Free Speaking of Love (Perfect Kisses) by Ophelia London

time. And he always looked good. His hair was dark, almost black. He was wearing it longer these days. If Mac thought about it, she liked it better that way, but she didn’t usually think about it. Tess was right: he did rock a little Marky Mark, and his mannerisms could be rather ape-like. But it was only a lunch.
    “Good afternoon, ladies,” Jeremy said in a swagger voice as Mac and Brandy got to the table. He didn’t stand up, but wasn’t that an old-fashioned custom, anyway? He raised his water glass instead.
    Mac slid into the chair next to him, while Brandy sat across from her. Only one more empty chair to fill.
    “Have you been waiting long?” Mac asked after kissing his cheek.
    Jeremy shook his head.
    Their table was outside, but standing heaters surrounded it. It was a lovely day, just as Mac had predicted. Perfect for outside dining.
    Before the chitchat began, Mac spotted Rick’s car whip around the corner. His car was always easy to spot—or his cars . He had several. She never knew which one he would show up in. Lately, it was the leathery Mercedes or the black Cadillac SUV, which was what he was in today. Probably because of the heated leather seats. In less than a minute, he was striding toward their table.
    “Hello,” he said, sounding a bit winded. He wasn’t that late, Mac thought, eyeing him. He didn’t have to run from the parking lot.
    I guess some men never get over the idea of dating the prom queen.
    “Rick, this is Brandy,” Mac said, playing the role of good matchmaker.
    “Hi,” Brandy said, showing a dazzling smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Rick replied. His smile was just as dazzling.
    “And this is Jeremy.” Mac waved in her date’s direction. “We’re old friends.”
    “Hey there,” Rick said, shaking Jeremy’s hand. He unbuttoned his coat and shrugged it off. Mac didn’t recognize the dark blue cashmere sweater he was wearing, but it looked good on him. Really good. The color, the fabric… And when he rotated his body to drape his coat over the back of his chair, she noticed how the fine cut of the sweater accentuated his chest and back muscles.
    He didn’t wear clothes like that when he was around her. Mostly, she saw him in evening suits or his cute hipster reporter wardrobe. Maybe this was his official “date attire.”
    She leaned an elbow on the table, still looking at him. Not bad. In fact, compared to this nice-fitting sweater, his other clothing didn’t do his body justice. But what was Mac doing thinking about Rick’s body? He was Brandy’s date, maybe even her soul mate and future husband, she reminded herself.
    Brandy followed suit and unzipped her jacket. Rick helped her slide her arms out.
    “Thank you,” Brandy said, gifting Rick with another smile.
    Mac was suddenly feeling a bit warm under the heaters as well. When she began peeling her coat off, Jeremy didn’t move, just continued to stare down at his menu. Oh well, just another antiquated ritual.
    It was a tight squeeze, and when she accidentally lost hold of her sleeve, her flyaway elbow clocked Jeremy in the side of the face.
    “Ouch,” he said, but he smiled at her dotingly.
    “Sorry,” Mac whispered.
    “Need some help there?” Rick asked.
    “I am perfectly capable of removing my own clothes,” she said, though still struggling with her coat.
    Jeremy chuckled and finally put down his menu. “I got it,” he said, pulling on her sleeve. Mac thanked him with a pat on the arm.
    “Sorry I was late,” Rick said.
    “Chasing a lead down some dark alley?” Mac asked, draping her coat across the empty chair behind her.
    “Something like that. I’ve got a story running tomorrow. It’s not nearly done.”
    “You’re a reporter?” Brandy asked, looking confused, then she glanced at Mac. “I thought he owned the paper.”
    “I do,” Rick said. “On top of being managing editor, I also write a column. It’s mostly weekly, but sometimes more