past Rip. His arms snake around my waist as he pulls me into him, placing a kiss on my temple. He lets me go like nothing happened, and on shaking legs, I follow Grams out of the room.
Grams links her arms through mine as we make our way to the elevator. “I want all the details,” she gushes.
Taking a deep breath, I open my mouth and let the words flow freely. “It’s not real. We drank too much, and we woke up in bed together.” Heat coats my cheeks as my embarrassment takes root.
“Pft, don’t try to tell me that your relationship isn’t real. Do you not see the way he looks at you?”
“I’m telling you. It’s not real.”
“Why?”
“What? I just told you why?”
“I’m not buying it. It was spontaneous, and alcohol was involved, but, McKenna, I’m telling you neither one of you would have gone through with that night had you both not wanted it. Think about that. Really think about it and then tell me your connection and relationship isn’t real.”
We step out of the elevator, and the cafeteria is packed. I don’t need the town in my private business, so I don’t respond. Instead, I follow her through the line as she orders two black coffees, one for her and one for Gramps. I decide a sweet tea sounds good, and at the last second, I order two instead of one. Grams grins. She knows it’s for Rip without me having to tell her. It doesn’t matter. We’ve been friends since we were kids. I’m just being nice.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Chapter 19
Rip
“That didn’t take long,” Harold says as McKenna and Agnes walk back into the room.
“We didn’t want to give the two of you time for mischief.” Agnes smiles, handing him a coffee. He takes a large drink and grimaces.
“Black?”
Agnes gives him a stern look, and he takes another drink, this time without complaint.
“I thought you might be thirsty,” McKenna says, handing me a sweet tea.
“Thanks, babe.” I drop a kiss to the top of her head and twist open my tea, taking a hefty drink.
“So, what did the two of you talk about while we were gone?” McKenna asks.
She looks worried, and to tell you the truth, I was worried that Harold was going to tear into me about dating his granddaughter and not hurting her. Instead, he thanked me for coming home early with McKenna and making sure she wasn’t alone. To say I was shocked was an understatement.
I’ve known Harold and Agnes since I was little. They’ve been our neighbors for longer than I’ve been alive. The one thing I know about them is that McKenna is the apple of their eye. I was sure I was in for a lecture. Don’t get me wrong. I was ready for it. I’m ready for anything anyone tosses my way. I’m not going to let anything get between us.
“Nothing much. Your gramps thanked me for coming home with you.”
“You didn’t have to do that, you know.” She turns to look at me.
“I did.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I didn’t do it because I felt like I owed you or because I felt obligated.” I turn to face her. Reaching out, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I did it because I wanted to. I did it because I wanted to be there for you and because not being where you are didn’t sound the least bit appealing to me.”
“Awe,” Agnes coos. “Hold on to this one, Mac.” She smiles at us.
“Knock knock,” a nurse says while knocking and pushing into the room. “Visiting hours are over,” she tells us.
“I’m staying,” Agnes tells her.
She nods. “That’s fine, but I’m afraid only one of you, and it’s the same deal as last night. If you get caught, I saw nothing.”
“Deal.” Agnes laughs.
“You kids head home and get some rest. They said I might be able to go home tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” the nurse reminds him.
“Maybe.” Harold nods as if he’s agreeing, but we can all see his desire and determination to convince the doctors to let him go home.
Quickly, we say our goodbyes and leave the hospital. The drive home is quiet until we turn on our road. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s the best idea I’ve ever had. Besides, you promised Harold.”
She contemplates her answer. As we are about five hundred feet from her grandparents’ driveway, she says, “Yes. I’ll stay with you.”
I’m