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“I can’t wait to see snow,” Delaney said, staring out the window at people walking by.
“We didn’t get any snow in South Carolina.”
The waitress stopped to take our order, and we ended up getting two pizzas because we couldn’t agree on a topping.
“Have you been skiing yet?” Mac asked as he gathered the menus and handed them to the waitress.
“Nope,” Delaney said.
“I can take you. I know your mom hasn’t been either.”
I raised a brow at Mac. What was he doing? First the dance, then dinner, an invitation to his house, and now skiing? It sounded like he wanted to spend time with us, even if it was just as friends. He thought we were lonely, and he was stepping in to help. Or maybe his mother put him up to it. My stomach dropped at that idea.
“Can we? Please?” Delaney asked.
“I don’t want to take up too much of Mac’s time. He’s already taking you to the dance.”
“I don’t mind,” Mac said.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden.” I couldn’t stop thinking about how Carter wouldn’t have wanted to spend time with us.
“I enjoy hanging out with you.”
At his words, we both relaxed. Delaney chatted happily about what a ski lesson at the Wilde Resort would be like. Then Mac pulled out his phone to show her the lift that ran from a barn in town up the mountain to the resort.
“There’s a restaurant midway up the mountain. I should take you there sometime.” Mac showed her the picture of the restaurant.
“I’ve never been there,” I admitted.
“It’s really cool. I’d love to show you.”
When the food arrived, the server handed us each a slice, and we dug in. Delaney talked about the news at school and how the fifth-grade anchors were hilarious. I was a little surprised when Mac listened attentively and asked questions. He seemed genuinely interested. He even asked if he could see a video of it online.
When the bill came, Mac paid it.
When we walked out, I said, “Thank you for dinner.”
“It was my pleasure.”
I couldn’t stop thinking of the night we’d gotten soaked with the leaky faucet. What would have happened if we’d let go and acted on our instincts?
We rode home in silence. Delaney was probably tired. At home, I sent her to take a shower and get ready for bed.
Mac hovered by the door.
“Thank you for dinner. It was nice to get out.”
“You have my mom to babysit if you want to go out with your friends, and I’m always happy to spend time with you two.”
I stepped closer to him, my heart pounding in my chest. “I had a nice evening, but what is this? Are we friends?”
“I’d say we are.”
“Are you ever going to tell me why you don’t believe in marriage?” I asked softly, in case Delaney stepped out of the bathroom.
Mac looked away, clearly uncomfortable with the question. “Let’s just say… I dated a few women who weren’t for me.”
“So you’ve written off all women?”
