Take a Chance on Me(98)

The older woman stepped forward and studied him for a long, long time. He resisted the urge to shift under her gaze.

“Come back tomorrow,” she said, and her words held not even a hint of sympathy.

Mitch’s chest tightened. “I’m sorry, but I can’t leave.”

Something flickered in the woman’s blue eyes. She pointed to the steps. “Feel free to have a seat on the stoop and wait out the night.”

Mitch knew a test when he saw one. If he had to spend all night on a concrete step to prove his worth, so be it.

“All right.” He turned and sat.

Five seconds later, the door slammed behind him.

Thirty minutes later, his ass had gone numb from the concrete steps and his eyes were gritty from lack of sleep. He was contemplating the slope of roof and whether he could scale the house to find Maddie when a black SUV pulled into the driveway.

Shane, James, and, to his surprise, Gracie got out of the Range Rover.

Shane took one look at Mitch and grinned. “What happened?”

Mitch dragged a hand through his hair. “They won’t let me in.”

“I see you’ve met the Wonder Twins.”

“And your mom.” Mitch waved his hand over the steps. “They were nice enough to give me a place to stay.”

Shane rolled his eyes. “Sounds like them. They can be mean as snakes, but you’ll get used to them.”

Mitch frowned at Gracie, unable to take one more female coming to Maddie’s rescue. “Did you come all this way to yell at me?”

She planted her hands on her hips, encased in tight jeans that hugged every one of her curves. “No. I came for you. You big jerk.”

“Why?”

She blew out a breath. “Because, dummy, somebody needs to be on your side.”

A swell of emotion swelled and his throat tightened, but he pushed it back down. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Gracie smiled. “If I’ve got to take down a couple of rogue city girls for you to get your happily ever after, I’ll do it.”

Shane scrubbed a hand over his jaw and gave her a slow once-over. “She might actually be able to take them on.”

“She’s very persistent,” James added dryly.

Gracie scowled. “You’re not still mad about that, are you?”

“I don’t get mad,” James said, but a muscle in his cheek jumped, belying his words.

Gracie snorted, waving a hand. “Whatever, Professor. I still think you’re being a baby.”

James cocked his head to the side and studied her. “You just don’t know when to shut up, do you?”

Mitch glanced at Shane, who shook his head. “It’s been a fun drive.”

“Hey—”

Gracie started to speak, but Mitch cut her off. “Can you save it for another time?”

The front door flew open and Sophie came storming out. “What is all the racket out here?”

“Hey, Soph,” Shane said. “It’s three in the f*cking morning and I’m not in the mood.”

Penelope wandered out, much more slowly. “This is giving me a headache.”

Shane shifted his gaze on her. “We’re coming in.”

Penelope smirked. “I don’t take orders after work hours.”

Maddie’s mom crowded onto the porch. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—get in here or the neighbors are going to have a fit.”

Mitch felt a surge of triumph. He was one step closer.

The whole lot of them filed into the house, overflowed the living room, and started talking at once.

He let the chaos rein as he waited for his chance to escape.





Maddie woke to the sound of loud, angry voices. Her head pounded, her nose was stuffy, and her swollen eyes hurt. She’d finally gotten to sleep, and now this. What was going on down there? She climbed out of bed and ran down the stairs to find her living room filled with people.

They were all yelling.

“Hey!” she called out, but nobody heard. She squinted. Was that Gracie? She must be dreaming.

Suddenly, she was grabbed at the waist and a hand was clamped over her mouth. “Don’t distract them.”

Mitch. She sagged with relief. He’d come for her. She hadn’t thought he would, but couldn’t deny that she’d hoped.

With one big hand still pressed against her lips, he dragged her to the first closed door he saw and pulled it open, letting out a snarl when it was a packed closet. He shut it and moved down the dark hallway. She pointed to the left and he yanked them into the powder room, slamming the door closed behind them.

He spun her around, hauled her to him by the shoulders and kissed her. It was a hot, wet, desperate kiss that left her dizzy. She grabbed for his shirt, tugging him close, sinking into his embrace. She savored each moment, not knowing if it would be their last.

He tore away and shook her. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. Do you understand?”

She blinked at him, then shoved him away. “You told me to leave.”

“You weren’t supposed to listen!” he yelled, wrenching her back for another punishing kiss.

When he released her, she said breathlessly, “How was I supposed to know?”

There was a loud banging on the bathroom door.