One Click Love

by T Gephart

  “Okay, why don’t I put this overnight bag—that you are refusing to ignore—away and we go spend some time with your amazing family. I’m positive it’s been more than a week since I’ve seen my darling nephews, and honestly, the idea of sitting at home by myself is kind of depressing.”

  “Well, far be it for me to turn down an extra pair of hands wrangling children. We’ll even get takeout, so no one has to cook. Annnnnnd since there will be no dishes to do, you will have all the time in the world to tell me everything about Mack after we get my little cherubs off to bed.” She flashed me a not-so-innocent smile which meant my lack of information had reached its limit.

  “Deal, but I’m buying ice cream as well. I need to maintain my place as their favorite aunt, and I’m not above using all means possible.”

  Gayle laughed, squeezing my hand. “Not that there is any danger of that because they adore you. But if you were to take them to a fire station to show them the trucks, you’d probably be elevated to a new level.”

  “Hmmm.” I tapped my finger on my chin in thought. “I know a guy.”

  “I bet you do.”

  Hayden

  DINNER WITH GAYLE, Matthew, and their boys had been a lot of fun. Mack had messaged me a couple of times but had been too busy to talk, leaving me a very sweet voice message for when I woke up. I didn’t have time to call him back, having slept through my alarm for the first time in forever. I raced through my condo, throwing on clothes and skipping breakfast just so I could make it to work on time. And that pipe dream about catching up on medical transcriptions on the weekend, yeah, that didn’t happen either.

  Being too happy to be angry at myself, I managed to get into the store, get my personal belongings stowed away and ready before the doors opened. Penny had given me a we’re-talkin’-later look, adding a nodding smile as she handed me some new ladies blouses that needed to be hung and put on display. Thank God my job required minimal cerebral involvement. If I’d been a surgeon, someone would have died on the table for sure.

  But not only did I make it through my day without killing anyone—not as easy as it sounded when you worked in customer service—but I’d gotten through it relatively unscathed. No one demanded to speak to my manager, sprout the customer-is-always-right speech, or be rude. It was a modern-day miracle, my smile uncontainable as I finished my shift and went to collect my bag.

  “I know you were not going to leave here without telling me what happened.” Penny’s hands rested on her hips as she tapped her foot. “You just were not.”

  Other sales associates who were finishing at the same time looked at me with wild eyes, likely wondering what I had done and glad they hadn’t attracted Penny’s attention. Little did they know my infraction hadn’t been professional, and I didn’t care enough to enlighten them.

  “It has to be quick, I’m having guests for dinner.” I pulled out my phone, already concerned I wasn’t going to have enough time to shop, cook, and make myself look presentable before eight. I should have invited them for a midnight feast instead, given myself a fighting chance.

  Penny nodded excitedly, pointing to her office as she lowered her voice. “Then be quick and talk fast. Is the Uber driver coming? He’s not really an Uber driver is he.”

  Waiting until she closed the door, I let out a huge breath. “No, he’s a fireman. And yes, he and his son and daughter-in-law are coming for dinner. And I haven’t cooked for anyone but myself in a long time, and haven’t even thought about what I’m going to wear.”

  “Whoa! He not only has a kid, but one old enough to be married? When did he become a dad? When he was like twelve?” Penny’s eyes widened, unable to hide her surprise.

  I smiled, thinking about how wonderful Mack would have been with a baby. “Well technically, yes, he is old enough, but Riley isn’t his biological son. He kind of adopted him—not really, because there’s no paperwork—but for all intents and purposes it’s his kid. So, yeah, it’s complicated.”

  “Jes-us, I’ll say. Still, he looks like that, so I’d put up with all kinds of complications.” She elbowed me playfully. “And all jokes aside, find out what moisturizer he uses because his skin is a-mazing. Also, firemen are hot. And I’m not trying to be cute by saying “hot” because of fire and all that bullshit, I’m talking h-o-t. Seriously, I was going to offer to set you up with one of my single male friends, but you don’t need my help.”

