“Little things. Like back in October, I invited you to the singles outing, and you said you’d come but never showed up.” He reached for his coffee. “That’s when I knew I had to be content with friendship.”
Her jaw dropped. That was the night Deena showed up. Pieces started to fall into place. “I did come, but I was running late. When I walked inside, Deena was hanging all over you, and I couldn’t stomach it.”
“You were jealous?”
She ducked her head. “Extremely.”
He slid across the sofa to sit beside her. “We’re a messed-up pair.”
A nervous giggle slipped out. “Apparently.”
His hands reached out and took hers. “I only agreed to go along with Deena’s scheme in the hope it would help me overcome my feelings for you.
That simple touch gave her love, protection, and comfort. “Did it work?”
“Not a bit.” He moved one hand to cup her cheek. “Dating Deena only made me see how special you are. No one can replace you in my life, Phoebe, and if friends are all we’re meant to be, that’s better than not having you at all.”
Her voice came out light and breathless. “And if I want more than friendship?”
Mac leaned in, stopping inches from her lips. “Then we give each other what we want.”
“It’s always been you,” she whispered before he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers.
Tiny explosions of fireworks went off, and she understood what everyone talked about. The wait for this single moment in time, one of perfection and completion, was worth every heartache she’d carried along the way.
Mac pulled away but left his hand on her face. “It’s always been you for me, too.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mac checked the clock for the tenth time in a half hour. Despite the joy he garnered from teaching history to young minds, he couldn’t wait for the school day to end.
When the bell rang, Christmas vacation officially began, and he wouldn’t step foot in this classroom until next year. Even if that was only two weeks away, he needed the break.
More importantly, he wanted the free time to spend with Phoebe. After years of secretly pining for each other, they’d have their first date tonight. He struggled with where to take her. He wanted the evening to be special and memorable, but he’d drawn a blank.
Last night, he’d resorted to searching online for ideas, and he’d come across something called a penny date. He’d never heard of it until then, but the idea intrigued him. They’d pick a number, and that equaled the numbers of turns they would take. Then they’d flip the coin to determine if they turned right or left.
The idea required little planning, only a willingness to be spontaneous. It was better than taking in a movie where they wouldn’t have a chance to talk or grabbing dinner at Tippy’s. He loved Tippy’s, but they could eat there anytime.
A penny date could provide the memorable evening.
The bell rang, and an upbeat Christmas tune played over the intercom. Even the office staff had joined in the celebration. Thankfully, he didn’t have any after-school duties and could go straight home.
He grabbed his briefcase from the under his desk and fled his classroom. History would wait for another day. He stopped by the grocery store on his way home and bought a poinsettia for Phoebe. Because of her love of all things Christmas, she’d appreciate the potted plant more than a bouquet of roses or carnations.
When he got home, Mom stopped him in the hallway. “Christmas break looks good on you.”
He set his briefcase down by the foyer table and gave her a hug. “It’s not that.”
“I know.” Her eyes sparkled as though she harbored a secret. “I’ve prayed this day would come, but I didn’t know if I’d ever see it.”
“Stop planning the wedding,” he warned.
“Who said I was?”
“I know you too well.” He imitated the stare she gave him when he’d acted up as a child. “This is one date. Don’t jump too far ahead.”
She sighed. “Fine, I’ll try to contain my excitement.”
