6. Mac

CHAPTER 6

MAC

Katy leaned against the counter next to Mac and rested her head on his shoulder. She batted her eyelashes. "You're smitten."

Mac scoffed. "Am not."

Katy straightened as she laughed. "Are too. Don't deny it. Only one other person puts that kind of smile on your face."

"What are you talking about?" Mac peered down at his sister. He worried, noticing not for the first time the dark smudges under her eyes. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, but just as quickly, shook her head. "I've got some stuff going on."

Mac tucked his phone away and put his arm around her, pinning her to his side in a half-hug. "Anything I can help with?"

"I wish."

"You can talk to me. Anytime. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, thanks. I just… can't right now. I'm kinda hoping the problem will go away on its own." She turned away from him, occupying herself with straightening the stack of silverware.

Problem? That got Mac's attention. "Is there an issue with the diner? Do we need to hire more people? Get the accountant involved?"

"It's personal, Mac."

He stared at her back and saw her shoulders sag. Oh, fuck. Momma had done that right before she'd hit them with some not-so-great news. They'd gone through the whole breast cancer ordeal with her a couple of years ago. "Is it… medical?" He hoped, hoped, hoped this wasn't a repeat. They'd get through it, but he prayed she'd said no.

"Fuck no, thank God." She turned around enough to glare at him.

Mac let out a relieved breath. "I had to ask."

"Ugh." She batted him lightly on the chest before hugging him. "Thanks for being a great brother. I promise I'll come talk to you if I need to."

Mac tightened his arms around her, a silent offering of his support. "That's all I ask."