Speaking of Love

by Ophelia London

  “Of course we talk. Do you think we just stand around gawking at each other like baboons?” Mac widened her eyes, let her jaw go slack, and stared into space.

  “Sexy,” Tess said, laughing. “Is that the face you make when he’s about to kiss you? No wonder you’re not getting any action.”

  “Ha ha. I need another drink.” Mac waved at a waiter whizzing by.

  “What I mean is,” Tess continued a moment later, “do you and Rick ever talk about anything important? He might not be like his father at all. How well do we know anyone at first? Maybe he’ll surprise you.”

  “Doubtful,” Mac said. “Anyway, it was glaringly obvious the other night that it’s time for me to move on.” She shrugged. “I think Brandy will be perfect for him.”

  Mac scooped up another chip, then washed it down with a long drink. She was a little amazed. The more she talked about it out loud, the more sense it made. And she felt nothing toward Rick but the desire to be his friend and to help him be happy. Yes, Brandy would be perfect for Rick. They might even fall in love.

  “She’d make good arm candy, at least,” Tess said. “When’s the date?”

  “Tomorrow. Lunch.” She sat back. “I invited Jeremy. It’ll feel more relaxed if there’s the illusion that it’s a double date. Less pressure for everyone.”

  “I forgot what an expert you are at matchmaking,” Tess conceded. “Which one is Jeremy?”

  “The bartender with the crazy ex-wife,” Mac said, pushing back the bowl of chips.

  “The one who looks like a younger but taller, floppy-haired Mark Wahlberg?”

  Mac took a moment to dissect the description. “That’s pretty spot-on.”

  “Isn’t he also kind of…”

  “Uncouth?”

  “I was going to say ape-like.”

  Mac snorted. “Kind of. I’ve known him forever, though. He used to play city league baseball with Greg. He’s always good for a lunch or something short notice.”

  “And did you two ever…?” Tess grinned at Mac over her glass.

  “Not even close. Jeremy is fun, but there’s no chemistry. We hang out sometimes, just as friends.”

  “Like you and Rick?”

  The question made Mac bite down on her tongue. “Um, sure,” she said, reaching for her glass. “Like me and Rick.”

  Except with Rick, she could have added, a lack of chemistry was never the problem.

  But Tess didn’t need to know that.

  It was hard to explain, even to her best friend, Mac’s need to keep extra emotionally sealed when it came to Rick. It wasn’t just that his father closing the Elm Street factory had basically been the catalyst to her parents breaking up. That was tragic enough. More than that, she and Rick were complete opposites. She didn’t have to know him for twenty years to understand that. Their upbringings, their backgrounds, even their basic concept about something as simple as Lincoln Park… She and Rick Duffy would never see eye to eye.

  They were just too different, and all the chemistry in the world wouldn’t change that.

  Tess lifted her glass and clinked it against Mac’s. “Well, your social life never ceases to amaze me.”

  The waiter appeared with their salads.

  “How’s Jack?” Mac asked, eager to steer the subject in another direction.

  Tess picked up her fork. “Amazing,” she said with a huge grin.

  Mac rolled her eyes to heaven. “I mean, how is he doing? I haven’t seen him at school very often this semester.”

  “With football season over, he mostly stays around the gym. Or drives out to my music studio for an extra-long lunch.”

  “Nice,” Mac said, smiling.

  “I wish you could find someone who makes you as happy as Jack makes me.”

  “I don’t need a—”

  “I know, I know,” Tess said, cutting her off. “You don’t need a man to make you happy. I didn’t mean it like that. I just think… In life, you reach different levels of content and happiness. For me, I was happy alone. You could say I was at the top level of my happiness. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. But when I met Jack…” She smiled and looked down at her diamond ring. “It was like I reached this whole new level of happiness that I didn’t know existed. But I couldn’t get there alone.”

  Mac was annoyed with herself when she felt tears spring to her eyes. Where had they come from?

  “I just don’t want you to miss out on anything,” Tess added.

  “Believe me,” Mac said. “I’m not. I’m great. Work is good; I’m young and healthy. I’m not missing anything. I promise.”

