Page 73 of Rumor Has It

“Yeah, you’re stunning.”

“Thank you.” She blushes a perfect pink. “Come on in, Boone.”

“Umm, where’s Rumor?” I peek around her as she looks behind the door.

Rumor steps out, head down. “Hello, Boone.”

“I have something for you.” I pull the flowers out, reaching each of them a bouquet of daisies. “I was hoping we could start over.”

Mackenzie’s mouth relaxes into my favorite grin, and offers her hand. “It’s good to see you, Boone.”

“You too, Mackenzie.” I take her hand, immediately feeling a shiver down my back. I never imagined touching her would still give me chills.

Rumor holds her hand out. “It’s good to meet you.”

“You as well, Rumor.” I take her hand, shaking it. Mackenzie lays her hand over her heart, just as mine thrums in their presence.

I step through the door, watching Rumor as she meanders into the other room. I side-eye Mackenzie as she shuts the door behind me. Shifting my feet, I can’t decide if I should sit or wait until she asks me.

“Boone,”—she tilts her head as she walks over and sits on the couch—“come on, sit down. I think we’ve worked out most of the anger for now.”

I step toward her, hesitating. “Should I?” I motion to the opposite of end of the couch.

“Please.” She giggles. “For the love of chocolate, when did this get so hard? We used to be so comfortable around each other, but now it’s as if we’re strangers.”

“Aren’t we? It’s been a long time, and it took a while for us to open up to each other.” Our eyes meet, until hers dart away.

“Yeah, we never did anything easy.”

I move around, fidgeting. “No, definitely not our strong point.”

“I wonder what that was? There had to be something, we were drawn to each other.” She has a faraway look in her eyes, as if she’s wanting to go back. Like she was happier then.

I fight the growing smile working on my face. “Magnetism. We had chemistry, Kenzie.”

“That we did.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, before her eyes flicker to the corner of the room.

“What do you have there, Rumor?” She waves her over.

Rumor holds a book to her chest. “I thought you might want to see this.” She eases between us, sitting with the book on her lap.

“Your baby book.” Mackenzie’s eyes flicker to mine, brimming with tears. “Don’t break us in easy, kid.”

Rumor peers up at me. “If you want to wait, I’ll understand.”

“No way. Open that thing up, and let’s see how cute you were as a baby.” I return her smile, my chest filling with joy.

Her hands tremble as she spreads the cover. “This is the day I was born, June 7th. It was early in the morning, Momma said. Uncle Ridge was with us until Grandpa and Grampy got there.”

“Look at you, beautiful as ever.” My voice cracks with emotion.

I run my finger over the picture; they were both breathtaking. Tears fill my eyes as we turn the pages of her life. Her first birthday, walking, even getting her teeth. I’ve missed so much my heart aches as I watch the years go by.

My arm lays on the back of the seat we’re sharing. I battle every thought, and emotion there is. Suddenly, I feel something on my hand. I glance over to see Mackenzie has laid hers over mine.

“You alright?” She wrinkles her nose, looking as cute as the first day I laid eyes on her.

I nod. “Getting there.”