Page 105 of Play Fake

A few minutes later, I hear footsteps coming down the stairs, and then Mac appears.

I feel my heart lodge in my throat at the sight of her. One; because she looks utterly fucking beautiful, and two; because she’s wearing the dress she wore the night we first met. I haven’t seen her in it since, and I’m desperately hoping this is her version of an olive branch.

“My favorite dress. You look gorgeous, Mac,” I manage to say.

“Oh yeah,” she seems distracted by the way her eyes wander over me, and then it’s as though she shakes herself out of a daze. “I thought maybe we could start over.”

“I’m on board for that.” I hold out my hand. “Waylon, Liam’s center.”

“Mackenzie, Olivia’s friend.”

“Best,” Olivia corrects, and I remember that she’s still in the room.

“Best friend,” Mackenzie corrects herself, and grins at Olivia.

“Thought you might like these.” I hand the flowers to her.

“They’re beautiful.” her face softens with a little smile and her eyes flash up to mine.

“I’ll put them in water and get out of your way,” Olivia announces and takes them from Mac once she’s had a chance to smell them.

“That was really sweet of you, Waylon.”

“I try. You ready?”

“Am I allowed to know where we’re going?”

“Nah. That’s part of the fun.”

“I see.” She sounds skeptical but follows me to the door.

When we getto the bar Wren works at and walk up to the entry, she looks at me skeptically but follows my lead as I open the door for her. The room is mostly dark, and all the TVs that are normally blaring games from every single sports channel available are off. Just one table is lit up, and it’s all dressed up with a tablecloth and flowers.

“What is this?” She whispers and her hand goes to her mouth.

“I asked Wren what your favorite food is, since I stupidly didn’t know, and one thing led to another… is it okay? I know it’s not fancy, but if you give me a second date, we can go wherever you pick.”

“It’s perfect, Waylon.” She glances back at me with a small smile, and then we take our seats across from each other at the booth.

A few minutes later, Wren pops out from the back and brings us two beers. I watch as the two of them exchange looks, and Wren gives her a wink before hurrying back to the kitchen. Apparently, Wren had kept my secret after all. I’d owe her for that.

“Is this how it’s going to be if we date? Every time we fight, everyone joins your side and gangs up on me?” she laughs softly.

“Not everyone, just a few strategic someones…” I shrug.

“Wren, Olivia, Ben, Lauren—“ she goes down the list.

“Lauren?” I nearly choke on my beer because that one was definitely not planned.

“Yes, Lauren. You didn’t know about that one?” She looks as surprised as me.

“No idea. Easton must have said something.”

“Easton doesn’t really seem like he’s on Team Mackenzie. She said she’d seen the way you looked…”

“Easton helped too.”

“How so?” Her brow furrows.