Page 66 of Hearts Don't Lie
Later that morning, Hardin and Mac sat in the coveted corner of the Grind’s patio under a large umbrella, a spot Kai was known for leaving aRESERVEDsign on during peak times for her closest friends. Issa and Doc sat across from them at the round six-top, alternately sipping their coffee, eating fresh-baked scones and breakfast sandwiches, and engaging in light conversation. The morning rush was over and the patio empty except for their table.
Issa and Doc were the parents Mac never had. Hardin was delighted for her and for Stowe, who benefited from being grandparented so lovingly. He had accompanied Issa and Doc to the Grind, hugging Mac and high-fiving Hardin. Stowe sat contentedly at the table after wolfing down an egg-and-sausage burrito, two mini blueberry muffins, and cranberry juice.
Beckett joined them, his eyes bouncing between Hardin and Stowe. “Morning! Mom and Dad are coming as soon as Harper shows up. She’s watching the twins this morning.” He sat and attacked his breakfast burrito with gusto, chasing it down with swigs of chocolate milk, not saying much until several other boys appeared and asked him and Stowe to play basketball at the nearby park.
“Can I?” Beckett asked his grandparents.
“Don’t see why not,” Issa said.
Doc added, “Be back by noon, Beck. We’ll have your sisters by then.”
“Yes, Paw-Paw.”
“Can I, Mom?”
Mac smiled, relenting easily. “Go, you silly boy.”
“Are you okay if I play, Bro?” Stowe’s eyes landed on his father.
Hardin was stunned, never expecting to be asked. “Sure. I’m on board with your mom.”
“Cool!” Stowe began to leave and turned back to him. “Noon?”
Mac nodded ever so slightly in Hardin’s peripheral.
“That would be great, sport.”
Stowe spun and raced out to the sidewalk to join his waiting friends, a huge smile on his face.
Mac squeezed Hardin’s hand under the table. His response was an enormous smile.
Doc lifted the carafe Kai had left on the table. His bright blue eyes flitted to Issa. “More coffee, dear?”
Issa nodded at her husband. “Please.”
“Kenna?”
“I’m good for now.”
“Hardin?”
Hardin pushed his mug a few inches closer to Doc. “Thanks.”
Cori and Mike came in through the patio, carrying steaming mugs of coffee and plates with burritos and sandwiches. Everyone exchanged greetings as Cori and Mike joined the table.
“Beck just left with the Madrick and James boys. They’re playing basketball,” Doc informed them. “He’ll be at our place by noon.”
Cori stretched, then slouched in her seat. “Thanks again for watching the kids.”
“No thanks necessary,” Issa said.
Doc topped off his coffee and sat back, draping his arm over his wife’s shoulders, scrutinizing Mac and Hardin in turn.
Issa sat up straighter, looking expectant, encouraging them with a warm smile. “Well, now that our grandsons have left and we have the patio to ourselves, we’d like to hear your story.”
Issa, Doc, Cori, and Mike appeared aghast after listening to Mac and Hardin share the facts. How they had met in high school and their friendship had evolved into love. The destruction of her phone after what ended up being their last night together before he left for college and the explanation of Mac not knowing Hardin’s number. Alicia’s threat of charging Hardin with statutory rape. His parents’ payoff to Alicia for her silence and compliance. The NDA. The restraining orders. The subsequent rescinding of Mac’s full ride to NCU. The last-minute change of Hardin’s winter-break plans.
Mac also weaved in meeting Carol at the pregnancy clinic, borrowing money from Alicia to fund her escape with the life she carried, not knowing until Hardin told her that the money was bribe money. She also shared for the first time her previous name with Issa and Doc and why she legally changed it to Eliot, surprising Hardin.
