Mae grinned and puffed out her chest with the saying on her T-shirt. “Nope, but the man who does will be my soul mate.”
Kit laughed and started steering her through the crowded restaurant back to her table. “Good luck finding him, then.” Kit reached a corner table and sat, gesturing to the other chair.
Mae perched on the edge of the hard chair, took a long drink of the water waiting for her, and then exclaimed, “You won’t believe me, but I’m going to dinner with my soul mate tomorrow night. Should I wear the shirt and see if he offers me a Diet Coke?”
Kit’s eyebrows arched so high they almost touched her swooping blond locks. “You’re … going on a date?” The eyebrows settled, and her teal eyes filled with concern. “Truly?”
Mae forced a smile. “Truly.”
“Someone asked you out?”
“Come on, it’s getting hurtful now.” She knew she was pathetic, but was she really that pathetic?
“Oh, sweetie.” Kit leaned in and hugged her again. “I’m not trying to be rude. It’s just you rarely leave the house, except to meet me for food or a workout. So, pray tell how some brilliant and lucky man found you and convinced you to leave the Bat Cave?”
Mae took some deep breaths, hardly able to contain her excitement at sharing who she was going out with. Kit knew all about her longtime crush, but her best friend understood the unreachable status of Slade Steele. He wasn’t as well-known as his brother Preston, who played for the Georgia Patriots, or his brother Jex, who was an Instagram and YouTube star who got paid to do whatever insane stunt anyone challenged him to do. The youngest brother, Gunner, was in the military and got even less attention than Slade, who still got plenty of attention being a self-made billionaire and being too charming and handsome for anybody’s good. No, Mae wasn’t silly enough to believe Slade could ever return her feelings, but dinner with him would sustain her in the long, lonely years to come. Kit was right. Even if any man could compare to Slade for her, she’d never leave her house long enough to find him.
The waitress approached, interrupting Mae’s chance to respond. She ordered a barbecue burger with a side of chips and guacamole; their guacamole was unreal, and she could already taste it. She hadn’t eaten anything today, as she had a hard time eating after one of Kit’s intense morning workouts, and then she’d become too distracted with work to think about food. The tantalizing smell of well-cooked meat was making her light-headed.
The waitress walked away, and Kit gasped and said in a breathless voice, “Slade Steele.”
“How did you know?” Mae’s gaze narrowed. Kit was in tune to Mae’s deepest desires as her best and really only friend, but she wasn’t telepathic.
Kit pointed, her eyes bugging out. “Slade Steele.”
Mae followed her friend’s finger, and her heart slammed against her chest. The man of her every desire was sitting across the crowded restaurant, eating by himself. Mae had never seen him in person, and he was glorious. Even eating a large hamburger, he managed to look suave and enticing.
She pressed a hand to her chest and tried to breathe in and out, in and out. “I’m going to hyperventilate,” she muttered.
Kit grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “No, you’re not. You’re going to march over there and introduce yourself.”
“I can’t. I … I’ll pass out.”
Kit growled at her. “You are doing this, now.”
“B-but tomorrow.” Oh, my, he was too perfect. In what alternate reality had she imagined she could go out with him? She glanced down at her ill-fitting, too-baggy clothes. She was truly a delusional idiot.
“I don’t want to hear about tomorrow. You are doing this right now. You are talking to Slade Steele, and I’m going to watch like the proud best friend I am. If he’s got even an ounce of sense in that handsome body, he’ll be completely enthralled with you. Now, just to help him out a little bit …”
Kit yanked Mae’s glasses off. Mae blinked, but the instant fog didn’t clear. “Can’t see, truly can’t see.”
“Don’t care, truly don’t care. You are showing off those big brown eyes. And we’re going to … Hmm.”
Mae imagined Kit tilted her head to the side, but it was all a blur. She was twice legally blind without her glasses and could only see things clearly a few inches away. Kit tugged at the elastic band holding her hair up. Mae’s long hair spilled around her face. She liked her hair—it was soft and full—but it tickled her face and that bugged her.
