Book 2: What Happens Here - Chicago (What Happens Here Series)

Chapter 10 - Candace

Once they'd dropped her cousin off at the airport, Candace, Mackenzie, Van and Shane climbed back into the town car limo. The air inside of the vehicle was tense and quiet for a moment as everyone processed what had happened. Candace glanced around the space, and took in the faces of her friends, and when she saw Mackenzie's worried expression as she nervously chewed her bottom lip, while staring off into space, had Candace reaching over to gently grip her hand, and giving it a comforting squeeze. When Mackenzie met her gaze, she gave Candace a half smile before she said, "Thanks."

Feeling eyes on her, Candace's eyes jerked to the gorgeous man seated next to Mackenzie. Shane's blue eyes darted down to where she was holding Mack's hand, and when they rose to meet hers again, he gave her an appreciative nod. Since he'd walked into Mackenzie's room an hour before, Candace hadn't missed the way that Shane continued to glance at Mackenzie, or how he'd watched her. It was obvious to her that Shane was interested in Mack, and if she wasn't mistaken, Mack was just as interested in Shane, even if she were trying her damnedest to fight it.

Candace's attention was pulled to Van when she said, "Jazz just sent a text and said she made the flight!" Candace released Mack's hand and slumped back into her seat as relief flowed through her. They had told the driver not to leave until they'd gotten confirmation that Jasmine had made the flight, because they weren't about to leave her stranded at the damn airport. Her cousin had been through enough that morning, and she wasn't about to allow her to go through anything else, if she could help it.

Knowing that Jasmine had made the flight, and that she and Ethan were on their way to Chicago to hopefully continue building on what they had started that weekend, gave Candace a tremendous sense of comfort. She smiled and laid her head back on the headrest as she closed her eyes.

"Thank goodness! I was so afraid that she wouldn't make the flight." Hearing Mack's statement had Candace opening her eyes, as she directed her attention to her. When Shane gently bumped shoulders with Mackenzie before smiling down at her, Candace watched as Mackenzie smiled shyly up at him. Glancing to Van, she smiled as she watched a knowing smirk cross Van's lip.

Shane was gorgeous, and if the way that Mackenzie reached up and pulled a section of her long auburn hair behind her ear before she turned away and glanced anywhere but at Shane were any indication, she had most definitely noticed. Hell, how could she not! Shane Reyes was drool worthy, and although Candace loved her man, she wasn't blind!

Still holding her phone and reading the message from Jasmine, Van frowned as she said, "Jazz said we were right about Valentina." Anger filled Candace and she said, "I knew it! That crazy ass chick needs her ass beat, and I say we go find her and handle that shit before we leave." Laughing, Van threw her hands up as she shook her head, and said, "Girl! There you go again." Mackenzie laughed, and shrugged as she said, "I don't know Van. I'm close to siding with Candace on this one."

Pointing towards Mack as she nodded in agreement, Candace smiled as she said, "Hell yeah! See Van, that's two against one!" When Shane chuckled and said, "Hell, make that three against one", Candace leaned forward and lifted her hand, and laughed when Shane gave her a high-five. Van shook her head and gave them an incredulous look before she said, "Oh hell...see what you've done Candace. You've finally corrupted Mack!" Feigning hurt, Shane said, "Hey...what about me?" Van arched one brow as she said, "I get the feeling that you were corrupted a long time ago Shane." They all laughed at Van's statement, and Shane shrugged before he gave Van a huge smile that Candace knew was one that he used as a weapon against the opposite sex.

When Shane smiled, Candace watched as Mackenzie glanced away and shifted in her seat. Oh yeah...Mack was definitely interested in Mr. Shane Reyes, and Candace smiled at that fact because after the way Mack had tragically lost the love of her life, she prayed that Mack would find love again.