Page 60 of That First Flight
“I mean not everything. You happened before today and I can’t screw that.”
My eyes widen, and a sly smirk causes one side of my lip to tip up. “I mean…”
Her hand covers her mouth almost instantly. “Oh my god. I didn’t mean it like that. Jesus, what is wrong with me?”
“Just know the invitation is always there.”
“Oliver!” Macey swats my arm.
“It’s a joke. It’s a joke.” I laugh. “Roommate things. Wink-wink.”
She laughs with me, but doesn’t acknowledge my joke. “On a very real note… thank you, Oliver. For letting me get all of that out with you. I didn’t mean to unload all my life on you and spill about all my rock bottoms.”
“I’m always here to listen.” I nod. “But while we’re on the topic… what’s the situation with Mackenzie's dad?”
“He’s completely out of the picture.”
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was even holding. Thankful that he isn’t like some deranged stalker that she’s running away from.
“He’s been absent since the day after I found out I was pregnant. He wanted nothing to do with her. He’s never even met her.”
“He’s really missing out,” I say
“He is. I really thought I loved him, you know. That stupid high school love. Then again, what the hell do I know? My own parents couldn’t love me,” she huffs out an annoyed breath. “If there’s one thing my life has taught me, it’s how to love someone properly. Which is basically doing everything they didn’t. She is the definition of real love.”
Every moment I spend with Mackenzie, I understand exactly what she’s saying. She’s not my daughter, but I’ve grown a super soft spot for her. Dare I say, I’ll protect her at all costs while she’s living under my roof? She’s smart, witty, funny as hell and easy to talk to.
“He did you a favor. Fuck that guy.”
Macey laughs. “You’re right, he did do me a favor. I can’t imagine what life would be like if he stuck around. What Mackenzie would be like.” She shakes her head. “Last I heard, he went down a really bad path of drugs and alcohol right out of high school. I’m not sure anyone has heard from him or knows where he is.”
“Yup. He definitely did you both a favor.”
I want to be a selfish asshole right now and admit that he didmea favor too. If he never walked out of their lives, she wouldn’t be living in my apartment. The entire trajectory of her life wouldn’t have put her on that plane and our paths crossed in the first place.
Macey doesn’t answer, so I continue, “I didn’t mean to make breakfast turn into such a deep conversation. I’m sorry if I brought you down at all today by bringing up your past. It wasn’t my intention. I just really wanted to distract you today.”
“Yeah?” Her smile comes back. “That was your motive?”
I grab the camera off the booth next to my lap. “Yup. And to see you smile more.” I raise the camera and shoot it directly at her and snap a picture before her body has a chance to respond. Capturing the most candid, perfect smile from her.
“You know… Mackenzie is obsessed with your camera. She never stops talking about it.”
“One day, we’ll have to get her one.”
Something washes over her and I’m not sure what. But the smile falls the smallest bit, leaving her with a reluctant, almost fake one. Maybe it’s the way I’ve worded what I said, or maybe it’s the talk of spending money like that. I don’t know, but I’m also not about to find out right now.
“One day,” Macey finally says before she takes the last bite of her bagel.
It’s time to turn this day around.
“I meant what I said, Macey. I want you to forget about everything that happened before today. Except me of course.” I wink again. “You’re on track to do something really fucking big. I’m insanely proud of you.”
“You’re a really good guy, you know that?”
Only for you, I want to say.
I stand from the booth, looping my backpack over one shoulder and reaching my arm out for her to take my hand. “I want to show you something.”