  “Actually, if you have like five minutes, I would like some help. Short of wearing the same skinny jeans again for like the third time, I don’t have anything casual yet nice to wear. I want to make a good first impression, but wearing anything too fancy while I’m trying to cook won’t work out well for me either.”

  The clock was ticking, and heading into the changing room and trying on outfits was a luxury I couldn’t afford. It had taken me thirty minutes of umming and ahhhing to decide on the skinny jeans, and they’d just been jeans. I needed an objective eye, and I needed it quick.

  “Girl, I’ve got you. Take a seat, I’ll be right back.” She flicked her long blond hair over her shoulder, disappearing from the office before she’d even finished her sentence.

  Dinner was going to be oven-baked chicken pieces with vegetables and a salad. One, because chicken pieces were quicker and easier to cook than a whole fucking chicken, and two, it looked prettier on the plate than hacking chunks of flesh off a bird carcass. I also wasn’t sure if Quinn had any issues eating while being pregnant. While I knew she was in her last trimester, Gayle hadn’t been able to stomach anything but grilled chicken and vegetables until she delivered. Last thing I wanted when I was trying to impress was send the poor girl running to the bathroom after lowering a plate in front of her.

  So, in addition to cooking this—hopefully impressive—masterpiece, I also needed to get the groceries as well. And while there was a Whole Foods on my way home that had precut chicken ready to toss in the oven, I wasn’t able to throw my hand out and stop the minutes like Benedict Cumberbatch did in the Avengers. Shame too, because as hard as his name was to pronounce, I could have used the skill.

  Penny ran back into her office, slamming the door shut behind her while dumping an armful of clothes on the chair opposite her desk. “Okay—and I mean this in the least sexual harassment way—strip.”

  “I am not wearing fuchsia,” I picked up a fitted blazer she’d paired with some tailored black pants before turning to a dress. “And plaid? Really? I’m cooking dinner, not hiking a trail with a lumberjack.” I neglected to inform her I managed to survive the entire 90s without a flannel shirt, knowing she was probably too young to even remember the decade.

  She rolled her eyes, passing me what looked to be an oversized crew neck sweater. “Fine, then wear the black dress. But belt it so it gives you some shape.”

  “This isn’t a dress. I haven’t got the legs for this.” I held it against my body, the majority of my khakis visible underneath. “You heard the part where I said I wanted to make a good impression, right? Not have them wondering if I lost my damn mind and forgot my damn pants.”

  Penny laughed, amused that there’d be a high probability of me flashing my ass to my guests. “Wear thick opaque tights. They’re almost like leggings, no one will see, I promise.”

  Too late to argue, and deciding I was going to take a chance, I did as she said and pulled off my work clothes right there in her office. We were probably breaking about five HR policies, not to mention I was literally in my bra and panties in front of my boss, but I pulled on the sweater/dress, exposing my ghostly white legs.

  “See, it’s not so short.” She handed me the belt. “It looks great.”

  With no mirror in front of me, I was taking her word for how great it looked, but glad it at least felt kind of comfortable. Unfortunately that feeling didn’t last long, Penny grabbing me a pair Spanx that sucked me in so tight I felt like an eighteenth-century virgin at her cotillion. And then we added those opaque tights, which thankfully were thick enough t
hat it was like wearing pants.

  “You look great.” Penny took a step back, admiring her handiwork. “Let me cut off the tags and I’ll ring them up for you. And don’t forget the most important part,” she laughed. “Employee discount.”

  That was a positive, grabbing my work clothes and shoving them into a carry bag while following her to the registers. Heads turned as we walked, whispers audible above the music piped through the P.A., wondering why the hell I was dressed up like that. Had to admit, I was kind of wondering myself.

  First impressions, I reminded myself. And Penny was a lot closer to Quinn’s age than I was, not to mention had gone through the intensive Target merchandising program. So whether I liked it or not, I was going to wear the outfit she’d chosen.

