Her Last Best Fling

by Candace Havens

  Except, that this was just a fling.

  I must keep telling myself that.

  Harley, who sat in the back of Blake’s truck, on her special blanket, licked Macy’s elbow. It was almost as if she wanted to tell her, you’ll be okay. You have me.

  Reaching behind, she scratched the dog’s ear.

  And for that I’m grateful.

  It didn’t take them long to arrive at the animal shelter, but still, bunches of children dressed in an array of costumes had already climbed the hill and gotten there ahead of them.

  Blake had assisted with the carving of several pumpkins, which adorned the front porch and the lobby. For safety’s sake they had put battery-operated candles inside the jack-o’-lanterns. A good idea, since the first thing Harley did was step in one on the way into the building.

  She freaked out until Blake was able to get her paw out of the offending orange ball. Harley growled at it.

  “Bad jack-o’-lantern, bad.” Blake wagged a finger at the pumpkin, which seemed to please the dog.

  Blake put Harley’s dragon ears and scales on her. They’d been another gift from Cherie. The scales covered the dog’s back and buckled around her belly and neck. The ears were on a headband of sorts.

  She pranced around as if she were the queen of everything.

  “You are the cutest dragon I’ve ever seen,” Blake muttered as he scratched her behind the ears.

  Back outside, Macy kept her coat on. She got a kick out of watching Blake interact with all the kids. He’d worn jeans and a T-shirt that had the Avengers logo on it. He’d told her he wasn’t much into costumes.

  By eight, the crowds had thinned out. That was fine since they were almost out of candy.

  “That went by a lot faster than I expected,” he said.

  “You were great. The kids loved you, and you definitely know your superheroes.”

  He laughed. “I love to read, and comic books were cheap when I was a kid. I had a habit of losing library books, so my mom only let me take one out a week. Comic books were a cheap alternative.”

  The man was nothing but contradictions. He was definitely more than a pretty face. He was as tough as they came, but he was also intelligent and thoughtful.

  Everything a woman could want, and then some.

  And he wanted her.

  “What’s going on?” he asked as he shifted into Drive and steered the truck away from the shelter.

  “Hmm? Oh. Honestly, I’m sort of awed by how amazing you are. What I don’t understand is why me? When you could quite obviously have a fling with any woman you wanted.”

  At the stop sign, he glanced over at her. “That you don’t see how beautiful, smart and funny you are is one of the reasons I like you so much. Why would I want anyone else when I have you?”

  If Harley’s enormous head wasn’t on the armrest between them, Macy might have moved into his lap right then and there. “You really do always know what to say.”

  The street he turned onto was crowded with cars on both sides. She loved this part of Tranquil Waters. Many of the houses had been built in the early 1900s. The neighborhood was decked out in fall colors and Halloween decorations. People were out in their yards chatting while kids ran around in their costumes.

  “It’s going to be a hike to find somewhere to park. Do you want me to drop you off in front of my friend’s place?”

  Definitely not. The last thing she wanted to do was walk into a party where she knew no one—in a skimpy genie costume. “I’m up for a walk. I had my fair share of candy tonight. Are you sure it’s okay to bring Harley?”

  “Yep. Jaime loves dogs.”

  She’d never brought a dog the size of a horse to a party.

  “No! I can’t believe I forgot.”

  “What?”

  “A gift. Your rule about always bringing a gift to a party. I’ve been rushing around and I didn’t remember to get anything.”

  He grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ve got us covered. I had flowers delivered earlier today from the both of us. One of those fall bouquets. Jaime loves flowers.”

  Wait. Jaime was a girl? He’d been telling her stories the past couple of days about how he and Jaime were always in trouble together as kids.

  Before she could mention it, they were at the door of one of the largest homes on the block. A wraparound porch and two-story columns gave it a plantation house feel.

  The open door led into a foyer the shape and size of a rotunda. It was a fit for the Southern mansion. Dark wood floors graced the area, and a huge round table with a bouquet of flowers sat below a crystal chandelier. There were two staircases with banisters draped in magnolia garlands.

  “Oh. My. God! It’s my favorite marine.” A woman in a formfitting Catwoman suit threw her arms around Blake and kissed him hard on the mouth.

  And he didn’t seem to mind a bit.

  “Hey, stinky. What’s up?”

  “You’re late,” she said when she stepped back and eyed him up and down. “And you aren’t wearing a costume. I told you that you had to wear a costume.”

  “You know I don’t do costumes. I was giving a hand out at the animal shelter, which is why I’m late.” That seemed to remind him that she was standing there. “This is my friend Macy,” he said as he put an arm around her shoulders.

  The happy smile faded from the woman’s face as she gave Macy the once-over.

  “You that Yankee newspaper editor?”

  “Jaime, be nice,” Blake warned, but with a playful tone to his voice.

  Refusing to back down, Macy jutted out her chin. “Yes.”

  “This is who you’re dating? Do we not have enough women in the South that you have to start in on the Northerners?”

  Blake pointed a finger at his friend. “I really like her, so play nice. I mean it.”

  Her hero. Macy smiled up at him.

