The next few days flew by. Nancy hired a new designer, taking some workload off Macie. But she was still stuck with Alex, who had become Dr. Jekyll more than Mr. Hyde. He was polite, professional, and not a prick. She wasn’t sure how to take that.
She also took a step back from her ‘new’ image. Since joining the station, Macie had done whatever it took to look the part of business woman, or what she thought was professional. The rest of the crew wore jeans. She wasn’t on-air talent, so there was no need for her stuffy clothes. She dressed like herself—jeans, black shirts, and black biker boots. She put her silver hoop back in her nose and the silver bar back into her eyebrow. The final touch was her hair. She streaked it electric blue. Just a touch of color, but enough to make her feel normal again. Apparently, it stood out.
“That’s a new look for you,” Alex said from behind her.
Macie jumped in her chair. She’d been focused on the image on her screen and the music coming out of her phone. Turning around, she smiled. “Not new. Old. Don’t you like it?”
A crooked smirk lifted his lips. “Without offending you, it’s hot.”
“No offense taken.” Macie turned back to the screen. If she was totally honest, she appreciated the compliment. Most people didn’t notice her new-old look around the station. “What’s up?”
“Did you get that promo I sent?”
Macie felt his hand push down the back of her chair. His breath drifted past her cheek. “Yeah. Next on my list.”
“Okay. I hadn’t heard anything and you’re usually pretty fast.” He leaned forward until his face was even with hers and his focus stayed on her screen. “Is that for Mandey? The lead in for her six o’clock?”
“Yeah, it’s not done yet. She likes this font, but I don’t think it fits the story.” A wail interrupted the music on her phone. Macie glanced down at the screen at the same time Alex did.
“Who’s Zac? And why does he need to meet?” Alex asked.
Macie reached for her phone and swiped the message clear. It was none of Alex’s business, but Macie knew he wouldn’t let it drop. “He’s helping me plan a bachelorette-slash-bachelor party. Our friends are getting married in about a month.”
“Ah, so he texts you in the middle of the work day with an urgent need to meet? Sounds like more than that to me.” Alex leaned back, clearly satisfied with his conclusion.
Macie wasn’t taking the bait. She kept working on the promo, finally finding a font that worked better and that Mandey wouldn’t realize wasn’t the one she’d wanted. It was subtle, but it made all the difference. “Well, that’s Zac. He thinks of something and has to share it right away.” Macie smiled and tapped her mouse. “It’s nice, though. He says what he wants, when he wants it. If he thinks we need to meet, then we have something to talk about. There aren’t any games with him.”
“Now that definitely sounds like more.” Alex sighed. “How long have you two been seeing each other?”
A loaded question. One Macie didn’t want to answer. Instead, Zac did it for her. “About three months.”
Macie’s eyes widened. She picked up her phone and, sure enough, there was Zac’s face showing a connected call on speaker.
“So I’d appreciate it if you’d stop hitting on my girlfriend,” Zac said. The hint of irritation in his voice was a nice touch.
“Whoa,” Alex said with his hands up in defense. He backed toward the door. “Not hitting on anybody. Just asking about work and making polite conversation.” His gaze met Macie’s. “Let me know when you’re done with that piece.”
Macie threw him a generic salute as she fought to keep the giggles at bay. The minute Alex had cleared the door, Macie let her laughter fly. She took Zac off speaker and put the phone to her ear.
“Guessing that’s Alex the Evil.”
“He really wasn’t hitting on me,” Macie said.
Zac snorted. “Yes, he was.”
“Whatever. Thanks for the save regardless. Alex isn’t someone I’d be interested in.”
“Probably a good idea. Did you mean what you said? About me?” Zac’s voice dropped to a soft tenor. Macie’s insides heated instantly. “That I don’t play games?”
“Well, yeah. Even when we were fighting like middle schoolers, you never held back. I always liked that about you.” A blush covered her cheeks, but Macie didn’t care. It wasn’t like Zac could see it. “It’s nice to be open with someone.”
Zac laughed. “Yeah, but you have to admit, it’s a little weird, too. I mean, of all people I could be totally honest with, it would be my sworn enemy.”
A pit formed in Macie’s stomach. She hadn’t been totally honest with him though. Tears rimmed her eyes as she realized she could lose him over one tiny thing. Okay, it was a huge thing. “Zac...”
“Mace...”
“I...” She couldn’t do it. She wanted to tell him she was on the other side of the app. She needed to tell him. But not yet. It wasn’t that she wanted to be deceitful, but she wanted to make sure he wouldn’t run when he learned the truth. “I should go. I’ve got a lot to do.”
“Yeah, okay.” He huffed into the phone. “Let me know when you want to meet.”
He ended the call. Macie put her head on her desk and composed herself. Not yet.
ZAC KNEW HE SHOULDN’T give a second thought to this Alex guy hitting on Macie. It wasn’t any of his business. He set his phone down and settled back into work, but his heart wasn’t in it. The job he’d been working toward wasn’t what he wanted anymore. In two short months, he’d realized this his dad’s dream wasn’t his. Actually, it had taken
