to himself and only his own unpleasant thoughts to keep him company. Would Maddie bounce back from this heartbreaking loss, or would she be different now? Would she ever talk to him about it, or was he expected to get through it on his own?

His dad had left shortly after Maddie came out of surgery, with promises to check in with him later. Mac still couldn’t believe his father had come from the island to sit with him while Maddie was in surgery. But of course he shouldn’t have been surprised. His dad had always been there for him, in good times and bad, propping him up, steering him clear of trouble and supporting him and his siblings in any way he could.

His ringing cell phone snapped him out of his thoughts. Mac glanced at the caller ID and wasn’t surprised to see the word BRAT on the screen. “Hey, brat.”

“Honestly, Mac. I’m calling to check on you and Maddie, which of course you know, and you still have to call me that?” Janey asked.

“Helps to keep things normal.”

“Then by all means, call me whatever you want.”

“Thanks, brat.”

“How is she?”

“Physically, it all went well from what we were told. Routine, if such a thing can be routine. Emotionally? I don’t know. She’s barely said a word to me since we got the news at the clinic.”

“How about you?”

“I don’t know about that either. I’m all over the place. Mostly I’m worried about her and the way she’s internalizing it. It’s like I’m not even here or like it wasn’t my kid, too. Like I said. I don’t know how I am.”

“It’s a fresh loss, Mac. She had to get past the medical business before she could process it. I’m sure she’ll be back to normal in no time.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“When have you ever known me not to be right?”

“Such a brat.”

“That’s why you love me.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“I love you, too, Mac, and I’m so sorry you guys are going through this.”

“Thanks.” He sat on the sofa and pressed his fingers to his eyes, as if that could contain his tears.

“Are you going to be all right?”

“Eventually.”

“I’m here if you need me. You know that, right?”

“Yeah. Thanks, brat.”

“Any time. Will you be home tomorrow?”

“That’s the plan, unless she has complications.”

“I’ll bring dinner over.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

After he ended the call with Janey, Adam called, then Evan and then Grant, each of them expressing sorrow for his loss and concern for Maddie—and him. Talking to his siblings made Mac feel less alone and helped to pass the time, but it was still only eight, and he was starting to feel hungry even though the thought of eating made him sort of nauseated.

The phone rang again, this time with a Providence number he didn’t recognize. Thinking it was someone from the hospital, he took the call.

“Hi, Mac, it’s Mallory. I thought I’d get your voice mail.”

“Oh, hey,” he said to the half sister he’d only recently learned he had. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, but I just spoke to… to Big Mac, and he told me you were in town and why. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.”

“He said you were staying at his brother’s house on the east side, which is where I live. I was going to leave a message to let you know I was nearby if I could do anything for you or your wife.”

“That’s very nice of you. Thanks.”

“Do you need anything?”

Mac hesitated but only for a moment. “Do you know where I can get a pizza around here?”

“I certainly do.”

“Throw in a couple of beers, and we’ll be friends for life.”

She laughed. “You got it. What do you like on the pizza?”

“Sausage and onion?”

“Hey, me, too!”

“Really?”

“Yep. Thin crust or thick?”

“Thin.”

“We must be related.”

“I heard a rumor that we are, and P.S., this is really nice of you.”

“I’m happy to do it. I’ll be there in thirty minutes or so.”

“Did Dad give you the address?”

“He did. I’m three blocks away. Is there anything I can get for your wife?”

“She’s out cold, and they said she would be for most of the night.”

“All right, then. I’ll see you shortly.”

“Great, thanks again.” Mac put down the phone, feeling oddly grateful to a woman he’d met only once before, when she’d come to the island to seek out the father who hadn’t known she existed. What a strange day that had been, but because it mattered so much to the dad who mattered so much to them, they were willing to make an effort where Mallory was concerned.

Mac had been prepared to dislike her. After all, he loved being the oldest sibling in his family as well as the oldest grandchild on the McCarthy side of the family. Since Mallory was older than he was, she bumped him off his oldest-child pedestal. But there was nothing not to like about her. She’d come into his parents’ home on the day his father told them about her and hadn’t tried to be anything other than a potential new friend to them.

Janey, who’d just had P.J. under difficult circumstances, had chosen not to meet Mallory that day. Hopefully, they would meet this coming weekend when Mallory returned to the island to get to know her new family better.

It was nice of her to reach out to him and to bring him dinner. While he waited for her, he answered a concerned text from Luke and took calls from his mother, Maddie’s mother and her sister, Tiffany, all of whom were looking for assurances that Maddie was okay. What was he supposed to say? No, she’s not okay. She’s traumatized and silent and nothing at all like her usual self.

But that wasn’t what he said. He told them what they needed to hear—that she was resting after a tough day and they’d be home tomorrow, barring any complications.

He’d just hung up with Tiffany when the doorbell rang. As he opened the door to Mallory, her resemblance to his father’s mother struck Mac all over again. The photo of his grandmother as a young woman had been on his father’s desk for as long as Mac could remember, and looking at Mallory with her curly dark hair and brown eyes was like looking at her.

“Come in.” Relieving her of the bag she carried, he stepped aside to admit her, his stomach growling as the aroma of pizza made his mouth water. Mac led her to the kitchen in the back of the house, took two of the beers from the six-pack and cracked them open before stashing the rest in the empty fridge. “Thanks again for this.”

“No problem at all. I hadn’t eaten yet either.” Mallory served up the pizza on the paper plates the restaurant had provided, and they ate in silence.

“Really good,” Mac said between bites.

“My favorite.”

“I can see why.” He noticed her glancing at him occasionally before refocusing on her pizza. “What? Do I have sauce on my face?”

“No,” she said with a laugh. “It’s just… You know, first time I’ve ever had pizza with my brother.” She shrugged. “It’s kind of cool.”

“For me, too.”

“So you don’t all hate me for showing up unexpectedly and staking my claim on your father?”