“Phoebe too?” He silently groaned, realizing his mistake.
“She is.” Trixie’s eyes gleamed. “You’re here alone?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
A smile formed involuntarily. “To quench your insatiable curiosity, Deena and I are no longer seeing each other.”
“As of when?” She seemed a bit wary.
He glanced at his watch. “About an hour ago.”
“Wow.” She helped herself to the empty chair at his table. “Do you mind if I asked what happened?”
“You’re worse than Darla.” Mac leaned back in the chair, shaking his head. This banter took him back to the familiar life he understood. He considered Trixie to be another little sister. Between her friendship with Tamera and Faith and his friendship with Phoebe, their paths often crossed.
Trixie feigned offense. “Nobody can be like Darla. She’s in a class of her own.”
“Don’t you have a family to get back to?” He couldn’t even pretend to tease her without smiling.
“They’ll understand once I give them the gossip.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Please, Trixie, don’t spread this.”
“I can’t even tell my family?”
“Okay, but only them.” He sighed as the earlier events replayed in his mind. Reluctantly he shared the details with Trixie, mainly because he wanted his side to be given before Deena had a chance to put her own spin on the truth.
“That’s harsh.” Trixie shook her head. “She left you here without a ride home?”
“It worked out. My prime rib tasted unbelievable.”
“You can catch a ride with Elijah and me. Alice is with a babysitter, so you’d have the back seat to yourself.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine.” His gaze shifted out the window. “I’ll call a taxi and enjoy this view a while longer.”
“If you say so.” Trixie stood and gave his shoulder a brief, sympathetic pat. “I can’t say I’m sorry you and Deena broke up, but I’m sorry for how it happened.”
“Me too.”
“Are you sure you don’t need a ride?”
“Positive.” He gestured for her to go. “Enjoy your family celebration. Tell Jessa and Landon I said congratulations.”
Several minutes after Trixie left his table, the waiter returned with his check. Mac handed over his credit card and waited for the receipt to sign.
A shadow appeared in the corner of his eye, and the person cleared their throat. He knew that voice and figure without giving her a full glance.
He lifted his gaze and locked eyes with Phoebe. His breath caught in his throat. The natural brown waves of her hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a sapphire blue sweater with matching earrings that accentuated her eyes.
She discreetly dangled a set of car keys in front of him. “I heard you need a ride.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Would you like to drive?” Phoebe offered her keys to Mac as they walked out of the restaurant together.
“Sure.” He took the keys and opened the passenger door for her. “Thanks for the ride.”
