“Thanks.”
Alice tried to escape outside, and Trixie swept her up. “Would you like to come in?”
“If it’s okay with you.”
“It’s fine.” Goodness, she hated this polite formality that had come between them. She led them to the dining room table and put Alice in the high chair. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“I’m good, but thanks.”
She sat in the chair closest to Alice and motioned for him to sit. “How have you been?”
“Busy, but good. You?”
“Same. How was your trip home?”
His features relaxed. “Amazing. Sara’s graduation went great, and I had lots of fun hanging out with old friends.”
“Good. I’m glad you got a break finally.”
“Me too. I needed it.” He rubbed one finger against another. “Can we talk?”
“About that night at church?”
He nodded. “I miss our friendship.”
“So do I.”
“Do we keep acting like nothing happened or move forward?”
She sighed, a mix of confusion and longing. “It did happen, but I don’t know if I’m ready for anything more than friendship. I’m only now starting to feel like myself again.”
“I understand.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” A wave of genuine understanding softened his face. “I like you, and I think you like me too, but you went through a lot. If friendship is what we’re meant to have right now, I’m okay with that.”
Couldthe talkreally be that easy? Somehow she didn’t think so and suspected they’d have to deal with their feelings eventually, but this agreement worked for her. For now. “Friends are good. Between work and Alice, I don’t have too many of them.”
His smiled turned downward.
Had she said something wrong? “Why the frown?”
“I came to ask a favor, but I just realized it wouldn’t be fair.”
“I should be the judge of that. What is it?”
“I need another female chaperone for the youth’s out-of-school camp bash next week. If I don’t find one, we’ll have to cancel it.”
“Why?”
“Camp stipulations say we have to have one adult chaperone for every eight kids. Landon and Jessa are going, plus Mike Redman, but I need one more female.”
“Jessa mentioned that to me. She and Landon can’t wait to go.”
“Do you know anyone who might be able to go?” He grazed his bottom lip with his teeth.
“It’s only one night, right?” She’d never left Alice overnight, but Phoebe had offered to take her. Could she leave her little girl for a full twenty-four hours?