  “Okay,” Tess said. “I believe you. Lecture over.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So.” Tess took a bite of her salad. “What time does Brandy arrive? Where is this lunch tomorrow? And what are you wearing?”

  …

  Rick ran a towel over his face. “Nice game,” he said to one of the players they had just beaten.

  “We’ll even it up.”

  “I don’t doubt it. See you next week.”

  After securing a towel around his waist, Rick walked out to the locker room. The others were already dressed.

  “We thought you fell down the drain,” Jack said, pushing up one of his shirt sleeves.

  “You get me up at the crack of dawn and then you’re the one not in a hurry,” Charlie said, riffling through his cammo duffle bag. “Nice.”

  Rick looked at the clock on the wall. He’d spent an extra ten minutes in the shower after their hockey game. He’d been distracted lately. Luckily he was able to keep his mind on the game long enough to score two goals and help his team win. Not that winning was all that important at these early morning games. It was more about exercise and camaraderie. Rick usually enjoyed starting off the day with his two buddies, but this morning, he couldn’t seem to stay focused.

  “I guess I zoned out for a while,” Rick said, opening his locker. “I should already be at the office. I have a lot to do before I go out to lunch.”

  “You got a lunch date?” Jack asked.

  Rick nodded.

  “Who’s the girl?” Charlie asked. “Mac?”

  Rick looked up. “Mac? No. Why would you think that?”

  Charlie tossed his towel toward the row of sinks. “My sister told me you’re dating.”

  Rick frowned. He sometimes forgot what a tight, little group he’d been pulled into: He’d been non-dating Mac, who was best friends with Tess, who was engaged to Jack and sister to Charlie. Sometimes he felt like he needed notecards to remember.

  “Not dating,” Rick corrected, opening his locker. “We’re friends.” After the words left his mouth, he felt about as masculine as a Lifetime movie. “In fact, she’s setting me up with one of her cousins.”

  “I haven’t met any cousins,” Jack said. “I only know her brother and sister. They’re fun, kind of rowdy, like Mac.”

  “I know,” Rick said, smiling to himself, remembering the comical glares darting across the table between Mac and her sister Justine last night. He’d never seen that side of Mac. He liked it.

  “Which cousin?” Charlie asked, pushing his hands through his hair while he checked himself out in the mirror.

  “She lives in Indianapolis,” Rick said. “Her name is Brandy.”

  “Brandy?” Charlie turned to him, grinning. “Oh, buddy.”

  Rick looked at him. “You’ve met her?”

  “Affirmative.” Charlie drew out the word. “I’ve known Mac’s family forever. Brandy used to spend plenty of summers here.” He whistled.

  Charlie was a documented ladies’ man. If one woman pulled his focus more than another, there was always a reason.

  “What’s she like?” Rick asked.

  “Smokin’ hot.”

  Jack chuckled. “Classy, Charlie.”

  Rick rolled his eyes. “Anything else?”

  “I haven’t seen her in a few years. Last I heard, she was working at a TV news station.”


  “She’s a broadcaster? Mac didn’t mention that.”

  “Not a broadcaster,” Charlie amended. “I think she wants to be, but right now she’s mostly working behind the scenes. But buddy,” he elbowed him, “she should be on camera. I’m not kidding, she’s gorgeous. She was Miss…something back in the day. Lived the whole beauty queen circuit. Did pretty well.” He zipped his bag. “I didn’t follow it much because it creeped me out.”

  “Why?” Rick asked.

  Charlie was lost in thought for a moment, then chuckled. “Because we’re almost like family. And there’s a code: Hands off friends’ sisters and sister’s friends.”

  Jack cleared his throat. “Present company excluded, of course?”

  Charlie laughed. “I’m only letting you marry my sister because you’re taller than me.”

  “So, wait a minute,” Rick said. “Do you mean you used to have a thing for Brandy?” he asked. “Or Mac?”

  Charlie chuckled again. “Brandy—no. She was out of my league, even I knew that. But Mac…”

  Rick didn’t like the way Charlie trailed off. He felt his fists clench. “But Mac, what?”

