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The parking lot is almost full when I pull into the Sunnyside Nursing Home. It’s not my first trip – I’ve been coming once a week since they discharged Wayne from the hospital. He likes me to catch him up on all the team gossip, and he’s actually great at talking through plays and strategies.
He’s seen and done everything. Nothing phases him at all.
“Hello,” the receptionist says, smiling brightly. “He’s in the sunroom. His granddaughter is with him.”
“His granddaughter?” I thought all his family was in L.A. “Did she fly in today?”
“I don’t think so.” The receptionist frowns. “She’s been coming regularly.”
That’s weird. Because Wayne told me his granddaughter is doing someIce Starsshow on the television. Either way it’s nice for Wayne. I put on my best smile as I walk into the sunroom and look around the room. It’s full of guests and their visitors – Saturday afternoon must be the most popular time to visit.
And then I seeher. And everything fits into place. Mackenzie Hunter isn’t just some woman from New York. She’s Wayne’s granddaughter.
Of course she is. It’s those damn eyes. They’re the same as Wayne’s.
Why would she lie about something like that? Didn’t she know it would come out eventually?
Her back is to me. Her dark hair is down again, the same way it was the other night. There’s a wave to it, and it’s shiny like she just washed it.
And it’s like I can feel it in my hands. The silkiness sliding through my fingertips. The same way I remember how soft her lips were. How good she smelled.
Any time in the past few weeks she could have told me the truth. Especially the other night when I asked her out for dinner.
But she lied.
I reach the table and she still doesn’t seem to know I’m here. Wayne’s noticed me though, because he’s smiling and lifting his brows.
She turns around slowly. Slow enough for me to actually enjoy the anticipation. Her pretty hazel eyes meet mine and I have to force myself not to react.
“Eli,” Wayne says. “Have you met my…” he trails off. “You know Mackenzie from work, of course.”
“Your granddaughter,” I say and Mackenzie winces. “Yeah, we’ve met.”
* * *
MACKENZIE
Eli’s jaw is tight. There’s a tic in it, too. He also looks really good in a dark blue polo shirt and a pair of chinos. They’re completely different to his usual clothes, but I like them.
I take a deep breath and smile at him. He doesn’t smile back.
“Can I borrow Mackenzie for a minute?” he asks Gramps, who’s still distracted by the nurse.
“Sure.” Gramps shrugs.
“I was leaving anyway,” I say, standing. “We can talk on my way out.” I lean over and kiss Gramps then hand him the bag of goodies. “Don’t eat them all at once.”
Eli doesn’t say a word but I can feel him following behind me as I push through the doors to the reception area. The woman behind the desk waves at me and I smile back, but my heart is hammering against my ribcage.
The air is cool when I step outside and my jacket is way too thin to keep out the chill.
I turn to look at Eli, putting my arms around my waist to keep warm.
“Why are you never dressed for the weather?” Eli asks, looking genuinely perplexed. “You live in New York. It’s cold there. You must have coats and sweaters.”
It’s the strangest question, yet it’s completely Eli. “I don’t like the winter.”
“You think by not wearing a coat you’re gonna stop it from coming?” he asks. “Like King Canute and the tide?”
