“Ha, ha.”
He grinned, shut her door, and hurried around the front of the vehicle. She loved watching him move. Depending on how late he took her home tonight, she was going to watch highlights of him on YouTube. He climbed in and the vehicle rocked slightly. It was amazing he could be so massive yet so fit and appealing.
“Where to?” he asked.
“Hmm. Do you like Indian food?”
He shrugged. “Honestly, Sariah, do you think I got to this size not liking every kind of food?”
She giggled at that. “Valid reasoning.” She pointed. “Great Indian restaurant just a few blocks that a way.”
He put the vehicle into gear.
“It looks really good on you.”
He glanced over at her. “What does?”
“Your size.”
“Thank you.” He smiled as he navigated to the restaurant.
They walked inside and the hostess seated them at a small corner table with a clean but scratched wooden top. Mack glanced around. “It looks a little less sketchy than last night. And it smells good.”
“Well, thank you for the approval. I aim to tantalize.”
Mack’s eyes widened and then a slow smile grew on his handsome face. “Yes, you do.”
“I meant … your taste buds.” Wow, she wasn’t making this any better.
His voice got low and husky. “I look forward to it.”
“Stop.” She pushed at his arm, her face filling with heat.
“I don’t think I’m the one who started this.”
The waitress interrupted, bringing them waters and asking if they wanted anything different than water to drink. They both declined. “Are you ready to order?”
Mack nodded to Sariah. “Will you order for us again?”
She smiled. “I don’t want you going away hungry. Should I order more than last night?”
“Please.”
She could definitely get used to this. She’d felt guilty last night when she’d gotten home late but Teresa had demanded all the details of her date and made her promise she’d go again tonight. Lily and Hyde were with Teresa tonight and would be through Sunday night. Hyde hadn’t said much about her going out with Mack, but he seemed very concerned for her. Lily had obviously told him too much about the Tyler fiasco. She focused back on the menu.
“Let’s do the alu gobi, tandori chicken, beef vindaloo, butter chicken, chana masala, chickpea curry, and we’d better have some spring rolls.” She glanced at Mack. “Is that enough food?”
“We’ll see.”
Sariah laughed and handed the menu back. “Thank you.”
“I’ll bring the spring rolls soon.” She took their menus and walked away.
Sariah took a drink of her water.
“You like tantalizing exotic foods the best?” Mack asked.
“Definitely.”
“Have you always?”
She picked at the edge of the paper tablecloth. “My family doesn’t have a lot of … money. So, our diet growing up was pretty simple.” She forced a smile and met his eyes. “Usually fish or deer for our meat that my dad had caught or hunted, potatoes and carrots for our veggies, and my mom made loaves and loaves of bread and raspberry jam to keep everybody filled up.”
Mack swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
“No.” She waved a hand. “I had a great childhood and I love my family. I was just explaining. Last year I started working for Hyde, taking care of Teresa. For the first time in my life I had extra money and I was here in Denver so I tried out different foods and I found I loved them.”
“I like that you’re adventurous.”
She couldn’t meet his gaze now. The only adventurous things she ever did were try out new foods and go on hikes in the mountains, or maybe swim in the lake in the summer. Her life was so boring. What made her think she could keep a man like Mack Quinn interested in her? She quickly changed the subject, “So tell me more about your family. Your sister, Navy, is the oldest? She’s so tough, like my sister, Lily. I love that.”
He smiled. “She is tough, and not just fitness wise. She can put any of us in our place, even Griff.”
“Griff’s the Navy SEAL, right?” Like she’d forget Griff. He was the reason Scarlett Lily had kissed Mack, but she didn’t want to look like a stalker.
He nodded. “You know a lot about my family.”
“I do have WiFi and Google. Does that bother you that so many people know about you?”
He shrugged. “Comes with the territory playing professional football and everybody in my family seems to have found their way to a visible career, except for Griff and Colt. Griff saves the world quietly. Colt’s visible because he’s always dating somebody famous.”
