Read Online Working_Out by Marie Harte - Free Book Online

soon.” She sighed. “Maybe after I’m dead. Seems like the curse of most great artists. They’re poor until they die.” Realizing what she’d said, she corrected herself. “Not that I’m poor. But none of my work goes for millions.”
    “Not yet.” Mac smiled. She saw no censure or taunting there, and she relaxed. “So The Beholder is where you work?” He frowned. “That sounds familiar. Hey, isn’t that right down the road from Shelby’s clinic?”
    “How do you think she and I met? We bumped into each other years ago, and boom. Instant friendship.”
    “The hot blond and sultry brunette. Fits.”
    She didn’t like hearing him refer to Shelby as sultry. But the fact she felt a hint of jealousy over her boss didn’t sit well either. She hurried to ignore her weird emotions and pasted a smile on her face. “It’s nice to know you think I’m attractive, but you don’t need to keep repeating yourself.”
    “Too used to hearing it, are you? I get that.” He gave a put-upon sigh. “Me too. Women are always treating me like a walking billboard for sex. It’s tough, being so manly.”
    “Please.”
    “No, really.” He nodded, but his innocent expression didn’t mesh with the devilry in his gaze. “Take my last girlfriend.”
    “Do you even remember her name?”
    He frowned. “Yeah.” He paused. “Jessica.”
    “Jessica what? You don’t know, do you?”
    He ignored her. “Jessica was all about my body and my wallet. I mean, I was happy to share myself with her, but I was hoping for something more.” He looked into her eyes, and the truth there shocked her. Mac wasn’t as superficial as she’d once thought. “I didn’t expect marriage or anything super serious since we’d just met, but time spent not talking about her boob job and how great she looked would have been nice. The only things she seemed to care about were herself and how much I cleared last year after taxes. Oh, and how much I could bench press.” He snorted. “I don’t lift weights to look good. I lift because it takes my mind off the fact that I’m retired .” He sneered the word.
     She’d seen the scarring on his left leg and been curious but had never asked. “What happened?”
    “Got shot in the knee and it never healed right. So I was medically discharged after two surgeries. Now I do physical therapy, and Shelby’s helping. It’s not like I could have stayed in the Corps forever anyway.” He acted like it was no big deal, but Maggie could tell how much being out of the service bothered him.
    “That’s where you met Shane, isn’t it?” She knew Shane had served some time in the Marines.
    He nodded. “He and I ran into each other a few times when I was active. Then I when I got out two years ago, I ended up seeing him on the street downtown. Weird coincidence. I mean, his folks settled just a mile from my uncle. Small world.” He smiled.
    “Yeah.” They quieted and watched each other. Maggie wondered what Mac saw when he looked at her. This was the longest they’d ever talked together, and the majority of the conversation hadn’t been about Shane or Shelby.
    Mac suddenly stood and cleared their plates.
    “I’ll wash.” She moved to stand, but he barked at her to sit down. “Again. Do I really need to remind you I’m not a dog?”
    “You know, there are so many ways I could take this conversation. But I don’t want to totally strike out. So I’m gonna put the dishes in the kitchen. You’re going to go sit in the living room, and we’ll finish up the night—”
    “Getting naked?” There. She’d put her cards on the table. She wanted to have sex, so why not take what they both clearly wanted? Except the answer he gave her wasn’t what she’d anticipated.
    “Watching the new detective movie on TV. And don’t even try acting like you don’t want to see it. I overheard you the other day talking to Shelby about it.” 
    “You have big ears.” So no on the sex, but companionship and an