She nodded. “She’s been letting me stay with her until I find a place of my own.”
As they headed out to his car, Mac leaped at the chance to get to know more about Crystal. “That sounds like a long story.”
She shrugged as she got into the passenger side of the car. “Not really,” she said after he got in behind the wheel. “I was in a bad relationship. When it ended, I moved here to start fresh. Mollie was nice enough to help me out, but I’m sure she’d like to have her space back. It’s been months.”
Mac wanted to know more about the “bad relationship,” but he didn’t want her to feel cornered. Something about Crystal made him think of a wounded cat. Unpredictable and ready to lash out. He needed to be patient with her, and that had never been one of his strong suits. “I’m betting she’s enjoyed having you, but I do understand the need for your own place.”
“I’ve never lived on my own, to be honest. I went from living with my mother to living with Richard. So, having my own place to decorate and call my own will be a fun change.”
The excitement in her voice was clear, but what sort of guy had had Crystal all to herself and let her go? A dumbass for sure. “Richard? That’s the guy you were with?”
“Yeah,” she replied, her voice sounding sad and faraway. “Two years.”
Did she still care about him? “Are you sorry it’s over?”
She snorted. “God, no! Not at all. It wasn’t what you’d call a fairy-tale romance.”
He suspected that there was a lot more to that answer. “I see. And are you going to invite me over to your new place?”
“Sure. I’m going to need help moving in. Mind if I use you for free labor?”
“Use me all you want, angel. I’m yours.”
She was silent a moment before she said, “Mac, I’m not sure what is happening here. With Trent and you, I mean. I’m way out of my depth.”
“We both care about you,” he answered, hoping she wasn’t getting cold feet. “I mean, I know it’s a bit unorthodox to be with two men, but I think we can make it work.”
“But I was with Trent the other day. And now I’m with you. This goes beyond unorthodox. It’s downright crazy.”
He chuckled. “When you put it like that, it does sound crazy.” He pulled in to the parking lot of the restaurant and snagged a spot near the door. After he cut the engine, Mac turned toward Crystal and said, “Truth is, I’ve never been satisfied with the norm. It’s overrated if you ask me.”
She smiled. “I suppose you have a point.”
He leaned close and kissed the tip of her nose. “I do. Now, how about some lasagna?”
“The way to my heart,” she replied in a shy, whispery voice. “Lead on.”
Mac knew a sense of predatory satisfaction when she dipped close and kissed him. That she was initiating the intimate contact went a long way toward easing the jealousy he’d experienced earlier. Once more he thought of her past relationship and knew there was more to that story that she wasn’t sharing. He ached to learn everything about her, but Crystal needed time. He’d give it to her. Hell, Mac would give her the world with a bow wrapped neatly around it if he could.
7
An hour later, Crystal was back at Mollie’s apartment, pouring a glass of iced tea. She was floating on a cloud, and each time she thought of her lunch with Mac she ended up grinning like a ninny. He was so sweet and loving, while Trent tended to challenge her. Together they made quite a pair.
The front door opened and Crystal called out, “Mollie?”
“Yeah, sorry I’m late,” Mollie replied as she walked into the kitchen and dropped her purse on the table. “Traffic downtown sucked.”
“No problem. There’s still plenty of time to check out those two apartments,” Crystal replied, waving away Mollie’s concern. “I was just getting something to drink. Want something?”
“Water would be great, thanks.” Mollie sat down at the table and pulled out her cell phone. As she stared at the screen, she said, “I need to take my car in to get it looked at. My brakes are grinding again.”
“That’s the second time in the last several months. Not to mention the radiator you had fixed recently,” Crystal said, frowning. “Have you thought of trading it in for something newer?”
Mollie sighed and pushed a lock of her red hair behind her ear. “Yeah, but I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”
Crystal handed her a glass of water. “I understand, but it’s still something to think about.” She couldn’t really blame Mollie for wanting to hold on to the ‘69 silver Camaro. It had belonged to Alex. After he died Mollie had put quite a few of his things in storage, but the car was special. It’d been Alex’s pride and joy. Mollie refused to trade up.
“Enough about my car. How was your day?” Mollie inquired as she reached across the table and grabbed a foil-wrapped piece of chocolate from a candy dish.