“We won’t wake your parents, will we?”
“No. They’ve always been heavy sleepers.” He inserted his key into the lock and turned it. When the door pushed open, he pressed his hand gently on the small of her back and guided her into the house.
Mac’s soft touch burned through her clothing.Why can’t I be content with his friendship, Lord? Why must I want more?She walked into the kitchen and sat on one of the stools. She shrugged out of her coat and folded it on the counter.
Mac switched on the lights. “Do you want tea or decaf coffee?”
“Coffee is fine.” She started to stand. “Can I help with anything?”
“Sit and relax.” He pulled the lid off a tin can and scooped out coffee grounds. “Are you ready for Christmas?”
“Not a bit.”
“That surprises me.” The red light on the coffeemaker lit up when it began to brew. “Christmas is your holiday.”
“I’ve been so busy helping everyone else with their holiday preparations, that I’ve neglected mine.” She created a mental list of gifts she needed to purchase.
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the counter. “That’s what I’ve always admired about you. There’s not a selfish bone in your body.”
“You’ve never seen me fight my siblings for the last chocolate chip cookie.” She grinned. “I always win.”
“I was about to offer you one of Mom’s cookies, but now I’m scared.” He wagged his brows and reached for a container with Christmas wreaths. “Promise to behave if I let you have one?”
She pressed her lips together and stared at the container. “I suppose, but it looks like there are plenty.”
“I’ve missed this.” He handed her the container for her choice of cookie.
“Christmas snacks?”
He groaned. “Our friendship.”
Boy, did she feel silly. “Me too.”
The light on the coffee maker changed to green. Mac grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. “Cream or sugar?”
“A dash of cream, please.” She snuck another cookie then accepted a mug from Mac. “Thanks.”
They moved to the family room and sat on opposite ends of the sofa. For several minutes, the only sound was that of the clock ticking on the mantle.
Mac shifted positions. “Have you ever wondered why we never dated?”
She spit out the coffee in her mouth. “Huh?”
“We’ve been friends forever and get along well, except for the disagreement over Deena. My family tells me all the time we’d make the perfect couple.”
All the breath left her lungs. “I never gave it much thought.”Liar. His crestfallen expression piqued her curiosity. “Have you?”
“Not really.”
“You’re a bad liar, Mac. You always have been.” She couldn’t let him drop the subject. For years she’d wanted a sign, no matter how small, that he saw her as more than a friend. She’d finally been given a glimpse, and she would see it through—even if she’d told a fib in the process.
“Honestly?”
“Our friendship deserves that.” And after he was honest with her, she’d be honest with him.
“I think about it often, but I’ve never said anything for fear of ruining our friendship.” He laced his hands together on his lap. “I’ve tried dropping subtle hints, but you never showed interest, so I decided I had to move on.”
The revelation stunned her. “What hints?”