“I did notice that. You all look a lot alike too.”
He stared at her for a beat. “What would you do if I Googled you?”
Sariah’s throat tightened and she tugged at the hair covering her neck. Mack’s gaze became more tender. He knew something was wrong with her. He was too kind to come out and ask her about it though. “You haven’t?”
His gaze was clear and steady. “No, I haven’t.”
“Please don’t,” she murmured.
He studied her before nodding. “I won’t.”
“Thank you.” The relief was strong but could she trust him? She didn’t know Mack that well and already she had to trust that the person he’d said “love you” to was his sister and that he wouldn’t Google her. She hadn’t Googled herself for a long time, but could only imagine the horrific pictures and accusations would still be there.
Luckily the waitress brought their spring rolls right then. The food was delicious, but they never regained the carefree conversation.
* * *
Mack walked Sariah to her car after dinner, not sure how to restore the easiness that had been between them, before he asked her if he could Google her. Dumb, dumb, dumb. He knew she was sensitive about something. So, whatever was going on with her, there was a record, probably pictures, of it online. That made him crazy with interest, but he’d told her he wouldn’t look, so he wouldn’t.
He swung open her door. She smiled up at him. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Sure.”
She bit at her lip and then asked, “Will I see you again?”
“Do you want to?” He shouldn’t have asked it like that, but he wasn’t sure how to proceed with her and not hit a sensitive button again.
She looked so beautiful as she blinked up at him. “Mack … I haven’t dated anyone in four years.”
The confusion must’ve been evident on his face, because she smiled and looked away. “I haven’t.”
“But why?” Obviously, it had something to do with whatever she was hiding, or what she’d been through, but he couldn’t imagine men didn’t hit on her nonstop. “You’re gorgeous and funny and smart and … do you just tell every man no?”
She focused back on him and nodded. “Yes, I do.”
“Why me?”
“There’s something about you that I could never say no to.” She grasped his shoulders, lifted herself onto tiptoes, and kissed his cheek.
Mack savored the softness of her lips against him and the sweetness of her scent. It was an appealing mix of vanilla and musk. He about grabbed her and pulled her in for a real kiss but she slipped into her car. He grasped the door. “So, you’re saying you want to date me?”
“I’m saying I’m interested in a monogamous relationship with a huge, studly offensive lineman,” she said. “Yes, I want to date you.”
Yes! He almost punched a fist in the air. Whatever odd thing was going on with her, it didn’t matter to him. He wanted more time with her. Once she knew him better she’d tell him about it. “I have to fly back home tomorrow night for a meeting with some sponsors Monday morning. Can I be with you tomorrow?” he rushed out.
“Are you a church-goer?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Meet me at the First Presbyterian Church
of Georgetown, Colorado at precisely ten a.m.”
He grinned. “I will be there.”
“Plan on dinner with the family after. It’ll probably be fish.”
He laughed. “I like fish.”
“You like everything.” She blinked up at him and he wanted to tug her back out of the car and kiss her, but she hadn’t dated anyone in four years. She was probably only twenty-one or twenty-two, so basically, she hadn’t dated since high school. Crazy. She had an interesting story and he wanted to know it, but mostly he wanted to do this right and take it slow and be with her.
“I mostly just like you,” he said.
She put a hand to her heart. “You’re a charmer, Mack Quinn, I don’t care what they say about you.”
He chuckled and only a lot of self-control allowed him to say, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” and close her door. He watched her drive away. And he cursed himself for promising not to Google her.
Chapter Twelve
Sariah sat in the hard pews, with Josh on her right side, wondering if Mack was going to show. Her family usually tried to squish in one row near the back of the chapel, but Hyde, Lily, and Teresa were here today and Sariah had been forced to admit to everyone that Mack was coming, so she could save him a spot. She checked the entry one more time—empty. She glanced at her phone—ten a.m. on the dot. The gaping open spot to her left probably confused her fellow church-goers. Sariah had never brought anyone to church.
