Page 31 of Under the Radar
Mac lowered his voice to a whisper. “Maureen, don’t even think of pulling out your wallet. I’m buying the shoes. And you didn’t shop too long. I apologize for rushing you.”
She laid a hand on his arm. “You’re not buying the shoes. I’ve got it.”
He handed the saleswoman a credit card and turned toward Mo. “They are a present.”
She shook her head. “Way too big of a present. At this stage of our relationship, you shouldn’t be buying me gifts like this.”
Mac nodded slowly. That’s right. They were still at the slow stage. Well, he’d damn well change that today. He leaned in so they were eye to eye and murmured, “I’d appreciate it if you’d accept these small gifts, Maureen. Please.”
She blushed, dropped the wallet back into her purse, and with a quick tippy-toe maneuver, kissed his cheek. “Okay. Thank you very much.”
Mac grabbed the shopping bags and headed for the door. He wanted to get to that deadbolt before she noticed he’d locked the damn thing.
The saleswoman tapped the sales slip with her finger and in deep southern drawled, “A man that dreamy who wants to buy you shoes like these? Honey, just go along for the ride.”
Mo gave the saleswoman a quick nod and joined Mac on the sidewalk. She hurried to keep up with him.
“Are you feeling okay?” She slipped her hand in his.
He slowed down. “Physically, I’m fine. I’m not good mentally, and I’m sorry you noticed. I hope my behavior back there wasn’t too out of line.” He placed the bags in the trunk and opened her car door. The last thing he wanted was to start embarrassing himself in public.
Once he pulled into the flow of traffic, Mo broke the hovering silence.
“So, let me get this straight. All I need to do to get you to buy me a bag of Jimmy Choos is trap you in a posh, little store on a narrow street?”
Mac put on his sunglasses. “Yeah, I guess. Although, confined spaces don’t usually bother me.”
“Okay.” She patted his arm. “I’ll keep that in mind in case I ever need Vera Wang or Versace.”
Heh-heh.Her humor always distracted him.
He was so distracted in fact, that he never saw the blue van join the line of traffic behind them.