One Click Love

by T Gephart

  “God, that sounds great. I’d live in mine if it were socially acceptable.” I laughed, only half joking. “Well, I better go into the kitchen and check on dinner. Why don’t you all take a seat in the living room and I’ll join you shortly.”

  “You need any help?” Mack offered, hesitating while Quinn and Riley settled on the couch.

  “Nope, got it all under control.” Having no idea if I actually did. “Just relax.” At least I hoped someone would be able to. “I’ll be right back.”

  Then before I ruined what had been a fairly decent first meeting, I disappeared into the kitchen to make sure I didn’t char dinner. And to get a glass for that wine because I sure as hell was going to need it.

  Mack

  “I THOUGHT I asked you to tone it down.” I shook my head as Quinn eased into the loveseat.

  She shrugged, not even trying to hide her pleased grin. “Mack, this is me toned down. Was it the mom thing? She knows I was joking, and if not, it’s important we find out what kind of sense of humor she has right up front.”

  “Quinn’s right. You clearly make piss-poor decisions when it comes to your dating life, so whether you want to admit it or not, you need us.” Riley took the seat right beside her, handing me a cold beer. “Although so far, so good. Let’s see how she weathers the rest of the night.”

  “North,” I warned, not in the mood for his shenanigans, especially when he had help. “Whatever the two of you plan on doing, don’t. It was her idea to invite you, and you are going to sit, be grateful, and not treat her like an experiment. Consider it a personal favor, for me.”

  “Chief, this is for you. You think we’re doing it just to amuse ourselves?” He rolled his eyes when I pegged him with a glare. “Okay, just to amuse ourselves? You’re an important guy to both of us, and it’s clear you’re not taking your own advice and going slow, so it’s up to us to look out for you.”

  “And how would you know what I’m doing?” He wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t like I was dropping a knee and proposing either. And regardless of the timing, it just felt right with Hayden.

  “Chief, come on. We’ve played cards for how many years? You suck at a bluff.” His eyes widened to further his point. “Epically bad.”

  Quinn pointed to my cheek. “You also have lipstick on your face that you obviously tried to wipe off, and we’re sitting in her living room waiting for dinner. So if this is a fling, you are doing it completely wrong.”

  “And do we need to remind you of Melinda?” North unhelpfully added. “She is still trying to screw with your life. I know she’s still calling you, wanting fuck know’s what. And at some point in your life, you thought she was a good choice.”

  I was just about to remind both of them I was a grown-ass man and didn’t need their help when Hayden walked in. She had an empty wineglass in one hand, balancing a tumbler filled with ice and some liquid in the other. “It’s lemonade. Not homemade, but organic from Whole Foods.” She handed it to Quinn. “So, are you done talking about me or should I come back in another ten minutes?”

  Fuck.

  I wondered how much of it she’d heard, pissed off I hadn’t shut it down earlier. “We weren’t—”

  “We totally were.” Quinn cut me off, accepting the glass and taking a sip. “But you can totally talk about me after I leave. In fact, you can start right now while I’m here. I’m fascinated to hear what you think.”

  Well, I guess a nice night with regular conversation was too much to ask for. “Hayden.”

  I’d barely gotten her name out when she put her hand on my arm and joined me on the couch. She shook her head, reaching for the wine and opening up the bottle. “I think you’re stunning. There aren’t many women who would look as radiant as you do so close to delivering and I love that you speak your mind. It’s a good quality to have, and no one should ever make you feel like you need to stop. And if I could go back in time, it’s exactly what I’d tell myself when I was your age.”

  My mouth shut, whatever I was going to say lost as she poured herself a glass of the red I’d brought and lifted it to her lips. “I also know Mack is a special guy, and if I were you, I’d want to make sure whoever he dates is worthy of him.”

  North leaned forward. “Look, it’s not personal. He has always looked out for me, I’m just returning the favor.”