Hyde leaned across Josh, put both hands over Josh’s ears and muttered, “If he breaks your heart, I’m going to rip him apart.”
“Good luck with that one,” she said.
“I don’t care how big he is, you haven’t seen me mad.”
“I’ve seen you psychotic, like right now, and it doesn’t look good on you.” Usually she loved her surrogate big brother, but she didn’t need to be reminded that she’d been stood up. It hurt enough.
Hyde gave her a tight smile. “You just wait and you’ll see psychotic. I’m not putting up with him hurting you when I warned him.”
Josh squirmed and looked up at Hyde. “Why you covering my ears?” he said, very loudly, just as the pastor stood at the pulpit.
Several people turned around. Josh lifted his hands, all innocence. He was so cute the people just smiled and turned back around.
Hyde gave her one more concerned look. Sariah loved Hyde, but he must not know Mack very well. Mack wouldn’t hurt her. She discreetly checked over her shoulder. The door remained stubbornly closed. At least not intentionally. At least she didn’t think so. She sighed. What did she know? She’d trusted Tyler the two-timer. They’d dated for six months and she’d never seen through his lies.
The church door whooshed open and Sariah whipped around to look. Mack walked in. She’d seen him in a suit the night of the Patriots’ party. Seeing him in a suit for the second time was just as delicious as the first. The perfectly-tailored navy blue suit complimented his muscular, broad frame. His blue eyes sparkled at her and his blond curls were gelled and smoothed away from his handsome face.
“Mack Quinn is at my church!” Josh was so excited he yelled, interrupting the pastor’s opening remarks.
“Shh,” Mary and Trudy said together.
Sariah just stared at Mack as he eased in next to her. He reached his arm around her shoulder and whispered into her left ear, “Sorry for being late. An accident blocked the freeway.”
“It’s okay.” He was here. She wanted to jump up and cheer.
The congregation was buzzing. They’d gotten used to seeing Hyde Metcalf over the past year but to have another Patriots’ football player coming to church with the Udy family must’ve pushed them right over the edge. Especially since it was Sariah he had his arm around.
The pastor cleared his throat but the chatting continued. Sariah ignored it as she stared up at Mack. His gaze was solely focused on her as well. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.
Her cheeks heated up but she fired right back, “Not as beautiful as you.”
Josh climbed onto her lap. “Can I sit by you, Mr. Quinn?” he asked, all innocent and cute.
Sariah didn’t want to be displaced from Mack’s side, but she would do anything for Josh. Mack easily solved the dilemma by unwrapping his arm from Sariah’s shoulder, plucking Josh off her lap and onto his left leg. He was so big that was all the space Josh needed.
Josh grinned. “You’re so tough,” he said, very loudly.
Sariah laughed. She glanced up and most of the congregation was crane-necking.
“We’d like to welcome Mack Quinn to our congregation today,” the pastor said. “Can we please proceed with the prayer now?”
People whipped back around. Mack kept his left arm around Josh but wrapped his right around Sariah again. She settled into his side and didn’t know when church had been so exciting, or comfortable. Mack was a great mixture of both for her. As soon as the prayer ended, Josh started whispering excitedly in Mack’s ear. Mack responded to her little brother, even as he pulled Sariah tighter against his chest and abdomen. A thrill shot through her. The pastor’s words, everyone’s interested glances, and Hyde’s concerned looks all went over her head. The only thing she could focus on was Mack Quinn.
* * *
Mack felt like a giant in the small dining room of the Udy home. He’d enjoyed church, whispering with Josh and holding Sariah close. Maybe he’d moved too fast, keeping his arm around her throughout the meeting, but only Hyde seemed to be giving him the stink eye. Her parents, family, and the rest of the congregation welcomed him openly. He met so many people after church he couldn’t begin to remember any of their names. Luckily, he had Sariah’s family down.
