“Thanks.” She descended the steps without another word.
Mac walked down behind her, taking his time. Maybe he should grab his phone and keep it with him if Deena called. Or not. He wouldn’t be that rude person on his phone in the presence of guests. The internal debate continued until he decided he was wasting too much time thinking about it. There was a good chance Deena wouldn’t even call or text like she said, and if she did, a response could wait. He wouldn’t plan his life around her.
In fact, for the next two hours, he’d enjoy this time with the Graff family and not give a single thought to Deena. He’d find his way back to the familiar and comfortable.
Mr. Graff sneezed loudly.
“Bless you.” Mrs. Bonnie handed her husband a tissue.
“Tha…than...choo.” Mr. Graff wiped his nose with the tissue. “Would anyone mind if I go to bed? I’m not feeling so well all of a sudden.”
“I’ll make you a cup of tea with honey and lemon.” Mrs. Graff gave her husband a worried glance before leaving for the kitchen.
“Can I get you anything, Dad?” Phoebe looked at her dad with a hint of worry in the creases of her eyes.
“No, sweetheart. It’s nothing a bit of rest won’t fix.” He gripped the arms of the recliner and stood. “I’ll be good as new by tomorrow.”
Mr. Graff climbed the stairs, slower and stiffer than usual.
Mac caught a glimpse of Phoebe watching her father closely, and the need to protect and comfort her overwhelmed him. “I’m sure it’s only the weather. The drop in pressure is scientifically proven to wreak havoc on bodies.”
She cast an uncertain smile his way. “I’m sure that’s it.”
After a few minutes of silence, Mrs. Graff passed through the room carrying a cup of hot tea. “Your dad will be fine. The cold makes his arthritis act up, and he caught a cold from going in and out all day and messing with his body temperature.”
“Tell him I said good night, and I love him. I didn’t have a chance before he went upstairs.”
“I will.” Mrs. Graff leaned down and kissed Phoebe’s head. “I’ll call it an early night, as well. Help yourself to anything. You too, Mac.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Bonnie. I appreciate the warm, safe place to stay tonight.”
After she’d excused herself, he was left alone in the room with Phoebe, and they returned to their awkward dancing around each other.
Her teeth grazed her bottom lip until she spoke. “Do you still want to watch the movie?”
“Might as well.”
“I’ll get the popcorn.” She sprinted toward the kitchen before he could offer to help.
Feeling feisty, he strolled in after her. This strange barrier between them had to go, and someone had to take the first step. “Want a pop?”
She jerked her head up from pouring the popcorn into bowls. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You’re avoiding me.”
“Am not.” Turning on a heel, she shook a finger. “You’re the one who escaped to the bedroom immediately after dinner.”
“Your mom gave me a set of spare toiletries.” He waved a hand. “I wasn’t going to carry them around the house.”
“But you stayed up there.”
He sighed. “Your dad met me in the hallway with a pair of pajamas. I dropped them off then called my mom.”
“Oh.” Head hung low, she focused on the popcorn. “You’re still acting weird, though. Like you’re hiding something.”
His face flushed. “What would I have to hide?”
Phoebe spun around, her voice rising with each word. “I don’t know, maybe, dating an actress?”
