Free Speaking of Love (Perfect Kisses) by Ophelia London Page A

often. Depending on what it is.”
    Brandy leaned an elbow on the table and gazed at Rick. It wasn’t her pouty expression that Mac had seen her lay on other, helpless guys. It was even better: Brandy looked positively engrossed. Wow, she was good. “What are you writing about today?” Brandy asked Rick.
    “It’s about Lincoln Park,” Mac answered for him.
    “The park by your Mom’s house that’s been there forever?” Brandy asked, looking at Mac. “What about it?”
    “It’s being torn down.”
    “ That ,” Rick inserted, “has yet to be decided.”
    Mac leaned across the table toward him. “Oh, really?” she said. “You’re telling me you still think there’s a chance the city won’t vote to sell half of those woods to the developer?”
    Rick shook his head. “I have no idea. The council may be split now , but that can change overnight. It’s best not to get hung up on numbers or polls.”
    Sitting back, Mac opened her menu, searching for a subject change. “Those woods are special,” she couldn’t help adding. “It’s the only greenbelt on that side of town.”
    “I’m not disputing that,” Rick said. “Or your sentiment.”
    Mac rolled her eyes. He could come off as so patronizing sometimes, treating her the same way people like his parents always have.
    Using her interpersonal communication skills, she managed to steer the conversation away from Lincoln Park, and the friendly chitchat continued. Bread was brought, then the salads. By the time their entrees arrived, Rick and Brandy were really hitting it off.
    Seriously, why she hadn’t thought of this sooner was a mystery.
    …
    Rick was having a good time and really enjoying getting to know Brandy. She was charming and attractive, reminding him a lot of Mac. Which probably shouldn’t have been a surprise.
    While Brandy was telling a story about something that had happened to her at work the other day, Rick turned his head to the side and looked toward the glass doors leading from the patio into the dining room. Mac had gotten up, cell phone to her ear, nearly ten minutes ago. He hoped everything was all right.
    The instant Jeremy started in on his own story, Rick excused himself. He waited inside the dining room while the hostess kept trying to seat him with other parties.
    “Hey,” Rick said, as Mac appeared from around a corner. “Anything wrong?” he asked, gesturing at her phone.
    She slipped her cell in her pocket. “It was Justine.”
    “Everything okay?”
    “She likes to check in.”
    “Your little sister is protective. I noticed that before.”
    “It’s more than that.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s probably going to write a dissertation about me one day. She claims I’m a higher level of neurotic.”
    Rick chuckled. “I wouldn’t say that, but I did enjoy meeting her the other night.”
    “You better be careful. She might have a little crush on you.”
    “Oh yeah? Am I that charming?”
    Mac laughed. “It’s probably more of a psychological interest. I think she’s wondering why I’m willing to pass you to Brandy.”
    Rick tilted his head, suddenly greatly interested in the subject. “What did you tell her?”
    Mac was flipping her cell phone over in her hand. “Something like, if I went to one more chamber dinner with you that I’d probably be thrown in jail for punching the city manager.”
    Rick laughed, fighting the overwhelming desire to hug her. Where had that come from? He glanced past her out to the patio and could see the back of Brandy. His date.
    “Well, we should probably get back to them,” Rick said, pushing the glass door open.
    “Yeah,” Mac said with a smile.
    “After you.”
    When they sat down, Rick noticed the to-go box in Mac’s hand. Evidently, Brandy noticed it, too.
    “Are you ready to go already?” Brandy asked, as Mac started transferring the pasta on her plate into the Styrofoam container.
    “No,” Mac replied, sitting back and smoothing her napkin across her lap.