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

Chapter 18 - Shane

When both Savannah and Candace opted not to join, he and Mackenzie for breakfast, fear had gripped Shane's heart at the thought of Mackenzie doing the same. If she had, he knew that he would have lost his chance to get to know her better, and that wasn't something that Shane had any desire to let happen. From the moment that he'd laid eyes on Mackenzie Sutton at Daryl and Layla's reception the night before, he had known that she was someone that he needed to get to know, and once he had, she'd been at the forefront of his mind ever since.

As he'd watched Mackenzie embrace her friends and say her goodbyes, Shane had dreaded the moment when his turn would come. Shane had braced himself for it and had even tried to remember to breathe so that he wouldn't pass out, but when she'd turned to him, and smiled all of that had gone out of the window, because the air had seized in his damn lungs. Her pale green eyes caused his heart to skip a beat each and every time that she looked at him, and when she smiled, it took everything in him not to pull her into his arms and kiss her. But Shane knew that Mackenzie wasn't ready for that, and after the way that she'd practically ran into her suite and shut the door in his face the night before, he wasn't about to rush her into something that she would be uncomfortable with. Shane had decided that he would just try like hell to be patient, and to move at whatever speed and pace that Mackenzie set.

He had resigned himself to his decision, until she'd smiled up at him, and took his breath away as she'd said, "You know what...if you toss in two of those mini cinnamon rolls, you have a deal." Now, as they sat at the hotel's restaurant eating the breakfast that he'd promised, Shane was surprised at the Level of comfort that he felt with Mackenzie. Things seemed natural with her in a way that he had never experienced before.

When Shane was with Coryn, he felt as if she were always playing a part or performing a role. Granted, he knew that she had a very successful modeling career, but Shane wanted their time together to be just the two of them, and he never felt as if he were getting the real Coryn. He'd never seen her without her makeup, or a single hair out of place. Hell, even when she'd had the flu last year, she'd looked "runway ready", as she so often said. Just once, Shane had wanted to see the real her, and not the magazine cover model that she had to show for everyone else.

As he sat across from Mackenzie, he loved how natural, and real she was. She wore no makeup, and although her long auburn hair was gorgeous as it fell in layers around her shoulders and down her back, it didn't look frozen in place, like Coryn's always did. Hell, he even liked the fact that her nails were bare, and plain. No false tips, or over the top colors and accessories. Mackenzie was 100% natural, and Shane had to admit to loving that about her.

"Wow, so you're flying to New England when you leave here today. And you said that you'd flown to Miami from Dallas before catching a flight here to Vegas a couple of days ago?" Mackenzie gave him a stunned look as she lifted her glass of orange juice to her lips, taking a sip as she waited for his response. Wiping his mouth with his napkin, Shane placed it back on his lap as he nodded his head and sat back in his seat. "Yes, I am. It was a last-minute change to my flight plans because I had originally planned to fly back to Miami this afternoon. We've been waiting for all of the terms of my client's contract to be agreed upon, and now that they have been, I'm flying to New England to let him know." Smiling, Shane said, "We've been going back and forth on this for months, so I want to deliver the great news to him in person."

Sitting back in her chair, Mackenzie gave him a considering look as she said, "You have such a hectic life Shane. When do you get to rest, or take a break?" Surprised at her question, because no one other than his family ever seemed to be concerned about whether or not he took a break, or got any rest, Shane released a cleansing breath, before he shrugged and said, "Honestly Mackenzie, I rarely ever do." Brows furrowed, Shane shifted in his seat, and glanced down at his finger as he absently traced a circle on the table. Glancing up, he met Mackenzie's gaze as he said, "I don't really have much else in my life besides my work, so I like to stay busy." Shane watched as her face morphed into a frown as she asked, "So...you don't date?" Seeing the flush that covered her face and neck as if she were surprised by her own question, Shane watched as Mackenzie shifted in her seat before she cleared her throat and said, "I mean...of course you date...um...why would you not?" Shaking her head, and glancing away, she said, "I'm sorry, it's none of my business..." A wide smile spread across Shane's face as he tilted his head to the side before playfully narrowing his eyes at her and in a teasing tone said, "Are you asking me if I'm single Mackenzie?" Seeing the blush that covered her cheeks resurfacing had Shane chuckling, and deciding not to make her any more uncomfortable, he said, "I'm joking.... but yes, I do date." And locking eyes with her, Shane wanted to convey his sincerity as his tone became serious and he added, "But I've recently decided to make some changes in my life."

Mackenzie's green gaze became inquisitive as she asked, "What sort of changes?" Shane lifted his bottle of water to his lips and took a generous sip before replacing the cap and sitting the almost empty bottle on the table. Taking a moment to consider his answer to Mackenzie's question, Shane's eyes scanned the busy restaurant before returning to meet Mackenzie's patient gaze. "This past weekend has shown me that I need to focus on what's important." Smiling, Mackenzie said, "Like?" Returning the smile, Shane said, "Like...spending time with the people that matter most in my life and getting some much-needed rest." Mackenzie's smile widened and pointing her empty fork at him, she nodded as she said, "I think that's a great idea Shane, and when you get back from New England, you should put that plan into motion."

Nodding his head, Shane gave Mackenzie a huge smile as he said, "You know what Ms. Sutton...I think that's an excellent idea." Shane watched as Mackenzie smiled, before slicing off a piece of her cinnamon bun, and forking the piece into her mouth. He shook his head, and chuckled as she closed her eyes and groaned in pleasure. In that moment, Shane decided to schedule a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina so that he could spend more time with Mackenzie as soon as he returned to Miami, and smiling to himself, he thought... "Yeah...that's most definitely an excellent idea."