Wish of the Heart by Malia Mallory Page A

confining outside of the air-conditioned office. She tapped her foot and fingered the strap of her bag. So far, she hadn’t seen anyone who resembled Kenny among the mass of bodies moving through the park.
    The area was crowded with people milling about and others heading toward unknown destinations. Most of the benches were occupied and a group of teenagers congregated across from her. Their loud voices filled the air.
    Macie stared up at the angel that topped the fountain. She closed her eyes, made her wish, and flipped a penny into the water. Her luck hadn’t panned out yet, but she knew it would eventually.
    Her sister, Karen, came to mind and she twisted the ring on her finger that had belonged to her. Karen was gone, having been killed in a home invasion, but Macie knew Karen was rooting for her.
    Taking a calming breath, Macie’s eyes settled on a boat in the lake, which was a short distance away. A laughing couple in a rowboat drifted by and longing clutched at her heart.
    “Macie?”
    Macie jumped to her feet, extending her hand. “Kenny, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
    Kenny took her hand between both of his and held on a shade too long. “You’re as lovely as I knew you would be. Your profile picture doesn’t do you justice.”
    Macie resisted the urge to wipe her palm on her skirt. Nerves flooded her stomach and up her throat. Macie swallowed and forced a friendly smile on her face. “How was work?”
    “Great, actually. I did a favor for a VP and I think it’ll pay off come bonus time.” Kenny’s tailored suit fit perfectly, and his hair swept back off his forehead with not a single strand out of place.
    “It’s always great when your work is recognized.” If only her boss would do so, Macie knew she’d be happier at her job.
    “Well, it wasn’t exactly work-related.” Kenny smirked.
    Something about Kenny’s demeanor told her she didn’t want to know any more about the favor. Macie, Macie, she admonished herself. Give the guy a chance. You met him five seconds ago.  
    “So, shall we walk a bit?” Kenny gestured toward the path.
    “Sure, that sounds great.” Macie fell in step beside Kenny and peeked up at the clouds. The sky had darkened, and not just from the impending dusk. Rain looked like a distinct possibility.
    Kenny placed his hand on her elbow. “You said you had an important project, were you able to finish?”
    “Yes. It needed to be done today, so I worked through lunch.” Hopefully next time, her boss would give her more lead time.
    “That hardly seems fair.” Kenny eyed her up and down. “I suppose you must do that often though, trying to watch your weight.”
    Did he imply I’m fat? Macie tended toward the curvy side, but many men liked her full breasts and rounded hips. In fact, she had a devil of a time finding clothing. Just because a woman was petite, didn’t mean she was tiny all over.
    “My boss needed the information for a meeting first thing in the morning.” The path sloped up as they headed toward the wooden bridge spanning the water. Macie frowned as she saw a few sprinkles of rain dot the surface of the lake.
    Kenny glanced at the sky warily. “Do you think it’s going to rain?”
    Macie nodded. “It looks like it might.” Mother Nature seemed to want to cut their walk short.
    Kenny pointed at the gray clouds massing in the sky. “I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, but I can’t get my shoes wet. These things are Australian ostrich leather. Cost me over a grand.”
    “Uh …” Macie was at a loss as to how to respond.
    “I’m going to hotfoot it over to 72nd Street and try to get a cab. I’ll text you later, okay?” Without even waiting for a response, Kenny whipped around and loped away.
    “What the hell just happened?” Macie whispered to herself. Who spends a thousand dollars on shoes? Who tells people they spent a thousand dollars on shoes?  
    Macie dug around in her tote and pulled out the small travel umbrella she