  “What, for goodness’ sake, is that?”

  Harley cocked her head.

  “That’s Macy’s dog, Harley,” he answered.

  Jaime glanced back at Macy. “Great Dane?”

  “Yes.”

  The woman smiled at her. Then she put two fingers to her mouth and blew an earsplitting whistle.

  A dark gray, almost blue, Great Dane with silvery eyes trotted into the room.

  “Harley, this is Bruno.”

  “If you don’t want that costume shredded in the next five minutes, I suggest you take if off of Harley. Bruno gets jealous when other dogs have things he doesn’t. Though, I’m definitely going to get him a costume for next year because that dragon outfit is too cute.”

  Macy wondered if the dog might attack Harley, and she put herself between the two animals.

  “Oh, don’t worry. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. But he would try to get that outfit off of her for himself. He loves everything with ruffles, patterns and either brown or green.”

  Blake took the costume off of Harley and she shook herself.

  “Now, Bruno, play nice. Take her out to the clubhouse.”

  The dog glanced back at his owner and nodded.

  Were all Great Danes so smart?

  “Are you sure they’ll be okay?” Macy wasn’t worried about Bruno being with Harley, she was concerned as to how Harley would interact with him. She got along with the other dogs at the shelter, but she’d always been supervised.

  “I’m sure,” Jaime said. “Blake, go say hello to everyone. I want to speak to your Yankee lady.”

  Blake stared at Macy. “I think that might make her uncomfortable. It’s probably best if I stick around.”

  Macy appreciated that he wanted to stay by her, but she wasn’t a child.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t bite her,” Jaime promised. “Besides, anyone with a dog like that
is okay in my book. Great Danes are sensitive and bright, and extremely needy. They take a lot of love, time and patience. That’s something your Yankee will need if she’s going to train you up, as well.”

  Blake rolled his eyes.

  Macy laughed.

  Jaime made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on. She’ll join you in a minute.”

  “I’m okay,” she assured him. “I’ll find you when we’re done.”

  Curious about why Jaime wanted her alone, she encouraged him to go.

  Jaime reached out to shake her hand. “Sorry about that. I’m a bit protective of him,” she said. “He’s like a brother to me.”

  Weird, she’d never seen anyone kiss a brother like that, but Macy kept her mouth shut. She shook the woman’s hand.

  “You have a great house,” Macy said. Her mind was awhirl with questions.

  “Belonged to my great-grandma. We’ve tried to keep the restoration accurate, but it isn’t easy.”

  She motioned for Macy to follow her.

  “We’ll put your coat in here.” Jamie stood in front of a long hall closet and held out her hand for the garment.

  “I—that is, my costume’s quite revealing.”

  The woman judged her warily. “It can’t be any more revealing than mine, or some of the others in here. Tara has a French maid’s outfit on. Every time she bends over to get some food, she flashes her red thong to the entire room. It can’t be any worse than that.”

  Macy slipped off the coat, feeling exposed.

  “Well, you are as pretty as he said. It’s not fair that you have those legs and that chest.”

  She wasn’t sure how to respond to that...compliment?

  “He’s head over heels for you.”

  “What?” The sudden change in topic had Macy’s mind spinning.

  “Blake. We’ve never seen him like this over a woman. He called every single person at this party and told them they’d better welcome you or else.” She laughed at Macy’s grimace. “I know. But he’s protective that way. I like the fact that you stood up to me back there. I have a feeling you and I could be friends. But there’s just one thing you should know.”

  “What’s that?” Macy walked next to her as they entered the living room full of people.

  “If you hurt him, I will do the same to you.” The threat was undeniable. “And I always mean exactly what I say.”

  Macy was about to tell the woman to back off, but she was equally protective of Blake. “If it makes you feel any better, I think he’s the most incredible man I’ve ever met.”

  Jaime seemed to be in shock. “Oh, you have it just as bad for him. Interesting. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”

  She wasn’t sure about what to make of that comment, but across the room she spotted someone she knew.

  “Excuse me, I see a friend of mine.”

  Josh, the veterinarian from the shelter, stood by a bay window talking to another guest.

  When he saw her, he smiled brightly. “Hey,” he said and hugged her, “I didn’t know you’d be here.” He left an arm around her shoulders, which she didn’t mind at the moment. She was grateful to have at least one other person, besides Blake, be nice to her.

  She shrugged. “I’m on a date. He was the one who was invited.”

  Josh’s eyes widened in surprise. “Good, good. Seems like you’re assimilating into the town really well. Let me introduce you to Brendan Tucker. He and his wife, Jaime, are the hosts of the party.”

  Macy shook the man’s hand.

  “I met your wife,” she said, searching for something polite to say.

  The two men laughed. “She can be a bit much, but she’s a sweetheart once you get to know her,” Brendan said.

  “I’ll have to take your word on that. Frankly, I’ve dealt with insurgents who were less scary.”

  The men howled.

  “So who’s your date?” Josh asked.

  “I am,” a deep voice said from behind them. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d get your hands off my woman.”

