“Hey Tawny, is this Mac? Kayla said he’s your special friend like she’s my dad’s special friend. Do you have sleepovers and kiss? That’s what Kayla and Dad do. I think it’s gross, but they like it, I guess. Did you know we’re having cinnamon buns? They’re my favorite but only if they have icing. Ella said I can call her Ella when we aren’t in school, so I get to call her Ella now that kindergarten is over. She said I might get Mrs. Watson for grade one, I hope I do ‘cause she sounds fun.”
He runs off and Mac looks at me wide-eyed. “Does he always talk that fast?”
I giggle. “Yep, that was pretty tame, actually. He’s an awesome kid, but only has two speeds. Stop and go.”
“Fun.” Mac replies sarcastically.
We head straight to the kitchen where Ella’s fussing over something on the stove top while Sam and Marcus are involved in a conversation about football.
Kayla claps her hands loudly. “Attention everyone! Mac and Tawny are here!”
I groan. “Was that really necessary, Kayla?”
She grins. “Sure was. This is a big day, my dear sister. We’ve been anxiously awaiting visual proof of Mac and Tawny ever since you told us your dirty little secret. There’s no going back now, you’re official.”
I look at my sister. “We aren’t telling everyone. Not yet.”
Kayla just rolls her eyes as Ella turns to me with a slightly more compassionate but still curious look. “Why not? What’s the harm in going public? You’re both adults now, you know what you’re doing.”
The silence after Ella’s question is tense. Mac shifts and puts his hands in his pockets as he looks at me. Yeah, I know, this is my mess, so I’ve got to be the one to try and explain.
“I just don’t want to tell everyone until we’re more settled as a couple.”
Kayla snorts. Marcus and Sam look beyond uncomfortable with the energy in the room, and I don’t blame them. It’s awkward.
“Ella, what are you cooking? Smells great.” Mac’s trying to move the conversation forward and I could kiss him for that. But he won’t look at me and when I reach for his hand, he moves out of reach. My stomach sinks. Crap. He’s upset.
Ella’s eyes dance between me and Mac before she answers. “French toast casserole, bacon, and fruit salad.” She turns to Marcus with a soft smile, “Babe, could you take some things to the table outside?”
He nods and Sam grabs a dish as well. “I’ll help.”
They’re gone, leaving me, Mac, and my sisters alone in the kitchen. Kayla clearly isn’t done with her attack as she fixes me with a glare.
“Tawny Michaels. Stop being chickenshit. You love Mac and he loves you. What’s the problem?”
I don’t have an answer that doesn’t reinforce the fact that I’m scared. Even now that I know Mac is here to stay, I’m scared. And if I’m honest, I know that isn’t fair to him or to us.
“I’m going outside to help the guys,” Mac says quietly as he leaves the kitchen without looking at me.
Now it’s Ella’s turn to give me a hard time. “Tawny, what’s wrong? Marcus told me he and Mac are going to work together so he can stay here. He’s not going to leave and he’s obviously crazy about you. What are you scared of?”
“Honestly? I don’t know,” I say quietly as I sink down into one of the stools at the kitchen counter. I drop my head into my hands. “There isn’t a good reason to keep things a secret. I know there isn’t, I’m just terrified we won’t work out, and my heart won’t survive it.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. If Mac can love you after more than ten years apart, if he’s willing to move his company and his entire life back to the islandfor you,thenobviouslyhe’s in it for the long haul.”
Wow. For Ella to use a real swear word, she must be really worked up about this. Even Kayla looks shocked at what just came out of her sister’s mouth.
“What she said.” Kayla nods toward Ella, who’s standing there with her arms crossed, staring at me.
I let out a sigh. “I know. I know you’re right. And I know if I don’t suck it up and get over myself, I’m going to ruin this before it even starts. I just…I don’t even know how tobewith Mac in public.”
Ella walks over and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “Just let your love guide your actions and don’t hide.”
I give a weak smile. She makes it sound so simple.
Chapter thirteen
Mac