Mack had helped peel and chop potatoes on the back patio table with Josh before dinner while everyone else did “more important jobs” in Josh’s words. He loved being around Sariah’s little brother. The little guy was full of excitement and football trivia and seemed to idolize Mack, almost as much as Hyde.
Now everyone was squished around the large dining room table, passing food and chatting. Josh had made sure he was sitting between Mack and Hyde. Sariah was on Mack’s right side with Josh on his left. She seemed a lot more comfortable with him on her left so he tried to stay on that side whenever he could.
There were several conversations going on so Mack felt comfortable to just ladle food onto his plate, eat, and observe. There was a lot of food—trout, a venison roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, and homemade rolls—and it all tasted good. Mack was grateful that the family seemed to have plenty of food and they all dressed nice. The house was small and worn, but it was clean and he felt love here just like at his parents’ home in Rhode Island.
“Mr. Quinn, sir,” Josh said through a mouthful of potatoes, “do you think the Rocket and Hyde can take you to the Super Bowl again next year? Hyde won’t promise me anything.”
Mack smiled at Hyde over Josh’s head. He’d always liked Hyde and hoped they could get past this weird vibe of Hyde trying to protect Sariah from Mack. In fairness to Hyde, Mack hadn’t heeded his warnings, but how could Mack have stayed away from Sariah?
Hyde gave him a tentative smile back and ruffled Josh’s hair. “I keep telling you, bud, if I promise and it doesn’t happen that makes me a liar.”
Josh wrinkled his nose. “Then just make it happen!” He shoved a bite of roll dripping with jam into his mouth and said around the bite, “Right, Mr. Quinn?”
“First of all, it’s Mack.”
“Oh, good luck with that one,” Hyde said. “It took me months to get him to call me Hyde.”
Everyone laughed at that and Lily said, “You’re his idol, give the kid a break.”
“I’d better be your idol,” Hyde said, leaning down and kissing her.
“Stop that,” Caleb groaned, but they were all smiling.
Lily whispered something only for Hyde’s ears.
Mack met Sariah’s gaze, wishing he dared kiss her, but he wouldn’t be doin
g it in front of her family.
Josh tugged on his sleeve. “I’m serious, Mr. Quinn, sir. If you promise me, I know nobody can get through you to the Rocket and then the Rocket will have all kinds of time to get the ball to Hyde, and you know Hyde is the best receiver in the world! How can you not make the Super Bowl?”
Mack loved this kid, but he agreed with Hyde. The Super Bowl wasn’t something any team could guarantee. “We will try our very best, Josh.”
Josh sighed and mopped up some gravy with a chunk of roll. “I guess that’s all I can ask of you, Mr. Quinn.”
“I can ask you to call me Mack.”
Josh looked up at him. “Okay, sir, I’ll call you Mack. If you bring your brother, Kaleb Quinn here to meet me. He’s the best singer in the world!”
Mack laughed and the conversation shifted to talking about Kaleb and Jasmine and then everyone wanted him to recount the story of being kidnapped last spring. The dinner and afternoon were pleasant and Mack felt accepted and comfortable with her family. But he really wanted to get Sariah alone again.
Chapter Thirteen
Sariah thought dinner and hanging out after dinner went well. Hyde seemed to calm down and Josh and the rest of her siblings made the conversation fun and interesting. The time went too fast before Mack was saying, “I have to make a five o’clock flight.”
Sariah’s stomach and neck tightened. He was leaving. Would he want to come back? He’d said last night that he liked her and wanted to date her but the fact remained that he lived across the nation and she wasn’t going to be flying to Atlanta anytime soon with her school schedule and job of being with Teresa. She had more money than she’d ever had with Hyde paying her much too generously for being his mom’s companion and she didn’t want to mess that up. She knew Hyde had also paid off her parents’ home and set up education funds for each of them, but her dad wouldn’t allow any more generosity than that.
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