to intrude when I have a cellphone.”
“I won’t argue with the results. But what about your personal life?”
“Personal is for after work. I like to keep things separate.”
“I’ve noticed.”
She flung her hand out, waving it towards Ethan and the limo. “Look what happens when I don’t. I play one little softball game and I get pictures of me splashed on the front of the National Enquirer and then fake engaged to my boss. Talk about mixing business with personal.”
“I thought you were going to say mixing business with pleasure.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Did you?”
Ethan laughed. “It was a good game of softball. Almost makes everything that’s come after it worthwhile.”
She huffed in annoyance. “I didn’t even win. It wasn’t worth it at all.”
“Maybe next time. Now you know to wear short shorts.”
“Or maybe glue your mouth shut.”
“How about we compromise and say both?”
“I might wear some short shorts if it would glue your mouth shut.”
He looked down at her legs, her toes peeking out of her shoes. He could think of something better than glue to keep his mouth occupied. And he was wondering how he was going to talk her into it when he looked back up and met her eyes.
She fidgeted in her seat and turned to look out the window again. He watched her ignore him and then smiled. He’d expected a smack-down. A fidget was more than he’d ever gotten from Mackenzie before. Maybe getting her out of her element would work in his favor, and he was definitely one to push his luck. Especially where the unflappable Mackenzie was concerned.
The limo pulled up to the restaurant and satisfaction filled Ethan when he saw the sidewalk lined with cameras. Pictures of his new fiancé would be everywhere by tomorrow.
Mackenzie jumped when a movie star and his wife walked by and Ethan said, “If you want pictures taken in L.A., this is where you eat. Oscar campaigns, rumors of a breakup that need defending, rumors of an engagement you need to confirm.” He smiled at her. “Come here, give them some pictures, and they leave you alone the rest of the time. Usually.”
“You live in a strange world.”
“I’ve learned to work around it. Now show me your happily engaged face.”
She looked at him.
He said, “Come on, you’re supposed to be happy. After five long years, we’ll finally be together.”
“You wore me down, remember? You’re supposed to be happy. I’m supposed to be horrified by all this attention.”
“You’ve certainly got that look down. But you can’t go out scowling like that. Everybody wants to see us happy.”
Mackenzie looked skeptical. “Just who is everybody? And why do we care what they want?”
“Everybody is everybody. And I care because if I wake up to one more quote from an ex maligning my bedroom technique I will have to go into hiding with my mother and grandma. I’d rather go into hiding with you.” He glanced at her attempt at a smile. “Just barely. Now, smile.”
“I am.”
“That is not a smile. That look will send my mother running.”
Mackenzie let out a puff of air and tried again. “There. Is this better?”
He looked at her dubiously. “I know I’ve seen you smile before. This is just baring your teeth.”
Ethan pulled out his wallet and took out a folded piece of paper. He handed it to her and she gingerly opened it. “See, you were smiling here.”
“Why do you have a copy of the National Enquirer in your wallet?”
“Look at us, Mackenzie. Just look.”
“I would really rather not.”
He scooted over to sit next to her. “This is what people want to see. Whatever ‘it’ is, we’ve got it. I’m getting hot and bothered just looking at the pictures.”
“Stop it.” She thrust the paper back at him.
Ethan took the paper, holding on to her hand. “You know what I’ve never done before? Kissed my fiancé.”
Mackenzie reared back in alarm. “Yes, you have. Right before you announced to the world I was engaged to you. And then right after we signed the pre-nup.”
He stroked her hand and murmured, “Oh, yes. How did I forget those? Maybe because neither was a real kiss.”
“There won’t be any real kisses. This is all fake, remember?”
“It’s not all fake.” He looked into her eyes. “Here’s the deal. You can come out of the car with me, smiling. Or you can kiss me.”
“I’m smiling!”
He shook his head. “Sadly, that is not a smile.”
Ethan hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her towards him, and she flattened her hands against his