“I’m actually shocked,” Holly tells the group when Bell finishes telling her story.
“Oh, believe me, I wasn’t. Before we moved in together, I didn’t think he would be ready for at least a couple of years, but within a week, it was as if a light had been switched. The man traveled from zero to one hundred.” She looks down at her ring.
“I heard him talking about it with Jackson when I first moved into the clubhouse,” I reveal.
“And you didn’t tell us? Girl, we need to have a word.” Holly shakes her head in disappointment.
“Well, I didn’t want to ruin the surprise for Bell.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. I already had my suspicions,” Bell assures me I did the right thing.
“I knew when I saw your smirk you knew something was up.”
“We had only talked about it the night before. I knew it was coming. I just didn’t know when.”
“Well, who won the bet?” Manda asks, obviously in on the bet.
“Not me, I had them down for next year.” Holly shakes her head.
“Me too.” Kadence bows out.
“I’ve been out for weeks. I thought they were gonna announce when they moved in together.” Lissy lets out a disappointed sigh.
“Don’t worry, I thought for sure it wouldn’t be for two years.” Manda laughs, way out on her guess.
“I think you were the closest.” Kelly turns to me.
“I said Thanksgiving.”
“Yep, you were. So you win.”
“I did?” I look to Bell and watch her grin.
“Drinks on you, Kenzie!” She cheers, offering me a high five and as quick as they were drilling me about Beau, our girls’ night out turns into an engagement celebration for Bell and Jesse.
I listen to the conversation, but keep my gaze off Lissy, not wanting to draw attention to the discomfort she causes in me. Bell, oblivious to our tension, begins to chat about her and Jesse’s plans for the wedding. I tune out for a while, not that I don’t care for weddings or planning them, but just to take stock of my life the last few months.
As much as I’ve finally found the peace I’ve been searching for since leaving Chad, the guilt is starting to eat me alive. Guilt that my past could come back and hurt these people who have taken me in. On top of the guilt, I miss having Heidi around and having nights like this. I miss the closeness and being able to share everything with her. Sure I have Beau. But there are some things I never want to share with him.
“You okay?” Kadence pulls me out of my head a little while later.
“Yeah, I’m great.” I take another sip of my wine.
“You know, if you ever want to talk. I’m here, Kenz.” She offers me her hand and I give it a small squeeze.
“Thank you, Kadence, but I’m fine.” We don’t do deep again, and the night progresses along with more laughing, drinking, and dancing. After finishing off my third glass of wine, I stand to use the bathroom.
“I’ll be back, ladies. Just heading to the bathroom.” I stand and start to move toward the stairs.
“Wait up, Mackenzie. I’ll come with you,” Lissy calls out before I can make it away.
Shit.
“Sure.” I slow my escape and let her catch up. She smiles as we take the stairs, neither of us speaking.
“Mackenzie, have I done something to upset you?” she asks when we hit the lower floor and start to move to the bathroom.
“No, why?” I push open the door to the bathroom door and let her walk in before me.
“I just wanted to clear the air.” She stops short of the toilet stall.
“I don’t know why you would need to, Lissy.” I decide to play dumb.
“I know you know about me and Beau.” I know what she’s trying to do, but I don’t want to discuss this with her. Not here. Not now. Not ever.
“Lissy, I have no problem with you. Don’t make one.” I enter my stall and close the door. Maybe that was a bitch move. Maybe I just made it worse, but what does she expect? I would much rather we pretend she hasn’t had sex with my man.
After using the toilet, I step up to the vanity and wash my hands. Lissy is already done and stands awkwardly off to the side.
“I’ll meet you back upstairs.” She turns to leave when I keep my eyes in front of me.
“Wait, Lissy,” I call back to her before she goes. “I’m not trying to be a bitch. I just really don’t want to discuss you and Beau.” I reach for the paper towel and dry my hands.
“I get this is the last thing you want to talk about, I do. I just wanted to clear the air. We have mutual friends. I don’t want to make it any more awkward.”
“Well, consider it clear,” I offer her what she needs. She nods once then leaves. I give it a few extra minutes before following her out. I don’t make my way straight upstairs, instead opting for the bar instead.
“You okay, Mackenzie?” Jesse asks when I step up to the bar.
“Yeah, just wanted some water.” He gives me a wink and asks one of the bartenders to get it for me.
“Congratulations on your engagement. Good job on the rock.” I praise his choice and watch him grin.
“She talking about me?”
“Of course.” I watch him look up toward the VIP section with a smile on his face.
“Jesse, I need you.” One of his staff members calls out taking his attention. I spin around and check out the club. It’s a fancy place, probably the hottest place in Rushford to hang out. When I first heard the club owned it, I didn’t believe it.
“Mackenzie Morre.” A deep voice startles me, sending chills down my spine at the tone he used to call my name.
Fuck, who is this?
“Who’s asking?” I question as I twist my body to face them.
“I have a message for you, from Mr. Morre.” He steps in closer, invading my space.
“Step the hell back,” I grit out, as unease settles around me.
“You’re not going to get away with what you’ve done.” My body locks at his words and I swallow past the bile forming at the base of my throat. On the outside I look like I’m holding it together, but on the inside, anxiety rips through me, clouding my conscience worse than it already is.
Oh, God.
“Have your attention now?” I’m about to respond when Jesse steps up beside me.
“Step the fuck back from the lady now, before I fucking make you.” Jesse’s warning is enough to have the stranger backtracking without another word. I follow his retreat, watching him fade back into the crowd, disappearing out of my sight.
“You all right, Kenz?”
“Yeah.” I keep my gaze out on the crowd as an uneasy feeling washes over me.
Is he watching me?
“Hey, you know that guy?” Jesse taps my shoulder, jolting me back. I turn to face the bar and look up at him.
“Haven’t seen him before. He just wouldn’t take no for an answer.” I grab my glass of water and wash down my lie with a large sip.
“You sure? You look like you just saw a ghost.” Jesse’s eyes narrow slightly, silently assessing me.
“I’m good,” I lie again. This time the water doesn’t wash it away so well. I wasn’t good, but I wasn’t about to tell Jesse.
My past flashes before me and I can’t stop it.
I’m not safe here anymore. What I’ve been running from is never going to leave me. I have to get away.
I can’t risk my freedom.
Not for Beau or my newfound family.
Past Mackenzie
“I’m done for the night if you don’t need anything, Fred?” I hang up my apron and reach for my handbag. It’s my second week on the job and Fred, my new boss, has already taken me under his wing.
“You sit down and let me fix you some dinner,” he calls out just like every night this week.