On the Rocks (Mixology #2)(27)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

I laughed. “All right. I owe you that at least.”

We made our way back to the condo, and along the way I realized I had two choices. I could hide out all day at Colin’s house and hope things blew over, or I could face things head on. The first option sounded a whole lot easier, but I had promised Brody I’d try. Talking to Macon couldn’t make things more awkward, could it?

Brody made himself scarce as soon as we walked inside. I gave myself a few minutes. I wasted time washing out the coffee mugs and emptying the dishwasher, but eventually I knew it was time to face the music.

I knocked on his closed door, remembering where the whole mess started—with me knocking on that very same door.

“Come in,” Macon called without the hint of sleep. Was he just sitting in there waiting for me to leave or something?

I cautiously pushed open the door. He was still in bed, the blankets resting at his waist. I tried to stop looking at his bare chest and wondering if he was wearing those red plaid boxers underneath the sheets.

“Hey.” He said the word like the night before hadn’t happened.

“Hey…” I winced at the moment of awkward silence. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, but what exactly are you thanking me for this time? My stellar bartending skills?”

I ignored his joke. I was too nervous to even go there. “Respecting me enough to stop things last night.” Brody was right. The reason I’d been so brave with Macon had been the alcohol, and that in itself meant I was drunk.

A slow smile spread across his lips. “In that case, you’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re not mad.”

I took a seat on the end of his bed, the awkwardness slowly fading. “Yeah… I was mad.”

He leaned up on one elbow. “Is that so?”

“Well, embarrassed. I mean who can’t get you into bed?”

He coughed. “Excuse me? Are you implying I’m easy?”

I laughed. “Clearly not easy enough.”

“Carly?”

“Yeah?” I braced myself for whatever snide remark was coming.

“Come here.” He patted the space next to him.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Getting that close to Macon when he was nearly naked both scared and excited me. My feelings were so extreme when it came to him.

“Yes. Absolutely.”

I got up, and he held open the blankets. My heart sped up and my head spun with confusion. What was happening?

“Don’t overthink this, babe.”

I didn’t say anything, I just slid in next to him. As soon as my head hit the pillow he pulled me into his arms. “I have no clue what’s going on with us, but I like how I feel right now. Let’s just start here. No overthinking things, no worrying about what did or didn’t happen last night.” He ran his hand up and down my arm “Can you just do that for me?”

I snuggled into his warm arms. “What are you asking of me exactly?”

“I don’t know. This.”

For some odd and inexplicable reason, I knew exactly what he meant. “Okay.”

“Good. Now let’s get down to business.”

“Business?”

“Yeah, with Colin and Maddy. Where do we start?”

“I have some ideas.” I turned in his arms so I was looking at him. It should have been awkward, but it wasn’t.

“I knew you’d say that.”

Chapter Sixteen

Macon

It was good to have the old Carly back. Holding her in my arms reminded me of why I had to be careful not to do anything so stupid again. I had no clue how I was going to control my feelings for her, so I turned to the only tactic I knew, avoidance. I’d focus on what I could handle, interfering in someone else’s life.

Carly thought that a united front was important. We needed to talk to Colin together, but we also had to be careful to make sure we didn’t make him suspicious. I knew we’d be fine. She was his sister and I was Maddy’s best friend. Who better to meddle in his proposal?

We drove over to Colin’s place that night when we knew Maddy was already at work. Carly kept playing with her hair the whole way over. I’d learned that was a nervous habit of hers.

As expected, Colin was working when we got there. Carly had used her key to get in, and she shouted upstairs to get his attention. We waited in the foyer for Colin to join us. He seemed open, yet wary to our suggestions.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t take her on a trip? I thought you guys were going to laugh at my first idea, honestly.”

“She’s going to love it.” I decided to lay it on thick. “Maddy’s a sucker for nostalgia. You need to play up your past to show her how it connects to your future.”

Carly grinned. I’d promised her I’d make sure our plan worked, and I wasn’t going to let her—or Maddy—down. Colin wasn’t a perfect guy, but he was head over heels in love with Maddy. He also made her happy again. He was the right one for her, and I wasn’t going to let her own insecurities, or his perfectionist tendencies mess anything up.

“So you really think I should do it this weekend? That isn’t rushing things?”

“How long have you been planning on proposing?” It was Carly’s turn.

“Since we were still in Paris.”

“Exactly.” Carly touched his arm. “Why wait?”

“Ok, what’s going on here?” He turned to Carly first, but I was next.

“What are you taking about?” Carly asked.

“Why do you care when I propose? I know you like Maddy—but this is excessive even for you. And Macon, you don’t even like me.”

“That’s not true… I like you for Maddy.” He really did make her happy.

“Fine. Something is still going on.” He crossed his arms. “I’m not doing anything until one of you tells me what that is.”

This was it. My moment, my chance to cinch the deal.

Carly beat me to the punch. “I want you to do it while I’m still here.”

“What do you mean? Where are you going?” His tone went from suspicious to concerned.

“I’m thinking about leaving next week.” She bit her lip nervously.

She was a horrible liar, and Colin knew it. “Leaving? Why?”

“I don’t want to feel like I’m messing things up between you and Maddy. I don’t want to be in the way.”

“You made this clear when you moved out. You’re not in the way, Carly.” Colin eyed her warily.