He lowered himself into the supplest piece of furniture he’d ever sat on. It hugged his body and warmed his back and thighs. Man, if this were his sofa, he might never leave the house. Once Dad had recovered more, and Mac moved out, he’d investigate purchasing a sofa with heated seats. He’d never realized how luxurious they could feel.
A fire crackled several feet away in the stone hearth. Exterior lights illuminated the powdery precipitation. He hadn’t noticed until now the soft strains of jazz.
The entire effect produced a scene directly out of the beginning of a movie—celebrity comes to small-town, falls in love with local, then they live happily ever after once their friends step in to point out that they can make their differences work.
I’ve got to stop watching those movies with Mom just because it’s what is on the television.“How’s filming?”
“Hectic, but to be expected for the first week until we find our groove.” She ran her French-manicured nails along the top rim of the sofa. “Are you hungry? I can have Leola make you a plate. I promise she can match your mother’s abilities.”
Mac laughed, and although his stomach rumbled, he couldn’t afford the time to eat. “Thanks for the offer, but the weather…”
“That’s right.” She rubbed her hands, seeming slightly nervous. “I guess you saw the TEW report?”
“I did. I promise I didn’t say anything to them.” Although he’d already said that to Gage, he wanted Deena to hear it from his mouth.
“I know.” A hesitant smile formed on her painted lips. “I did.”
His eyes burned from their rapid widening. “You what?”
“You don’t understand what it’s like. The media constantly makes up whatever they want to sell stories.” She sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “I’ve learned the only way to control them is to beat them at their own game by giving them what they want.”
“But it’s still a lie.” He sensed her frustration, but he’d never be comfortable with the deception.
“Does it have to be one?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“You’re a breath of fresh air. Not once have you tried to impress or flatter me because of who I am. You welcomed me into your church group even though I barged my way in.”
“It’s church.” He shrugged. “Everyone should be welcome.”
“You’d be surprised.” She scooted a foot closer to him. “I like you. Can’t we spend time together and see where it goes?”
Rendered speechless, he covered his mouth to hide his gaping jaw. “I don’t know. We live in two different worlds.”
“A lot of celebrities have thriving relationships with so-called everyday people.”
“I’m a simple man, Deena. Between work and helping to take care of my dad, I don’t have much time to explore other interests.” He draped an arm loosely over the top of the sofa, suddenly unsure of where to place it. Truth be told, he was unsure about quite a lot of things at the moment.
Her eyes conveyed understanding. “I’m not asking you to marry me, but to spend time together and see if it leads anywhere.”
His heart said no, but this would help him move past the feelings for Phoebe. He didn’t see a serious relationship happening between him and Deena, but what harm could come from hanging out and going on a few casual dates? “All right.”
“All right as in you understand and will think about it, or all right as in yes?” Her voice wavered, and her teeth grazed her bottom lip as she waited for an answer.
The vulnerability in her question made him chuckle. It helped to know she had insecurities like every other person. “All right as in, we’ll try this.”
Her eyes gleamed. “I guess we’re dating then.”
“I guess so.” Now what? “Are you free tomorrow evening?”
“Filming all day.” She bit down her lip again. “What about Thursday morning? I could meet you for breakfast before school?”
“Can you make it that early?”
Controlled laughter slipped from her. “You must think I sleep all day.”
“I don’t know.” The right side of his mouth curled into a smile. “Isn’t that what celebrities do? Party all night and sleep all day?”