  “Nothing,” Charlie finally said. “Like I said, there’s a code. I never hit on any of Tess’s friends. Not then, not now. That’s just not cool.”

  “Yeah,” Rick said, nodding. But he still felt like Charlie wasn’t telling him the whole story. Rick knew he and Mac had basically grown up together, but just saying that he followed some “code” and never hit on Mac, didn’t mean he hadn’t wanted to when they were younger. Or didn’t want to now.

  “Well, good luck, buddy,” Jack said, slinging his gym back over his shoulder.

  Rick chuckled at Jack’s lack of enthusiasm. He didn’t know how good he had it. Jack had already found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. A few months ago, Rick didn’t think that was something he wanted for many years to come. But seeing Jack and Tess together, he totally got it. And he totally wanted it.

  Chapter Seven

  “How do I look?”

  Silly question.

  “You’re gorgeous,” Mac assured her cousin as they climbed out of Mac’s car.

  Brandy’s tall, amazon frame towered over Mac. When Mac looked up at her cousin’s face, she realized how very different they looked. Genetically speaking, the comparison was not in Mac’s favor.

  They were both blond, but Brandy’s hair was much lighter, almost silvery, and it hit the middle of her back. Mac tucked some of her own shoulder-length—frighteningly conservative—golden locks behind one ear.

  Brandy was lean yet substantial, and, well, she had one of those faces. Saying it was perfect was an understatement, and calling it beautiful was just plain silly. She was tall and blond and gorgeous. For the sake of her own ego, Mac decided to leave it at that.

  They crossed the parking lot of the restaurant. It was March and chilly, but the sky was crisp and blue and lovely. Mac held the collar of her thin coat together.

  “I’m glad we’re doing this,” Brandy said, linking her arm through Mac’s. She ran her free hand through her hair; it was all glimmery and swishy. “I’m really in need of some fun.”

  Fun. Brandy was all about fun. Perfect.

  “He’s cute, right? That’s what you said. This Rick guy I’m meeting?”

  Mac grinned, recognizing the look in her cousin’s eyes. “Very cute.”

  Brandy actually squealed, clapped her hands, and did a little jump.

  Mac giggled. She was realizing that doing good deeds was its own reward, even something as little as introducing two people who just might end up being soul mates. She gave herself a very firm mental pat on the back.

  Jeremy was already at the table when they arrived. That was one great thing about him—he was always on time. And he always looked good. His hair was dark, almost black. He was wearing it longer these days. If Mac thought about it, she liked it better that way, but she didn’t usually think about it. Tess was right: he did rock a little Marky Mark, and his mannerisms could be rather ape-like. But it was only a lunch.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” Jeremy said in a swagger voice as Mac and Brandy got to the table. He didn’t stand up, but wasn’t that an old-fashioned custom, anyway? He raised his water glass instead.

  Mac slid into the chair next to him, while Brandy sat across from her. Only one more empty chair to fill.

  “Have you been waiting long?” Mac asked after kissing his cheek.

  Jeremy shook his head.

  Their table was outside, but standing heaters surrounded it. It was a lovely day, just as Mac had predicted. Perfect for outside dining.

  Before the chitchat began, Mac spotted Rick’s car whip around the corner. His car was always easy to spot—or his cars. He had several. She never knew which one he would show up in. Lately, it was the leathery Mercedes or the black Cadillac SUV, which was what he was in today. Probably because of the heated leather seats. In less than a minute, he was striding toward their table.

  “Hello,” he said, sounding a bit winded. He wasn’t that late, Mac thought, eyeing him. He didn’t have to run from the parking lot.

  I guess some men never get over the idea of dating the prom queen.

  “Rick, this is Brandy,” Mac said, playing the role of good matchmaker.

  “Hi,” Brandy said, showing a dazzling smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Rick replied. His smile was just as dazzling.

  “And this is Jeremy.” Mac waved in her date’s direction. “We’re old friends.”

