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“Mac stayed?” I wasn’t sure he would.
“Delaney asked him to play a game, and I was baking cookies. He couldn’t resist.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Mac playing games and baking cookies with his mother and my daughter on a Friday night.
“But enough about us. How was your night?”
“It was really nice to see Kylie and to get out.”
“I remember those days when you’re in the thick of it with the kids. You never make time for yourself, but you should.”
I smiled softly, still feeling the effects of the alcohol. “It was nice. I’d almost forgotten what it was like.”
Miranda patted my shoulder. “I’m happy to babysit whenever. Delaney’s delightful.”
“Let me pay you,” I said, pulling cash out of my purse.
Miranda held up her hands. “I don’t need payment. I love watching kids. There are cookies on the counter for you. I let Delaney have two before bed.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” I said as she opened the door to leave.
“Why don’t you come to family dinner on Sunday evening? That will be thanks enough.”
“Of course, we’ll come. Let me know if I can bring anything.”
“Just that lovely girl of yours. I’ll text you the address.”
“See you then,” I said, shutting the door behind her. I couldn’t believe she thought that a thank-you for babysitting was me coming to family dinner.
She wasn’t matchmaking, was she? No, that would be ridiculous. Anyone who was around Mac and me could see we didn’t get along. He was perpetually irritated with me, and I was in no position to date.
If his mother thought we were a good match, she was way off base. Her son wasn’t interested in commitment, and neither was I.
More nights like tonight would be fine, though. It had been good to get out and talk with friends. In South Carolina, everyone seemed to already have their group of friends or family nearby.
I sighed as I lay back on my bed, letting out the pent-up tension in my body. I was home. Even if my parents weren’t living here anymore, this was where I grew up and where I’d raise Delaney. It felt right. I liked Alice and Sam, and now Miranda. They’d welcomed me into their family, and I loved it. Being interested in Mac as anything other than my contractor would mess everything up. My business, the renovation, and my new friendships.
Soon, I’d have a B&B to run. My days would be busy, and Mac wouldn’t be underfoot every day. I’d forget about him. This invitation to his family dinner was a onetime thing. A way to thank Miranda for babysitting. I wouldn’t let it become a weekly thing. I needed to keep my distance from Mac.
My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket.
Mac: You make it home okay?
Natalie: I called a service.
Mac: Good.
Natalie: You know, you don’t have to worry about me. Kylie has four older brothers who already look out for us.
Mac: Good to know.
I don’t know why I told him that. It wasn’t to make him jealous. It was to put his mind at ease. I wasn’t his responsibility. Just because I was single and alone didn’t mean I needed him to make sure I was okay. But it felt really nice.
Had Carter ever checked in on me when I went out with friends when we initially started dating in college? I didn’t think so, but then, we were young. It didn’t mean Mac was a better man than him.
But I liked it a lot. Without even changing my clothes, I drifted off with the knowledge that people cared about me. That I had a home here, and things were going to be fine.
CHAPTER6