Pushing at and fluffing Mae’s hair, Kit made noises in her throat and clucked her tongue, but she didn’t say much until she commanded, “Purse those lips, baby.”
“No.” Mae shrank away. She hated the feel of lipstick and always just stuck with gloss.
“You obey me, or you’ve lost your best friend,” Kit commanded.
Mae knew it was an idle threat. They’d been best friends and neighbors since the womb. Destined since heaven to be friends, their moms used to say. She obediently pursed her lips instead of fighting. Best to get this over with. Get the meeting of her soul mate over with? Oh, good night! How was she going to march blindly across this restaurant and approach Slade? She wasn’t ready, worthy, or confident enough. Her chest was feeling tighter and tighter.
A person walked up to their table and set plates down. “Here we are.”
Mae caught a whiff of her favorite barbecue sauce and red meat cooked perfectly. She started salivating, despite the nerves racing through her body making her nauseated. “I need to eat something,” she muttered around Kit putting gunk on her lips.
“No way. You’re not going over there with barbecue breath or guacamole messing up this lipstick. Dang, that looks fabulous on you. Okay.” Kit took both of Mae’s hands and tugged her to her feet. She pulled her t-shirt tighter and tied it in a knot at her waist then rolled her skirt so it was a couple of inches shorter. “Yes. You’re ready. Go slay that man, my beautiful friend.”
“No, you don’t understand. I’m feeling light-headed. I better eat something first.” She reached blindly toward the food, but Kit swatted her hand.
“Get your tush over there. You can eat with him once you woo him. Be your funny, awesome self. You look gorgeous!” Kit squealed. “I’m so excited. This is truly a sign. You’ve always been the kindest person I know, and finally the good Lord is rewarding you!” Kit shoved her away from their table. “Go, girl, go!”
Mae unsteadily shuffled through the restaurant. She knew the general direction where Slade was sitting, but she’d have to get extremely close to see his face without her glasses. Getting close sounded fabulous; not being able to see his face clearly was a nightmare. Knowing Slade was light years out of her league and her romantic dreams could never end happily was a reality she had to live with.
She shuffled into the side of a chair, hitting her hip bone. “Ouch!”
“You okay?” a deep voice asked.
“Yes, thank you.” It wasn’t Slade’s voice—there was no way she was even close to his location in the restaurant yet—so she started lumbering forward again.
A large palm wrapped around her elbow. “I’m Mike. I’d love to get your name,” the same voice said.
Mae blinked up at the man—way, way up. He was tall like a giant and appeared handsome as far as she could distinguish. His voice was pleasant, and he smelled good, but she wasn’t just looking for any guy to meet. She needed to get to Slade. “Mae,” she murmured.
“I love your shirt, Mae,” he continued. “If I bought you a Diet Coke, could I tell you how pretty you are?”
Mae smiled. Was this guy hitting on her? She hadn’t been hit on in years. It felt nice, but she really, truly wanted to find Slade. No matter how nervous she was to meet him, she had to get to him. She was going to have dinner with him tomorrow night, but Kit was right: this was a sign from above, and she could hardly wait to be close to him, possibly build up some memories to treasure throughout her too-long life. What would he smell like? What would he feel like? Would t
hey be as comfortable in their banter as they were through video chat? Her nerves were stretched thin and her stomach was tumbling, but this was her moment and she was ready to get in the game and start some serious flirting with the man of her dreams.
“I’m so sorry, but I’m meeting someone,” she said.
“Oh. I understand. A woman as beautiful as you. Of course you’re already taken.”
She smiled at him. He truly thought she was beautiful. Maybe Kit had worked miracles. Maybe Slade actually would be interested in her and think she was beautiful like this blurry-faced, kind man did.
“Excuse me.” Kit’s voice. “She is taken, but I’d love that Diet Coke.”
The man chuckled and released Mae’s arm. “But you don’t have the shirt.”
“Take your shirt off and give it to me,” Kit said to Mae.
