The Other Side of Us - By Sarah Mayberry Page 0,24
movement in her arm and shoulder. She could live with the occasional killer headache and the fact that she would never walk with a swing in her hips again. But that job had meant so much to her. She’d been so proud of it. She’d earned it, damn it.
It wasn’t fair. It simply wasn’t. She’d done all the right things. She’d always done all the right things—worked hard, sacrificed, kissed ass, taken shit, swallowed her pride. And a slick mountain road had taken it all away from her.
“Mac, say something. You’re starting to freak me out.”
“I’m okay.”
It was such a lie she could barely get the words out her mouth.
“If you need me, I can be there in an hour. Hour and a half, max. Just say the word.”
She pressed her hand to her forehead. Her fingers were icy cold.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I want to do it. If I’d be welcome, that is. You don’t deserve this, Mac. No one knows better than me how much you put into your career.”
He’d blamed her work for the breakup of their marriage. Said that she cared more about her career and proving herself than she did about him. It wasn’t true, but the long hours hadn’t helped an already fraught situation, that was for sure.
“I half expected it, anyway.” She had no idea where the words came from, or her almost-casual tone. “Gordon warned me. So it’s not really that big a surprise.”
Except it was, because she’d never really imagined that Gordon would choose Philip over her. Amazing to think that after all these years working in such a cynical industry she could still be so naive.
“You should sue them. You’re still on sick leave, aren’t you? They can’t just give your job away.”
“They can. They only have to offer me something similar. One of the game shows. Maybe the Christmas Carol special.”
“You’re better than a game show,” Patrick said, his tone full of disgust.
“Listen, I need to go. My guest is here,” Mackenzie lied. “I appreciate the heads-up, Patrick.”
“Call me if you need to talk, okay? Anytime. Evidence to the contrary, I’m here for you, babe.”
“Thanks and noted. See you, Pat.”
She ended the call. She put the phone back on its cradle, then she turned on the outside light and went to the kitchen.
The ingredients for the pasta were lined up along the counter, neatly sliced and diced and ready to go. Two of her pretty Japanese glazed bowls sat to one side, waiting to be filled. In the living room beyond, the table was set with cloth napkins and shiny cutlery.
The last thing she wanted to do right now was entertain a virtual stranger. The thought of smiling and making small talk with Oliver when the rug had been pulled from beneath her life made her want to drop her head back and wail like a child. Yet she couldn’t cancel on him. This dinner was a thank-you, an acknowledgment that he’d put himself out for her. No way could she pull the pin on their evening. It simply wasn’t an option.
Instead, she turned to the fridge and grabbed the bottle of local white wine she’d bought to accompany their meal. She twisted the cap off and poured herself a big serving. She sipped as she gazed grimly off into space. Waiting for Oliver to arrive.
Waiting for this evening to be over so she could crawl into bed, pull the quilt over her head and hide from the world for a while.
Because even feisty, scary, too-many-coffees-intense women were allowed to have moments of weakness. Weren’t they?
* * *
OLIVER SMOOTHED A HAND over his damp hair. His other hand gripped the neck of a bottle of wine and Strudel’s lead as he stood on Mackenzie’s doorstep, waiting for her to respond to his knock.
Dumb, but he was nervous. About what, he had no idea.
Annoyed with himself, he turned to study the paved area in front of her house. Unlike him, she hadn’t done a thing about the damage from the storm so mud and gravel and debris were still strewn across the expanse.
The snick of the lock had him spinning around as the door opened. Mackenzie smiled at him, pulling the door wide.
“Right on time. The perfect guest.”
Mr. Smith rushed out, launching himself at Strudel. A complicated exchange of sniffs, licks and tail wags took place, both dogs quivering with excitement.
“Well. That’s them settled for the evening,” Mackenzie said.
She looked different. It took him a beat to work out