  The one positive about the whole episode was at least I didn’t need to change. I was already dressed so could get to Whole Foods, grab the groceries and start cooking without needing to stand in front of my closet for an hour. And once I got the food in the oven, I could put some makeup on and do my hair, and get the whole look completed before Mack arrived with Riley and Quinn. I wasn’t even sure if they were coming together, almost wishing I’d told him to come earlier and make sure I didn’t die from a compressed rib cage courtesy of the Spanx.

  It was difficult to move, driving, shopping, and then cooking had been a challenge. But I’d managed to complete all three, getting to the store, and then home, the baking tray of chicken and vegetables sliding into the oven just on schedule.

  My hair was still a mess and I was still wearing the foundation and mascara from earlier in the day, but unless Mack and company arrived annoyingly early, I had time. Not enough to look at YouTube videos and work out how to make beach waves with aluminum foil and a hairdryer, but ample time to wash my face, reapply makeup and galvanize my hair with the tub of product I’d picked up before leaving work.

  I’d just finished looking in the mirror, not overly impressed with the results, when Mack had texted me that he was downstairs, waiting to be buzzed in. While I had managed to make myself look presentable—my hair tamed, my winged eyes almost perfect—I felt like I’d put on a body suit and was walking around in someone else’s skin.

  Too late to change—and wondering if it wasn’t just usual internal self-criticism—I sucked in as deep a breath as the Spanx would allow and hit the release for the external front door. Then I plastered the smile across my face, walked out into the hall and waited for everyone to arrive.

  Mack took the last step onto the landing, his eyes looking me up and down like he wasn’t sure it was me. “Hey. Riley and Quinn aren’t too far behind, they’ll be here soon.”

  There was a weird tension between us. Me, not sure I wanted him to notice how much effort I’d gone to, or whether I pretended like that was how I always looked when I entertained guests. And him, well I had no idea what was going through his mind.

  “Should we wait in the hall?” I asked, the fact we were still standing there not helping the situation any. “Or do you want to go inside and have a drink until they get here.”

  He didn’t answer right away, taking a step closer and touching my cheek. “Let’s go inside. Let me say hello to you properly before they get here.”

  My heart flipped, part of the anxiety I felt earlier easing as he followed me back into my condo and closed the door.

  The smell of roasted chicken and vegetables wafting through the air mixed with the manly scent of his soap and shampoo. He looked amazing, dressed in a pair of fitted blue jeans and a casual untucked button-down, he pulled off his jacket as his body closed the gap between us. I couldn’t breathe—and not just because of the Spanx—my senses rather than my sight tracking his movements as he draped his jacket over the back of my couch as my eyes stayed glued to his. He was unshaven, the stubble smattering across his jaw so sexy I couldn’t help but reach up and touch it.

  “This is new.” It prickled under my fingertips as I followed the line of his face. “I like it.”

  His eyes moved down my body, sweeping up and down before locking back on mine. “Looks like I’m not the only one trying something new.”

  He was too hard to read, not sure whether he liked it or not. And I was either going to make out with him to distract myself or just plain ask outright. “My boss—err, Penny, you met her at the club when you picked me up—styled me.”

  His chin dipped as his brow rose. “Do you like it?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but I guess I needed a change.” I answered honestly, not feeling exactly like myself but not hating it either. “Do you like it? Does it turn you on?” Feeling brave I asked exactly what I wanted to know, not bothering to fish for compliments.

  “Hayden, if you want to change something—whether it’s the way you dress or something else—then do it. But let me make myself clear, as far as I’m concerned, you’re perfect. And the only thing you need to do to turn me on is show up.”

  I wasn’t sure who moved first, if it was me or him, our mouths somehow meeting in the middle with no further discussion. I loved the feel of it, my lips parting and welcoming his tongue as his hands pulled me roughly against him.

  Concerns for my appearance or burning dinner were forgotten as my fingers pushed under his shirt and got cozy with his abs. Lord, Penny was right. When he looked like he did, who cared how complicated things were.

  He pushed me against the wall, his hands going on their own exploratory mission as his mouth refused to leave mine. I loved the contradiction; how gentle and considerate he was while still able to kiss me hard and desperate.