“Oh my goodness, no.” Mae rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t need the shirt for you to tell her she’s pretty,” she said to the man. Kit was absolutely beautiful with her glossy, blond hair, teal-colored eyes, and smooth, tan skin, not to mention she was the fitness expert and a walking billboard for her gym.
“You’re absolutely right. Can I buy you a Diet Coke?” Mike asked Kit, laughter in his voice.
“Absolutely,” Kit said.
Mae nodded, her job here done. Kit could enjoy this kind man, another in the long line of men who floundered at Kit’s feet, and Mae could get to Slade. She started his direction again, but hands grasped her shoulders.
“Wrong way, sweetie,” Kit said, and she pushed her in the other direction.
The push was too hard, and Mae was unsteady; she flung out her hands and hit a tray. The server cursed as food, plates, and cups crashed to the ground.
“Oh, criminy!” Mae knelt and started helping pick stuff up and placing it onto the tray the server had dropped on the ground.
She heard Kit’s and the man’s voices as they helped also. They cleaned everything they could pick up, and the server said, “It’s okay. I’ll get a broom and mop to finish. Thanks.” He bustled away.
Mae stood, feeling unsteady and stupid.
“Oh, no, you have barbecue sauce all over your shirt,” Kit exclaimed, grabbing a napkin off the man’s table and scrubbing at Mae’s chest.
“Please give me my glasses back,” Mae begged.
“No, Mae. You don’t know how pretty you look without them.”
Mae wanted to be attractive—who didn’t?—but this was never going to work. She couldn’t blindly feel her way across the restaurant. Slade was a great guy and had never made her feel like the frumpy woman she was. Maybe he wouldn’t think she was beautiful with her big glasses on, but he wouldn’t be condescending to her either. “Please, Kit. This isn’t working.”
Long seconds passed. “Fine,” Kit huffed, handing the glasses over.
Mae shoved them back on and was thrilled to have the world clear up again. She first saw Kit and the man who’d hit on her. Mike, that was it. He was extremely tall and extremely good-looking with short, tightly curled black hair, smooth brown skin, and amazing lips. Her confidence bolstered that he’d hit on her, but Kit was frowning.
“She shouldn’t cover up her beautiful face, should she?” Kit asked Mike.
He shrugged his burly shoulders, obviously uncomfortable telling Mae she was ugly with the glasses, but he didn’t appear to want to offend Kit either. “You have really amazing eyes, and the glasses cover them up.”
“Thank you,” Kit said. “My mom and I have been telling her that for years.”
Mae inhaled sharply. “Okay, you two. I get it. How about I walk over there with my glasses on, but then I’ll take them off before I speak to him?”
Kit nodded. “I can allow that.”
Mae smiled. She straightened her shoulders and turned in Slade’s direction. She might have barbecue sauce on her white T-shirt and thick, too-large glasses, but she was going to talk to him come heck or high water.
All her determination vanished as she searched for the spot Slade had been sitting. She felt like she’d been slugged in the gut. Slade was gone.
She ran toward where he’d been, dodging tables and waiters. He’d been gone long enough that the table had been cleared and an older couple was sitting in his vacated spot. No! She pushed through the crowded restaurant and out onto the street. The sun had already sunk to the west and the night was deepening. She squinted around, looking for his tall frame and dark hair. Nothing.
Taking a chance, she ran to the north, praying, hoping she’d find him.
“Mae!” Kit yelled at her from behind. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know! Go that direction, please.”
“Okay.”
Mae jogged around tourists, baby strollers, and families on the sidewalk. She couldn’t see him anywhere. Despair crept in. Maybe she was wrong and Slade wasn’t her destiny. She’d been so proud of herself for working up the nerve to go talk to him, and everything had gone wrong. Second-guessing going out with him tomorrow, she kept searching the street, but she didn’t see him anywhere.
Chapter Three
Slade woke early the next morning and ran from the Four Seasons along the piers and through Presidio Park and Golden Gate Park. It was a nice run, but he couldn’t get his mind off his dinner with Mae tonight. He stopped on his way back through Presidio and wandered off the jogging trail and down to the beach, where he pulled his phone out and texted her.
