Page 106 of The Matchmaker Club

“Thanks, Mack.”

Mack extended his hand to Lucas. “The name’s Mack. I own the place.”

He shook his hand. “Lucas.”

“Nice job, by the way. Your meal is on me.”

Lucas nodded. “Thanks.”

I opened the office door. “Take a seat.”

Lucas sat on the office chair and I leaned against the desk, holding the ice to his face. He reached up toward the towel, his hand slightly covering mine. Tingles rushed up my arm, and I slipped my fingers from his.

“Thanks for sticking up for me,” I said.

“No one deserves getting treated like that.”

“No. They don’t.”

He swiped my hair from the side of my face and took in a deep breath. “Does he always act like that around you?”

I shrugged. “Rick’s a jerk. He’s still mad I didn’t make out with him back in high school.”

His eyes went a shade darker. “You dated that asshole?”

“I went ononedate, and that was before I knew how he was. According to him, I slept with him.” I tucked my hands between my knees. “Instead of dealing with more rumors or ever being treated like that again, I stopped going on dates altogether.”

“Then it was worth it.”

“What was?”

“Breaking his damned nose.”

I smiled. “Don’t break noses often?”

He didn’t return the smile. “Not unless I want a lawsuit… or being the next big story in the tabloids.”

The realization of what he’d just done hit me like one of Rick’s punches. If anyone were the type to sell the story, it would be Rick.

“Lucas, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think—”

“It’s fine. I’ll handle it.” He handed me the towel. “Thanks for the ice, but I really should go. My father will want to hear about this before his lawyers do.”

“If there’s anything I can do to help…”

“I’d prefer to leave you out of that mess, if I can help it.”

“I don’t mind.”

He half smiled. “I’ll let you know.”

He started toward the door, and I had an urge to tell him how I really felt.

“Lucas?”

He turned around, looking a bit distracted. Maybe now wasn’t the best time. Although, I wasn’t sure any time would be good.

“Take the ice. You’ll need it to keep down the swelling.”

He nodded and accepted the towel. “Thanks.”

I plopped down on the chair after he left.

Of all the guys I could fall in love with, why did it have to be a Freeman?