Page 2 of Hearts Don't Lie
“Seriously? He sounds overly confident. Medical form?”
“Complete, dated and signed, and received. No flags.”
“You’re not going to let me out of this, are you?”
Cori’s laugh was musical. “Nope.” Her voice softened. “We could use the money with the expansion of our excursions and activities.”
“I know.” Mac grimaced, then heaved a sigh. “Fine, I’ll guide. Pack helmets. Who is this asshat that called and paid a king’s ransom to change my plans?” she sniped, taking their coffees and nodding to Kai in thanks, blowing her a kiss.
“Hardin Ambrose. The soccer god,” Cori said dreamily.
The burning liquid did not register as it splashed over the front of Mac’s sleeveless summer shirt and shorts and exposed legs, seeping uncomfortably hot into her socks and sports sandals. She didn’t feel the man next to her grab her arm as she stumbled and began collapsing, nor did she hear the gasps from others in Kai’s coffee shop before she fainted.
“Damn, girl. You scared us all. Feeling better?” Kai asked.
Mac noted the soft expression of her friend, who held out a cup of water to her. “Skipped lunch and dinner yesterday. I think I was way overdue for a meal,” she fibbed, noticing most of the customers had gone back to what they were doing. The man next to her watched her carefully. Mac wished a hole would appear and swallow her up.
“Sit up and drink this. You were dropping like a boulder. Jason here broke your fall”—Kai indicated the man bent over Mac—“or you’d have a nasty something on your forehead and be on your way to the clinic.”
Mac sipped slowly, her eyes passing over the grizzled older man wearing a baseball hat. She’d seen him around the area for years but had never met him. “Thank you.”
The crow’s-feet around his eyes deepened as he smiled. “Happy to help a damsel in distress.” He glanced over at Kai. “Looks like you’ve got this handled.” He extended his hand to Mac. “I’ll get on with my day after I help you up.”
Remembering what had happened before she passed out, Mac blinked and swayed slightly again. She would see Hardin tomorrow. The first time in twelve years.Oh fucking hell.
“Okay,” Kai said, gripping her by the forearm. “You’re still unsteady. Sit for a minute, Kenna,” she added, calling Mac by the name everyone in Piñon Ridge and the surrounding area knew her by.
“I’m fine. Really.”
Kai pushed one of the Grind’s popular breakfast burritos toward Mac—she’d motioned for food as soon as Mac had said she hadn’t eaten. “You’re seriously going to tell me that after you just passed out in my shop? Uh-uh. Have a few bites of this before you go. And some juice,” she said, nodding to the container of apple juice placed in front of Mac.
“I’m only going to work.”
“Yeah, I know.” Kai sipped from her mug, then lifted her chin toward the burrito. “I insist. A minimum of two bites and wash it down. All the juice. Then you can go.”
Mac knew her friend wasn’t going to budge, so she took two large bites of the burrito and drank some of the juice. “Damn. You do make the best, I swear. Thanks!”
Two fresh cups of coffee appeared on the table to replace her earlier order. Mac rose, steadier and ready to face her past. She started to clean up, but Kai stilled her hand.
“I’ll take care of that, missy.”
“Thanks so much, Kai. I feel a lot better. What do I owe you?”
“On the house.” Kai stood and hugged Mac. “Friends take care of their friends. See you tomorrow.”
“Um, no. I have a last-minute, extended trip,” she said, faltering slightly and righting herself immediately. “I’m fine.” Mac gathered the coffee and grinned at Kai, knowing her smile didn’t reach her eyes and her voice wasn’t as light as her words.