  “Hey there,” Rick said, shaking Jeremy’s hand. He unbuttoned his coat and shrugged it off. Mac didn’t recognize the dark blue cashmere sweater he was wearing, but it looked good on him. Really good. The color, the fabric… And when he rotated his body to drape his coat over the back of his chair, she noticed how the fine cut of the sweater accentuated his chest and back muscles.

  He didn’t wear clothes like that when he was around her. Mostly, she saw him in evening suits or his cute hipster reporter wardrobe. Maybe this was his official “date attire.”

  She leaned an elbow on the table, still looking at him. Not bad. In fact, compared to this nice-fitting sweater, his other clothing didn’t do his body justice. But what was Mac doing thinking about Rick’s body? He was Brandy’s date, maybe even her soul mate and future husband, she reminded herself.

  Brandy followed suit and unzipped her jacket. Rick helped her slide her arms out.

  “Thank you,” Brandy said, gifting Rick with another smile.

  Mac was suddenly feeling a bit warm under the heaters as well. When she began peeling her coat off, Jeremy didn’t move, just continued to stare down at his menu. Oh well, just another antiquated ritual.

  It was a tight squeeze, and when she accidentally lost hold of her sleeve, her flyaway elbow clocked Jeremy in the side of the face.

  “Ouch,” he said, but he smiled at her dotingly.

  “Sorry,” Mac whispered.

  “Need some help there?” Rick asked.

  “I am perfectly capable of removing my own clothes,” she said, though still struggling with her coat.

  Jeremy chuckled and finally put down his menu. “I got it,” he said, pulling on her sleeve. Mac thanked him with a pat on the arm.

  “Sorry I was late,” Rick said.

  “Chasing a lead down some dark alley?” Mac asked, draping her coat across the empty chair behind her.

  “Something like that. I’ve got a story running tomorrow. It’s not nearly done.”

  “You’re a reporter?” Brandy asked, looking confused, then she glanced at Mac. “I thought he owned the paper.”

  “I do,” Rick said. “On top of being managing editor, I also write a column. It’s mostly weekly, but sometimes more often. Depending on what it is.”

  Brandy leaned an elbow on the table and gazed at Rick. It wasn’t her pouty expression that Mac had seen her lay on other, helpless guys.
It was even better: Brandy looked positively engrossed. Wow, she was good. “What are you writing about today?” Brandy asked Rick.

  “It’s about Lincoln Park,” Mac answered for him.

  “The park by your Mom’s house that’s been there forever?” Brandy asked, looking at Mac. “What about it?”

  “It’s being torn down.”

  “That,” Rick inserted, “has yet to be decided.”

  Mac leaned across the table toward him. “Oh, really?” she said. “You’re telling me you still think there’s a chance the city won’t vote to sell half of those woods to the developer?”

  Rick shook his head. “I have no idea. The council may be split now, but that can change overnight. It’s best not to get hung up on numbers or polls.”

  Sitting back, Mac opened her menu, searching for a subject change. “Those woods are special,” she couldn’t help adding. “It’s the only greenbelt on that side of town.”

  “I’m not disputing that,” Rick said. “Or your sentiment.”

  Mac rolled her eyes. He could come off as so patronizing sometimes, treating her the same way people like his parents always have.

  Using her interpersonal communication skills, she managed to steer the conversation away from Lincoln Park, and the friendly chitchat continued. Bread was brought, then the salads. By the time their entrees arrived, Rick and Brandy were really hitting it off.

  Seriously, why she hadn’t thought of this sooner was a mystery.

  …

  Rick was having a good time and really enjoying getting to know Brandy. She was charming and attractive, reminding him a lot of Mac. Which probably shouldn’t have been a surprise.

  While Brandy was telling a story about something that had happened to her at work the other day, Rick turned his head to the side and looked toward the glass doors leading from the patio into the dining room. Mac had gotten up, cell phone to her ear, nearly ten minutes ago. He hoped everything was all right.

  The instant Jeremy started in on his own story, Rick excused himself. He waited inside the dining room while the hostess kept trying to seat him with other parties.