  “Hey,” I waved my hand, feeling the need to remind everyone I was still in the room. “I don’t need looking out for.” Especially not where Hayden was concerned. “And I’m not sure what you overheard—”

  “Most of it.” She grimaced in apology. “The walls aren’t very thick, and the condo isn’t big. But if it makes you feel better, I love that they’re so concerned.” She shifted her focus to North and Quinn. “Honestly, I’m not offended. And Melinda . . .” She stopped, measuring what she was about to say. “Well, obviously she must be crazy.”

  “I like her,” Riley leaned toward me, stage-whispering. “And calling Melinda crazy is an insult to crazy people.” He winked at Hayden.

  Jesus Christ.

  “Surely we have better things to talk about?” I was positive discussing my ex-wife with my current girlfriend, North, and Quinn wasn’t a good idea. But that horse had already bolted. “But if there’s something you want to ask me, go ahead and ask.”

  Last thing I wanted was for Hayden to think I was keeping shit from her. Didn’t matter it was neither the time nor the place for the discussion, and I’d rather get a root canal. I wasn’t interested in being an asshole who she thought was playing her.

  She bit her lip, hesitating. “She’s still trying to screw with you?”

  Thanks a lot, North.

  “Melinda has issues with boundaries. But they are her issues, not mine. And maybe earlier in the piece, I felt sorry for her, so I wasn’t as firm with her as I should’ve been. And now that I am, it pissed her off. Again, her issue, not mine.”

  What I didn’t mention was Melinda’s request I impregnate her. Partly because it was too fucking insane to even repeat. Insane. And partly because there’d be a better chance of North fathering Melinda’s child, and he’d hack off his own dick before he’d cheat on Quinn, least of all with someone he hated.

  It wouldn’t happen.

  Ever.

  Which was the same way I felt about it.

  Yeah, it was early days and we were still feeling it out, but I’ve never so much as glanced at another woman once I’d made a commitment, and I sure as shit wasn’t going to start.

  Of course, Hayden didn’t have the benefit of that rock-solid understanding so letting her know my ex-wife was looking for a sperm donor wasn’t going to do me any favors. Especially since none of it mattered. I hadn’t spoken—and wouldn’t be—to Melinda since the day after my birthday, so all of it was a moot point. Not that it changed the fact I was a hypocrite, deliberately withholding that piece of information after I made a big song and dance about not playing her, but it was for the best.

  At least that was the bullshit I told myself so I didn’t feel like a complete dick.

  “Anything else?” I looked around, waiting for commentary from the peanut gallery. “Let’s not be shy. I’d say the expectations of this being a run-of-the-mill dinner have well and truly gone, so no point holding anything back.”

  “So, I set up the dating profile for Mack.” Quinn raised her hand. “But I never expected him to actually use it, and I almost died when Riley said he had. I still can’t believe he is dating someone.” She laughed, clearly pleased at the result. “I think I’ve even impressed myself.”

  Riley wrapped his arm around his wife. “She can’t help herself.”

  “She can, she chooses not to,” I pointed out, not sure why the hell she set the damn thing up if she didn’t think I was going to use it. Of course it worked out for the best even if we were having the strangest dinner conversation I’d ever had.

  Hayden blew out a long breath, putting down her glass of wine. “Well if we’re being honest, I
really want to change out of these clothes. I feel like I’m dying.”

  She pulled at the collar of her dress, fanning her face. “I don’t have an ex-husband who calls me. Pretty sure he did it as little as possible even when we were married. And I didn’t have to be coerced into setting up the dating profile, I may have even begged my sister-in-law to help me so I could find a match. But this,” she pinched the fabric of her dress, “isn’t me. I don’t want to look like someone I’m not. And now I just feel like I’m wearing someone else’s clothes.”

  “Girlfriend, life is too short to wear stuff you don’t like,” Quinn laughed. “And while that sweater dress is really cute, you should really wear what you want.”

  It had been obvious when I arrived that Hayden had gone to some effort. The dress, the hair, the makeup—all of it not really her style. Not that I’d have given a shit, if that’s what she wanted. But I could tell she was hot and uncomfortable and that didn’t sit right with me. That she’d done it for my benefit? Well that just made it a hundred-times worse.

