Page 17

I can’t believe Mac spent the night. She clenched her teeth. And not in my bed, dammit.

Mac came back a minute later and knocked on the door again. “Sorry. You still decent?”

“Again, that’s a matter of opinion. But yes, I promise I didn’t take my clothes off in the meantime.” She silently slapped her forehead. Oh, geez.

The doorknob turned and Mac opened the door. He carried a glass of water and her bottle of pills, then looked around the room, unsure of what to do next. He glanced at her bed, looked away quickly, then searched for a chair.

Jodie reached for the glass and the bottle of pills, trying to put the poor guy out of his misery. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Jodie. Uh, sorry, I would’ve started breakfast, but⁠—”

“Are you kidding? Don’t you dare apologize for not making me breakfast. I should be making you breakfast, and lunch, and dinner, and everything else.”

They both looked away from each other.

He’s embarrassed. Remember, he told you yesterday that you’re just friends. Now stop acting like there’s going to be anything more than that.

“You don’t have to do that, Jodie,” Mac said.

“Well, I at least have to buy you dinner. I did promise you that.”

A smile returned to his lips. “Okay,” he said.

“Wait, what time is it?” Jodie reached for her phone on the bedside table. “I’m meeting Arden today.”

“It’s eleven.”

“Oh, shoot. Yeah, I told her I’d be there at noon.” She shook out a pill—only half the recommended dose since she didn’t need to be passing out at Arden’s—and quickly swallowed it with a healthy gulp of water, then set the glass on the nightstand.

“I can drive you,” Mac offered. He looked absolutely uncomfortable standing in her bedroom, clasping his hands together, not sure if he should stand, sit, or possibly bolt out the door.

Yeah, that figures.

“That’s okay, Mac, you’ve done so much already. I’m sure my couch wasn’t the most comfortable thing to sleep on. You should get home.”

“It wasn’t bad at all. I’ve slept on much worse, believe me.”

“Oh, I know. You were in the military and served overseas.”

Mac started, then smiled. “Right. All my paperwork. You know everything about me.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say everything.” Jodie rolled her eyes. “But I do know you were in the…anyway, I’m rambling.” She waved him off. “Really, I’m fine, I promise. Go on home.”

“I can take you to Arden’s. I mean it, it’s no big deal,” Mac said.

“No, it’s okay. My ankle’s already feeling better, I promise.” She smiled, then stood up.

Mac immediately came forward to help her. His grip on her arm felt warm and comforting, and at the same time, Jodie felt a jolt of irrational anger.

“Mac, I’m not helpless.” The words came out much too harshly, and she immediately regretted them.

“I know you’re not,” Mac said quickly.

“I’m so sorry,” Jodie said. “I didn’t mean it to come out like that.”

“I know.” All the same, Mac let go of her arm.

Jodie walked gingerly to the bedroom door. She was able to put weight on her ankle, but it hurt like a son of a bitch. She pretended it didn’t, hoping the pain pills would kick in quickly.