  A buzzing sound was the first thing that broke the spell, the cursing under his breath, the second, pulling his mouth away while holding me still. “That will be Riley and Quinn.”

  My head nodded, or at least I thought it did, knowing I should go check dinner or my face or at the very least move from against the wall. It wouldn’t be a good look inviting them into my home for the first time disheveled with lipstick smeared across my mouth, but as Mack’s hands moved down to my hips, I was seriously considering it.

  “Right. We should buzz them up.” My breath came out in ragged bursts, suddenly feeling too hot under all my layers. “You want to go down and walk them up? Give me a minute?” To find my brain cells and work out how I was going to get through dinner without crawling into his lap.

  A smile edged across his lips. “Sure. We’ll pick up where we left off after they leave.”

  While they were downstairs waiting, I was mentally trying to calculate how long that would be. “I like the sound of that.”

  Before either of us exercised poor restraint, Mack took a step back and headed to the door. He glanced over his shoulder—his wicked grin freezing me in my spot—before pulling open the door and disappearing out into the hall.

  I didn’t have much time, gathering my scattered hormones and reining in my pulse as I ran to my room so I could survey the carnage. Thankfully, it wasn’t too bad, my lipstick only needing a quick reapplication and my hair to be smoothed out. Making it out into the living room by the time they were entering my condo.

  Mack was first, one hand holding the door open and allowing Quinn to go ahead, the stunning blond, more waddling than walking, was followed by her equally impressive husband. They were a good-looking pair, albeit exceptionally tall, Riley at least three inches taller than Mack and Quinn towering over me. Both of them were beaming, wearing matching satisfied smiles while their hands interlocked like they couldn’t bear to be away from each other. And if the way they exchanged heated glances was any indication, it was no wonder why she was pregnant.

  “Hi! I’m Quinn.” Her pretty hazel eyes met mine, unwrapping her hand from her husband’s. “And you must be our new mom!”

  Mack cursed, mouthing a silent apology as I blinked back in surprise, the energy radiating off her like a bomb blast. “Errr, umm. I’m Hayden. So nice to meet you.” I held out my hand, not really sure what to do.

  “Psssh, we hug in this f
amily.” She shook her head at my offer of a handshake and pulled me into an awkward embrace.

  “Quinn,” Mack warned, rolling his eyes. “Can we at least get into the condo before you start?” He held up the bottle of wine he’d obviously gotten from his car. “I forgot to bring this up earlier.” A sheepish grin hinted he’d been just as anxious to see me as I had him.

  “And I brought beer.” Riley held up the six-pack he had in the hand not around his wife. While she’d let go of him, he’d managed to reposition his palm to her lower back. And if I wasn’t so distracted by his cheeky grin, I’d have thought it was adorable.

  “Well, that’s a good thing.” I regretted turning down the second bottle Mack had offered. “Please come in, dinner will be ready soon.”

  Quinn sniffed the air, pulling away and sidling up against Riley. “Wow, something smells good. You know Mack is a really good cook too. You guys must never want to go out to eat.”

  The girl had an unshakeable confidence I couldn’t help but admire. She walked in without the hesitations I had of meeting her, her large swollen belly barely contained in a relaxed jersey dress and a pair of leggings. She was dressed comfortably—something I envied as well—but stylish, not seeming to care what anyone thought.

  I nodded, agreeing I would have no problem with Mack cooking for me every night without pointing out my skills weren’t that great. It felt kind of nice to take the compliment without offering a rebuttal, and something I was doing more of since meeting Mack. “Thanks, I hope you like it. My sister-in-law struggled with nausea when she was pregnant with her boys, so I didn’t want to make anything too fancy. And I just love your dress.”

  Quinn beamed, lighting up like a Christmas tree. “Awww, you made something special for me? Hayden, that is so thoughtful, thank you so much.” Her hands moved to her belly and gave it a rub. “And this is one of the few things that still fits me. But it’s sooooo nice just being comfortable. Honestly, I’d have worn my PJs if I’d known you better.”