  “Okay, so here is what’s going to happen.” I slapped my hands on my thighs, wanting to get the night back on track. “Hayden, I want you to go into your room and change. Put on your pajamas if that’s what you want, no one will care.”

  Quinn coughed into her hand, not even attempting to be tactful. “Well I will because I didn’t get to wear mine, but sure, okay.”

  “No one will care.” I ignored Quinn, knowing she wasn’t serious. “And while you change, I’ll check on dinner. North and Quinn . . . I don’t know, you guys can set the table or something.”

  Telling someone what to do in their house wasn’t cool. The possibility Hayden was going to tell me to go fuck myself was high. But she didn’t. Instead, reaching across kissing me before kicking up her chin and rising to her feet.

  “I’ll be right back and I promise it won’t be pajamas.” She nodded at Quinn. “And Mack, thanks so much for checking on dinner. It should almost be time to eat anyway.”

  With a promise I was on my way to the kitchen, she disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Quinn and North to hopefully stay out of trouble. I wasn’t sure their initial plan had been sidelined, but I was hoping we could at least eat before any drama developed. And Hayden’s chicken smelled really good.

  Like she’d predicted, it was ready so I got it out of the oven, then went to check on her in the bedroom. It wasn’t so much that I thought she needed my help —more like knew she didn’t—but I wanted to have a word without the audience.

  “Hey, can I come in?” I rapped my knuckles on the closed door. “It’s just me.”

  She pulled it open, her arm sliding into a top as she finished getting dressed. “I’m almost done. But you can come in as long as you promise not to distract me.”

  “Not making any such promises.” I kissed her gently before closing the door. “And for the record, I like this much better.”

  Most of the makeup had been washed from her face, her hair loosened so it hung around her shoulders. She’d also lost the dress and put on a pair of black leggings like Quinn, the bright red V-neck top another big improvement. That I could see her cleavage was an added bonus.

  “I wanted to make a good impression. I know how much they both mean to you.” She fixed the hem of her top, letting her arms drop to her side.

  I tilted her chin, forcing myself not to kiss her because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop. “They do mean a lot to me. As do you.”

  Her eyes got wide, my words a surprise to her even though they weren’t to me. “So, let’s go out there and enjoy dinner without worrying about anything else. Because they’re going to love you.”

  There was more I’d wanted to say but saved it for another time. I wanted her alone, to be able to say what was in my head and heart without a clock running down. And when I got that chance, I wouldn’t be sharing her either.

  Ignoring my efforts to keep my mouth to myself, she reached up anyway and kissed me. It was dangerous, my hands automatically locking on her hips as I wanted more. It would have to wait. The rest of the kiss and everything that went with it put on the backburner for later. And then I promised there wasn’t going to be any holding back.

  “We better go. I don’t want them to think we’re in here having sex.” She tugged at my shirt, leading me to her bedroom door.

  I nodded, my hand hitting the handle as I cracked it open. “Especially since I didn’t get the pleasure of it.”

  North had put himself to good use and dished out dinner onto plates. I wasn’t sure if he’d set the table or Hayden had done it before I got there, but everything was laid out ready for us to start eating.

  “So, Quinn, do you know if you’re having a girl or a boy?” Hayden passed around the salad before settling into her seat.

  Quinn smiled, the scratch of cutlery hitting china as she shrugged. “We want it to be a surprise.”

  Bull. Shit.

  She might not have done one of those fancy reveals—no pink cake or blue smoke—but I had no doubt she knew. And if she knew, the man sitting beside her knew too, which meant the surprise was meant for us.

  “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.” I lifted my beer, smirking as I took a sip. “And I’m not the only one who isn’t good at a bluff.”

  Quinn coughed, Riley’s grin all but confirming it as Hayden laughed. I didn’t care we weren’t in on their secret, satisfied that they knew I knew they were full of shit.

  And after the rocky start, dinner ended up being pretty fucking awesome. Quinn and Hayden talked about their jobs, Hayden confessing she had minored in photography before she quit college. Of course that was back when you needed film and a dark room, the revelation prompting a million questions from Quinn.

