On the Rocks (Mixology #2)(33)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Then add a scuba course to your list of activities.”

“Isn’t a bartending class enough?”

“Nope. You’re doing this.”

“Do you strong arm all of your girlfriends to dive with you?”

“I haven’t had all that many girlfriends.” He looked off.

“How many have you had?” I wasn’t sure why I was asking. The number would have no relation to the number of girls he’d slept with.

“If you count Lauren from 4th grade, four.”

“Same here. Well, boyfriends.”

“Only four?”

“It’s the same as you.”

“Yeah, but you haven’t hooked up with more.”

“How do you know?”

He took a sip of his water. “You don’t just hook up with guys.”

“I almost did with you.”

“But I’m not just a random guy.”

“Why do you do it? Why do you hook up with random girls?”

“I haven’t as often as everyone thinks.” He took a bite of his burger.

“What does that mean?”

“It means people believe what they want to.”

I was about to ask him to elaborate when a brunette walked over to our table.

“Hey, Macon,” she cooed.

My stomach clenched.

Macon gave me an embarassed look. “Hi.”

“I had a great time yesterday. You’re really good at what you do.”

I was ready to punch the girl. Was Macon going to make me suffer through this?

“Uh, thanks, but not any better than most.”

Oh. My. God.

“I’m here another few days. Would you want to hang out sometime?”

She slept with him and now was asking him out?

“I’m sorry…. I uh.” He looked right at me. “I have a girlfriend.”

“Oh.” The girl put a hand to her chest. “I’m so sorry.”

“That’s okay.” He gave her a look like he wanted her to leave. I gave her a look too.

“Oh my gosh. You probably think. Wow. No. He was my dive instructor when I got my nitrox certification. I didn’t. I wouldn’t do that.”

“Dive instructor?”

The girl nodded. “Nice to see you again, Macon.” She slipped away.

Macon shot me a sheepish smile.

“You let me think you slept with that girl the same day we did.”

“It was a little awkward. What was I supposed to do? Say, I didn’t sleep with her?”

“Or mention the diving.” I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms.

“This is probably going to get me in tons of trouble, but you look hot when you’re angry and jealous.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“You were, but let’s leave it at that and eat.”

“You’re so good at what you do… oh my.”

He laughed that sexy laugh of his. “Am I?” he wriggled an eyebrow.

“I don’t know. You haven’t taken me diving yet.”

“We’ll be rectifying that soon.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Oh, I will.”

Chapter Twenty

Macon

Getting out of bed was becoming increasingly difficult. Untangling myself from Carly took will power I didn’t always have. Even after a few weeks I couldn’t get enough. Usually when I’d spent nights with girls we’d end up on the opposite side of the bed by the morning. With Carly it was different. I always woke up with her tucked in my arms.

“You’re going to be late.” She pushed against me lightly, before resettling herself in my arms.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Which means you could get fired.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Get out of bed, Macon.” Carly was so cute when she was frustrated.

“Do you really want me to?”

“You know the answer to that one.”

I kissed her forehead. “We don’t spend enough time together.”

“We’ve spent every night together this week.”

“It’s still not enough.” I ran my fingers through her silky hair.

“Want to do lunch today then?”

“Sure. I’ll have time. How about one o’clock at Urban Kitchen?”

“I’ll just come meet you at the shop. I still haven’t seen it.”

“Sure.” I didn’t love the idea of her being around Caleb, but then again he rarely showed up anymore.

She sat up and scowled. “Is there a reason you don’t want me coming by?”

“Of course not.” I put a hand on her bare leg. She was trying to cover up with the sheet, but she wasn’t trying very hard.

“Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know. You’re really good at your job, aren’t you?”

“What? That girl? Trust me that’s not it.”

“Oh. So you admit there’s a reason.”

“It’s just I don’t really want you near Caleb.”

“Caleb? Who’s that?” Her blank stare made my heart soar.

I kissed her, not settling for a light kiss.

She broke the kiss and laughed. “What’s that for?”

“For being your amazing self.” I hopped out of bed. “Would it be pushing it to ask you to join me in the shower?”

“It would be. Besides, I’m going running so I can’t shower yet.”

“You’re running?” I raised an eyebrow. Carly made her dislike of running known.

“Yes, is that so hard to believe?”

“No. But would you rather work out at a gym?”

“If I had one to work out at.”

“Ok, hold on.” I went over to my drawer and pulled out a guest pass to my gym. “You can use this at Oceanside Fitness. It’s the only gym out this way.”

“Awesome. If I like it maybe I’ll get a membership.”

“That would be nice.” A membership meant she was sticking around. I hadn’t thought much beyond the next few days—but could Carly and I really have a future? I really hoped so.

***

“Why do you keep looking over your shoulder?” Ralph tossed an apple core into the trash can next to me.

“Because someone’s meeting me here. It’s not like her to be late.” I checked for Carly for the millionth time.

“Maddy?” Ralph’s expression brightened.