  “Blake,” Macy admonished. It made little sense. Why would he act so jealous? It was ridiculous. They barely knew each other and Josh was a genuine good guy.

  “Who’s going to make me?” Josh said with heat in his voice.

  What was happening here?

  Macy ducked away from Josh’s arm and stood apart from the two men. They were glaring at each another.

  “I am, jerk.” Blake stepped forward.

  “Now, fellas. You know Jaime will have a fit if you break anything. Everyone calm down,” Brendan cajoled.

  “Why did you have your arm around Macy?” Blake growled at Josh.

  “She’s my friend. We went out a couple of times when she first came to town. What’s the big deal? You aren’t still mad at me after all this time? I wasn’t the one who made you write those letters.”

  “Wait a minute,” Blake whispered harshly. “You two dated.”

  His snapped around to look at Macy as if she were some kind of traitor.

  She’d had enough.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with the two of you, but you’re embarrassing me.”

  “Answer the question, Macy. Did you date my former best friend?”

  His former best friend?

  Oh. Ohhhh. This must be some male feud and she’d stepped right into the middle of it. “Two times,” she replied.

  “And that was it,” Josh said. “We knew from the get-go that we weren’t right for each other. But we are friends. She volunteers at the shelter so we see each other occasionally.”

  Blake’s mouth formed a thin line. He focused in on Macy. “You never mentioned that you went out with anyone in town.”

  “You never asked. And anyway, nothing happened with your former best friend. You’re acting so foolish. Both of you.”

  With that she stomped out in search of her dog. She would not put up with that kind of arrogant behavior from any man. She and Blake were causal. He had no right to—

  She froze in midstep. Hadn’t she felt the same about him when his friend Jaime had kissed him?

  I was as jealous, just not as vocal about it.

  “Hey, genie, why don’t you come over here and grant me my three wishes?” a man in a Frankenstein costume called out. A crowd stood around him.

  They all laughed.

  She turned her back on them.

  “Told you the Yankee girl was a witch.”

  These people were beyond rude.

  “You know what, Frankenstein, so much for that Southern hospitality you folks talk about. I’m proud to be from the North. In fact—”

  “George, are you giving Macy a hard time? Because if you are, I’m going to have some serious words with you,” Jaime said as slipped her arm through Macy’s in a clear sign of solidarity. “This is Blake’s girl, so that means she’s like family. And you know how I feel about my family. You all apologize right now.”

  Without hesitation, apologies were quickly issued.

  “Forgive me, Macy,” George said. “I’d blame the whiskey, but sometimes I’m simply an old fool. Just ask my three ex-wives.”

  The crowd chuckled, the tension evaporated instantly.

  Macy looked to Jaime so they wouldn’t see her smile. “You didn’t have to do that,” she told her.

  “I meant what I said. I’m sorry about before. This couldn’t have been fun for you what with friends fighting, George being his stupid self and me acting like, well, we know what I was acting like.”

  Macy shrugged. “I’ve been to worse parties.”

  Jaime guffawed. “You’re all right. I need to check on the caterers in the kitchen. Come with me?”

  What she really wanted was to go ho
me, but she followed Jaime.

  The kitchen bustled with servers and food preparers sprinting around and shouting.

  “Pietro, those mushroom caps are a hit.”

  One of the guys in a chef’s hat blew Jaime a kiss before opening one of the ovens to put in a tray of what looked like hors d’oeuvres.

  Walking along the kitchen island, big enough for a dozen bar stools, Jaime inspected the food. Then she grabbed a plate and took food from several of the trays. She handed the plate to Macy. “This one’s for you.”

  She loaded up another plate. “This one’s for me. I never get to eat when I throw parties, but I’m starved. Come on, let’s go check on the dogs.”

  “Are Blake and Josh all right, do you think?”

  Jaime laughed. “My husband is there, and they’re scared to death of him. They won’t get too out of hand.”

  “Why are they scared of him?”

  “Because he’s the only man who can tame me, so he must be one real son of a gun. And he is. I talk tough, but I’d do anything for that man. The love of my life, and he knows it.”

  Next door to the kitchen was the breakfast room, which looked out over a pool area. Macy could see Harley chasing Bruno around the cabana. The two dogs stopped for a second, and then Bruno began chasing Harley.

  “They’re pals already, see?” Jaime sat on one of the loungers and leaned back a heated lamp nearby. She put the plate of food on her chest and started eating.

  Macy sat on a lounger next to her.

  “Sorry,” Jaime said after swallowing a bite-size quiche. “I haven’t had anything but water and vegetables for a week so I’d fit in this damn costume.”

  Macy grinned. “Hey, it worked. You look incredible.”

  “Thanks for that. And I really am sorry about earlier. When we heard Blake was injured this time, well, we’re all kind of protective of him. He’s always been such a stand-up type of guy. And I didn’t lie, he is like my brother. He has dated in the past, obviously, but—I’ve never seen him like he is with you. I noticed him when Josh hugged you. He’d been giving you the loving eyes from across the room, and then it was like a cartoon. I was surprised steam didn’t come out of his ears when Josh put his arm around your shoulders.