  The only one she didn’t ask, was the one that had been on my mind.

  No, not the reason she’d quit college, her excuse of being bored and wanting to earn money given when Quinn had poked. But what she would be doing if she’d given herself a chance. There had to be something, and I could almost guarantee it wasn’t her job at Target or transcribing medical records. But it never came up, Hayden going on to explain how she supported her shithead husband while he made his dreams come true.

  Never had I felt so much dislike for a person I’d never met. Completely bewildered how he could have been so clueless to the amazing wife he’d had, utterly unconcerned for anyone other than himself. Sure, if he hadn’t been such a selfish prick with no balls, who didn’t know how to treat a woman, I’d have never gotten my chance with Hayden. But that he’d had a hand in her unhappiness, really jerked my chain.

  Figuring she was volunteering as much as she was comfortable doing, I saved my curiosity for later, instead letting the conversation switch to Quinn and Riley. They each took turns, giving their version of how they met. Uh-hum, Quinn’s inclination to get involved in other people’s relationships had her sending lace panties to Riley instead of the person they were intended for. Not as shady as it sounded, but every bit as complicated, the two of them ended up together like it was meant to be. It was a treat to watch them tell it, both of them animated as they took her on the twisty road until they said I do. Standing up beside North as we watched Quinn walk down the aisle with her mom, one of the proudest days of my life.

  “Well, if everyone is done with dinner,” Hayden stood and started to clear plates. “We can move to dessert.”

  Quinn groaned, rubbing her belly. “Not sure I can fit another thing in. Dinner was sooooo good.”

  “It’s nothing fancy. I just picked up some ice cream, but I have chocolate syrup and whipped cream. I have two nephews. They get treated to ice cream sundaes whenever they visit,” Hayden admitted, her smile hinting she was probably their favorite aunt.

  I grinned, the opportunity too good to ignore. “Sugaring them up before you send them home, huh? Here I thought you were sweet, but underneath it all you’re diabolical.”

  “Payback on my baby brother is a bitch,” she l
aughed.

  Deciding to give dessert a pass, Quinn and Riley thought it was better if they headed home. Quinn had put in a decent effort, but Baby North was sucking the life out of her, her eyelids drooping while trying to maintain a conversation. I could tell Riley was getting anxious too. They lived over the bridge in Brooklyn, so had a drive ahead of them, and he was already on high alert with Quinn’s due date looming.

  “It was so nice meeting you.” Hayden gave Quinn a hug, the difference between the one they’d shared at the start of the night, worlds apart. “And next time I go to visit my parents, I’ll check out their basement. I’m positive I still have my old Nikon down there.”

  Quinn hugged her back. “I’d love to see it. I have my dad’s vintage Pentax I still use from time to time.”

  “Easy there using the word vintage, Quinn. That camera isn’t that old,” I warned, having seen it firsthand and knowing it had been the flash new thing in ’89.

  “Relax, Chief.” North clapped me on the back. “Vintage is popular now. You should probably go through your closet and see what you can sell on eBay, bet you’re sitting on a goldmine.”

  I flipped him off, showing him exactly where he could put his suggestion. “Go home, North, or I’ll show you how non-vintage I am.”

  We said our goodbyes, both Quinn and Riley giving me a not-so-discreet thumbs up before leaving. It wasn’t needed, obvious how much they adored Hayden when they thanked her for the invitation. Meant a lot to me too, especially knowing how long a day she’d had.

  “Dishes,” she groaned, almost falling into my arms as we closed the front door. “If I don’t do them now, I’m going to hate myself tomorrow.”

  My lips found hers, staying away for as long as they were going to and kissing her hard. “Here’s an idea. You go get into bed, and I’ll clean up.”

  “Mack, the kitchen’s a mess. I’m a decent enough cook but I suck at keeping my workspace tidy. It will take at least an hour,” she protested, obviously forgetting I’d already eyeballed her kitchen and seen the mountain of baking dishes and plates when I’d gone into check dinner.