Best Friends…To Lovers. Jules Bennett
been able to narrow down her colors to just a few.
Being able to work with fresh flowers for a wedding was always a joy for Jenna, but to be doing it for her sister was even more thrilling.
Jenna passed through the open entryway to the lobby and glanced to Mac. “You’re always hungry. How do you not weigh five hundred pounds?” Damn men and their flawless metabolism.
“If I’d had more than yogurt and fruit for breakfast I wouldn’t be so hungry.”
“You’re hangry. It’s okay. I get that way myself.”
His brow lifted behind his dark shades. “Excuse me?”
“Hangry. When you’re hungry and angry,” she explained with a shrug as she reached the counter. “I forgive you and I promise to get you a nice meal when we’re done here.”
She patted his cheek with her free hand and directed her attention to the lady waiting to assist them. After they were escorted toward the kitchen, the woman directed them to the tubs of flowers that had been set outside the back doors for Jenna to sort through. The manager had made sure a workspace was set up for Jenna, and the employees were told to let her in and out as often as she needed while she crafted the various arrangements and bouquets.
The next hour flew by in a whirlwind of buds, greenery and tissue wrappings. Jenna meticulously sorted each bundle, leaving the lilacs off to the side. She’d be taking those back to her bungalow, along with a few other bundles, to start working on the smaller bouquets. Those would fit in the refrigerator in her own kitchen and that way she wouldn’t be scrambling to do so much the day before the wedding.
Jenna glanced at Mac who was enthralled by something on his phone. With his dark eyes drawn in, the muscle ticking in his jaw and the death grip with which he held his phone, Jenna knew something was wrong.
She laid the flowers down and reached across to touch his forearm. “What’s going on?”
Blinking, he looked up. “Just reading an email. I need to make a call.”
Jenna removed her hand as he came to his feet and headed out toward the breathtaking garden area and gazebo, probably where the employees took their breaks. As she watched Mac’s shoulders tighten and tense beneath his blue T-shirt, Jenna wondered what could be so pressing. He glanced to the sky and shook his head as if frustrated with the person on the other end of the line. Whatever it was, she had no doubt this call was work related.
Mac’s work was definitely something she knew very little about. Oh, sure, everyone knew the O’Sheas of Boston—the family, with their auction houses around the globe, was infamous. Mac had actually just opened two more US-based locations in Atlanta and Miami—she may have asked him to open one in Miami so she could see him more often. She’d had no idea he would actually do it and move down there to oversee the office.
But as successful as his family was, Jenna still didn’t know what all the secrets were about and Mac would never betray his family’s trust. She’d never known a man to be so loyal.
Her father certainly hadn’t been. Jenna knew people were responsible for their own actions, but she couldn’t help but blame the man for running out and leaving her mother to turn to the bottle. Those years were pure hell, but with love and the unshakeable bond between a mother and her daughters, Jenna and Amy were able to turn their mother around.
Mac shoved his cell into his pocket and headed back her way.
“You okay?” she asked, bundling up the flower assortment she needed to take back to the bungalow.
“Just work.” He caught a cluster of tissue-wrapped greenery that had started to slide off the table. “We hired a new manager at the main office in Boston. I just needed to get her into Miami to handle some issues concerning the upcoming auction.”
Guilt slid through her. “If you need to go, it’s fine, really.”
Mac reached for her hand and squeezed. “I’m not going anywhere. This is nothing I can’t fix with a couple of phone calls. Now, tell me where to take these so you can feed me that promised lunch.”
Rolling her eyes, Jenna came to her feet and pointed to a pile of flowers. “Be careful with those or you’ll get yogurt and fruit again.”
He picked up the bundle and laughed. “Not many things scare me, but I know if I lose one petal you’ll torture me.”
Jenna carried her own stack and headed out. She informed the staff that they could put the rest away and she’d be back tomorrow to get more. With the flowers in hand, Jenna led Mac back toward their bungalow. The sun was already bright and it was still early. This would be a perfect day to lounge on her deck, fiddle with arrangements and continue working on her tan. Though she knew she wouldn’t be more beautiful than the bride, Jenna wanted to be at her best when she had to walk next to her cheating jerk ex.
As soon as she saw a familiar figure heading her way, Jenna froze. It was as though she’d conjured up the devil himself. She knew the moment was coming, but she was hoping her ex would avoid her for the sake of saving face. Apparently his ego had gotten the best of him.
“Martin’s here,” she muttered, clutching the stems of her bundles even tighter. “Let’s turn around.”
“Like hell.”
Before she knew what was happening, Mac shifted his stash of flowers in the crook of one arm and wrapped his other arm around her. In the same instant, his lips crushed hers, forcing her to hold on to him with her free hand and enjoy the ride. Mac’s mouth demanded more and she was all too willing to give it. This kiss, if something so powerful could have such a simple term, didn’t feel like an act at all. This felt more like a stepping stone to something more private and intimate. And it certainly wasn’t like the one from the other day. This kiss held...promise.
Jenna’s entire body heated. Tingling started low in her belly and she had aches in places she’d never ached before. Mac’s hold on her tightened and Jenna couldn’t prevent the moan that slipped from her lips.
Martin cleared his throat and Mac pulled away. His lopsided grin and a naughty gleam in his eye told Jenna he was enjoying this. Just another reason she couldn’t let her heart tumble into this charade. Mac was a professional player. This game was well within his comfort zone. That made one of them.
Once Mac stepped to her side, his free arm still draped around her shoulders, Jenna got a good look at her ex...and he was fuming.
“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded, staring at Jenna. “I told you I’d be here so we could talk and you’re with this guy? He’s more of a liar and a cheater than I ever thought of being.”
Before she could respond, Mac spoke up. “Apologize to her now.”
Martin’s narrowed gaze darted to Mac. “Who the hell are you to tell me anything? Jenna belongs with me.”
Mac pulled his arm away and stepped between her and Martin. “Not anymore. I’m her fiancé.”
“I cannot believe you just did that.”
Mac watched as Jenna stormed through their bungalow. She’d carefully set the flowers on the kitchen island and then took off pacing, throwing her arms in the air and muttering words that would make his Irish mother, God rest her soul, blush.
“I only wanted you to pretend to be my boyfriend,” she yelled as she turned to pace in the other direction. “Then you go and tell me you want to be my lover, you have my mother and sister thinking we’re quite serious and you tell my ex we’re engaged.”
Finally, she turned to face him, her hands propped on her hips, her chest heaving. “Are you going to say anything?”
Mac shrugged and placed his flowers next to hers. “That guy is an ass. I’m not