“I didn’t, Mac. Said it happened with the move, and it did. I just didn’t give you the specifics.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“’Cause if I don’t tell you, you got plausible deniability. You can bury your head in the sand and pretend the hands that touch you. That make you come. That worship and own you aren’t covered in a thick layer of blood.”

It was her turn to give me a chin lift.

“Say something.”

“I’ve got to get ready.”

“Not like that, baby.” Even I heard the desperation in my voice. “Talk to me.”

“I will. There’s a lot I need to say.” She shook her head. “But I need to get ready before Ophelia comes to get me.”

“I’ll drive you.”

“We went through this last night. You have a meeting.”

My meeting could go fuck itself. I didn’t wanna leave shit the way it was.

Knowing where my head was at, Mac added, “I just… I need some time.”

There were worse people for her to be around than O. At least O could relate to what she was going through. She’d made peace with what her husband did. Maybe she could help Mac do that, too.

I grudgingly stepped aside.

Mac didn’t use the cleared path to dart for the door. Instead, she walked toward me, not stopping until her body hit mine.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her. “Love you.”

I pressed my lips to her forehead, but she shifted away and went onto her toes so they brushed hers. “See you later, baby.”

Not sure what the fuck to do, I watched her go and hoped like hell that wasn’t a lie.

That it wasn’t really goodbye.

* * *

Mac

I should’ve been getting ready. I was supposed to have plans, and I’d promised myself I wouldn’t flake.

But I did.

I couldn’t face Ophelia any more than I could face Ward.

After texting to cancel, I put my phone on the charger at my desk and stretched out in bed. Resting my hand on my stomach, I felt Squish kick and roll as I stared at the ceiling.

My thoughts were a jumble.

I wondered if I was making a mistake.

I wondered why the hell Ward put someone in a coma.

I wondered why I was such a coward.

I wondered why Ward would fall in love with someone like me.

I wondered if he’d still love me once he knew the truth…

* * *

Hollywood

Pushing back my meeting, I stuck around my house for a while and kept an ear out in case Mac changed her mind. When I couldn’t drag my feet any longer and was about to leave, there was a knock on the door.

Thank fuck.