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

Chapter 14 - Mackenzie

Shane's nearness was having an effect on Mackenzie that she wasn't sure how to handle. On one hand she was curious about how being with Shane would feel, and on the other, she struggled with the guilt of wanting his hands on her body. Why in the hell was she feeling like this? Since meeting Nick that night at their high school's championship basketball game, she hadn't so much as looked at another guy, and over the past four years since his death, that never changed. Oh, men had approached her over the past four years, and even when Nick was alive, but Mackenzie knew the night that she'd met Nickolas Sutton that he owned her heart. And unfortunately, he'd taken it with him when he died.

Now, this man, Shane Reyes was stirring things in her that she hadn't felt since she'd met Nick, and Mackenzie wasn't sure if she even wanted to feel anything anymore. How do you move past losing the love of your life? The past four years had been hard on Mackenzie, but the one thing that kept her going was NJ. If Nick had died and she didn't have a part of him left behind, there's no way that she would have survived losing him.

For weeks after Nick's death Mackenzie had lain in bed and grieved. If not for Jasmine stopping by to bring her food and to keep her company, she wasn't sure if she would have been able to push through the pain in her heart. Jasmine had been a real blessing because she had been there to help Mackenzie throughout her pregnancy, by attending Lamaze classes, and helping her to paint and to decorate the nursery. Jasmine had been there that snowy night in February when she'd gone into labor, and Jasmine had even been there to hold her hand as she'd welcomed her and Nick's son into the world. Nickolas Andrew Sutton Jr, or "NJ" as he was affectionately known, made his entrance into the world at 4:18AM on February 10th, the day before Nick's 27th birthday.

"Hey, do you think we have time to go kick Valentina's ass before we grab breakfast?" At Shane's whispered words, Mackenzie's eyes widened before she threw her head back and burst out laughing. Shane laughed as well, and the sound rolled over her skin like a caress. They'd laughed together in much the same way the night before, but after she'd pretty much slammed the door in his face, she thought it would be awkward around him, but it was anything but.

When Shane stepped towards the limo and extended his hand to help Van out, Mackenzie smiled. Shane Reyes was definitely chivalrous, and she added that to the "likes" column that she'd started in her head. Smiling, Van placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her out of the limo. "Why, thank you so much Mr. Reyes." When he flashed Van the smile that caused butterflies in her stomach, Mackenzie felt a small flutter of envy that surprised her.

What the hell?

Shane repeated his act of chivalry with Candace, and when she climbed out of the limo, she was holding her phone up to her ear. After Candace gave Shane a smile and a wink, the little green-eyed monster hidden inside of Mackenzie flared to life once again. Why in the hell was she jealous? Shane wasn't anything to her. Shane was NOT her man, and besides that, she knew that Van and Candace had no interest in him, so why did the sight of him touching Van, and the smile that he was currently given Candace, bother her so much?

Shaking off her irrational thoughts, Mackenzie stood quietly as she watched Candace lift a finger as she murmured, "This is work, give me a sec." Frowning, Mackenzie moved to stand next to Van, and asked, "She's getting a call on a Sunday? Did something happen at the firm?" Shrugging, Van said, "We were about to get out of the car, and her phone rang, so I'm not sure what happened." They turned in time to see Candace walking back towards them, an apologetic look on her face. "Hey, I'm sorry you guys, but I'm going to have to skip breakfast. I've got a conference call in 15 minutes, and I need to head back to my suite so I can take it." Frowning, Shane said, "Okay. I hope everything is alright?" Nodding appreciatively, Candace said, "Yeah, thanks Shane. Everything is fine. You guys go and enjoy breakfast. I'll just order something when I get back to my room." Mackenzie said, "Okay, but you better text me when you land in Atlanta, so I know you got there safely." Smiling, Candace said, "Of course, and you guys do the same", and turning to Shane, she said, "The next time we're all together, I'm holding you to that breakfast offer." Returning the smile, Shane said, "You got it."

When Candace pulled Mackenzie in for a hug, she whispered, "Stop thinking so hard, and just enjoy the moment, Mack." Pulling back, Mackenzie frowned as Candace gave her a wink before she pulled Van in for a hug as well. When Candace hugged Shane, and turned to walk away, the irrational feelings of jealousy flared inside of Mackenzie for an instant before she managed to suppress it. She really needed to get a handle on that craziness...and fast.

Van sighed as she said, "You know what guys, I think I'm going to head back to my suite as well." Rubbing her slightly protruding belly, she said, "After the stress of this morning, my stomach feels all jittery. I think I'll lay down for a little bit before we head to the airport." Frowning, Mackenzie reached out and placed a hand on Van's arm as she said, "Sweetie...are you sure you're okay? I can come up with you if you want?" Shaking her head, Van waved her off as she said, "No. You guys go and enjoy breakfast, I'll text you when I land in Denver." Still frowning, Mackenzie said, "Are you sure Hon?" Nodding her head, Van gave her a reassuring smile as she said, "Absolutely. I'll order something to eat, and then I'll lay down for a little bit. Besides, I need to call Mike and let him know what happened this morning."

In that instance, Shane stepped to Mackenzie's side and said, "If you guys want, you can use the limo to take you back to the airport when you leave. Just tell the concierge that you were here for the Edwards and Moretti wedding, and the driver will take you to the airport. That way you don't have to wait for a taxi or pay for an Uber." Smiling, Van said, "Thanks Shane. That would be great. I'll let Candace know." Reaching out to touch his arm, Van said, "And thank you for what you did for Jasmine this morning also. If you and Mackenzie hadn't figured out what Valentina had done, her lies could have ruin everything for Ethan and Jasmine." Covering Van's hand with his own, Shane smiled as he said, "All the credit should go to Mackenzie..." And locking eyes with Mackenzie, Shane winked at her before he said, "...because after all, she is the one that reached out to me and told me what was going on. If not for her, I doubt that we would have figured it out in time."

Hearing the genuine praise in Shane's voice and seeing the warmth in his eyes sent tingles up Mackenzie's spine, but the tingles didn't just stop there.... they hit her nipples and arrowed down to her core at the same time. The breath caught in her lungs when she felt the material of her bra as it rubbed up against the hard peak of her nipples, and she bit the corner of her lip to stifle the moan that almost escaped her lips.

What in the candy-striped hell was going on with her today?!

As if he sensed the affect that he had on her body, Shane's eyes dropped to her chest for the briefest of moments before his attention returned to Van. When Mackenzie's attention turned to her friend, Mackenzie met her knowing blue gaze, and if Mackenzie didn't know any better, she would've thought that Van knew the affect Shane was having on her body as well. But that was crazy though...right?

A part of her wanted to glance down at her chest to see if her nipples were showing through her shirt, but she didn't want to draw attention to them if they weren't. When Mackenzie thought about her nipples, they seemed to harden even more, which made the material rub against them again, and she felt the sensation between her legs as well. Damnit!

Smiling, Van said, "Okay...well, you guys enjoy breakfast, and I'll text you later.... okay Mack?" Pulling her friend into a tight hug, Mackenzie whispered, "I know what you guys are doing, and I hate you both for it." When they parted Van's smile was wide as she winked and said, "I love you too Mack."

It was in that moment that Mackenzie knew her friends were playing matchmaker.

Shit.