The Day He Kissed Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake 3)

Raine studied her for a few moments, and Lily looked away, not comfortable with the sly smile on her friend’s face. Raine held her empty wineglass aloft. “You want a refill?”

Lily shook her head. “I’m good for now.” Truthfully, she was afraid to drink any more, because she was afraid of losing control. The only way she could do this with Mackenzie was if she kept the control.

Control was key.

“Huh.” Raine glanced from Lily over to Jake and then back to Lily. She set both empty wineglasses on the table beside the margarita bar. “I’m going to assume that you and Mac are heading out early.”

Lily didn’t take her eyes from Mac. “Why would you say that?”

“Because there is no way either one of you can hold out much longer. Jesus, Lily, I’m getting horny just watching the two of you watch each other.”

Lily’s cheeks burned, and she finally dragged her eyes from Mac. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yes,” Raine replied with a giggle. “It is.”

Great.

“I guess we’ll be at the top of the gossip food chain by tomorrow morning.” Lily glanced around, and when she caught the Lancasters looking her way, she averted her gaze. Was Lily ready for that kind of speculation?

“Nah.”

Lily looked at Raine in surprise. “Excuse me?”

“You two are already the topic of most conversations,” Raine said with a grin. “That’s why Shelli pulled out the big guns.”

“Shelli?”

“The blond who’s doing everything she can to get Mac to take her home. Though it’s not working.” A pause. “Not this time, anyway.”

The two women were quiet for a few moments, and then Raine spoke, her tone serious.

“He’s a good guy, Lily. Not many people know the real Mackenzie because he doesn’t want them to. I like that he’s opening up with you. I like that a lot.”

Lily didn’t know what to say to that, so she said nothing.

“Maybe you’re the one who will get through to him, the one who will finally make him see that he doesn’t have to be alone. He deserves love and happiness as much as anyone else. Maybe more so considering the shit card he’s been dealt.”

Panic settled in Lily’s gut. How had this flirtation and experiment suddenly become something so much bigger?

“Raine,” Lily said urgently, “it’s not like that.”

Raine’s eyebrows shot up.

“Whatever this is…this thing that Mac and I are exploring, it’s not like that.”

“Like what?” Raine asked.

“It’s not a permanent thing, and we’re both fine with that. Really, this is just two adults…two consenting adults hanging out and getting to know each other.”

“And having lots of hot monkey sex?”

Lily blushed but refused to look away. “Isn’t that what consenting adults who hang out together do?”

“Well, I know you’re not going to spend the night playing Scrabble.”

“No.” Lily shook her head. Oh God, there went the butterflies again. “No, we’re not going to play Scrabble, but that doesn’t make whatever this is a serious thing. We’re just hanging out.”

Raine snorted—she actually snorted—which kinda offended Lily.