Did you decide where I’m taking you to dinner tonight?
Immediately the dots appeared, showing she was texting. You claim to be brave enough to eat anything. Can you handle your sushi?
He smiled. I can sushi you under the table.
I’ll take that challenge. We’ll eat nigiri until your gut bursts.
Sounds perfect. What time and where?
Sushi Sticks. 6. Don’t be late or I’ll ditch you.
Slade grinned. I wouldn’t dare be late for a dream date like this.
No dots appeared, and Slade wondered if he’d pushed too hard. Mae was hilarious and confident, but she was obviously hiding behind those glasses and ill-fitting T-shirts and she’d let it slip once that she rarely left Sausalito.
He wandered along the beach, enjoying the sunshine on this spring day and praying he hadn’t scared her away—which was silly, because he wasn’t looking for anything more than dinner.
Finally, the dots appeared. I’m so much cooler than your dreams. Prepare for the night of your life, son.
Slade laughed. He liked her. It was okay to admit that much. It didn’t mean he was going to get involved. She lived across the country. She didn’t like exposure or media, which were a big part of his life no matter what he wanted. There was no way he would relocate from Lottie and his family in Boston, and Mae didn’t seem keen on leaving Sausalito.
He stopped in his tracks and shook his head to clear it. He was racing way ahead of himself, and that was completely unlike him. He was going out to dinner with a fun friend who he enjoyed teasing with. End of story. No worries.
He typed back. Can’t wait.
Then he forced himself to pocket his phone and jog back to the trail. He needed to put Mae and tonight’s dinner from his mind and focus on work. Work was good. Work was familiar.
He smiled as he ran toward his hotel. I’m so much cooler than your dreams. He more than liked her.
Mae was in the middle of an excruciating boot camp class at the small gym Kit managed when Slade started texting her. Immediately she ran out of class, ignoring Kit hollering at her, so she could focus on the text stream. She squealed when he called her a dream date.
Then doubts crept in. Who was she kidding? Slade Steele was charming—of course he knew how to flirt with women—but would he lead her on like that? He was also classy and had to know she didn’t date men like him. Truth be told, she didn’t date at all, and he could probably sense that as well.
When she typed her bold line, I’m so much cooler than your dreams. Prepare for t
he night of your life, son, she was sweating more than she’d ever sweated at the boot camp class. His simple can’t wait had her panting for air. He couldn’t wait. Truly! She was so excited and nervous and … she needed to throw up somewhere. Pacing the front sidewalk, she swallowed back bile and clutched at her stomach. She couldn’t do this.
The class filtered out of the gym’s front doors a few minutes later. Several people from the class said goodbye to her, and then Kit appeared.
“What are you doing ditching out on burpees?” Kit folded her arms across her trim chest and glared adorably as only Kit could do.
“Slade texted.” Mae held her phone aloft.
Kit’s teal eyes lit up and she grabbed the phone from Mae’s hand, reading it back and smiling to herself. “You realize you’re the cutest person in the whole world, right?”
Mae swallowed down the emotion. “You realize you’re the only person who thinks that?”
Kit’s mouth dropped open. “That’s not true. My parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law all agree, and from these texts, I think Slade agrees also.”
“Thanks, Kit. That means a lot, but you’re getting way ahead of yourself. Slade’s a charming, classy guy. He doesn’t mean any of this.”
“You don’t know that.” Kit jutted out a hip, but then her eyes softened. “Mae.” She stepped closer and tugged at her ponytail. “Can you do something for me? Best friend asking here.”
Mae smiled. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Let me make you over today.”
Mae’s eyes widened, and she stepped back. She hadn’t even thought of that.
“You’re hiding behind the glasses, the no makeup or hair done, the frumpy clothes. Please, Mae. Is Slade Steele your dream man, or have you just talked about him nonstop for years to make me crazy?”
Mae bit at her lip and finally admitted, “I love him. Well, you know I don’t truly love him, but I love everything about him.” She truly loved him, but she didn’t need to look completely pathetic, even to the person she trusted more than any other.
Steele Family Romance Collection Page 2