“Not at ten thirty in the morning,” he said dryly.
“Coffee, then. Come on, Jack.” She leaned forward, exposing taut, tanned cleavage, shifting position and strategy with ease. “I drove eight hours to see you. Aren’t you the slightest bit curious to hear why?”
Not particularly, he realized. But it seemed unkind to say so, especially with Hank and Marta listening. In fact, if there was going to be a discussion, he’d rather have it where no one was listening in.
Which ruled out Jane’s.
Gossip traveled fast on the island. If you sneezed before driving the length of the island, somebody at the other end would say “Bless you” as soon as you stepped out of your car.
Maybe the Fish House, where the high-backed booths provided a little privacy. Somewhere quiet, somewhere dark, where Renee could say her piece and be gone.
“I’ll buy you coffee,” he said.
“My treat.” Renee hopped off the desk, her smile almost conciliatory. “Consider it a peace offering.”
***
MATURE ADULTS INcommitted relationships did not freak out when one of their exes drove into town.
She could be mature, Lauren told herself as she closed her laptop, as she fed the cat, as she checked her phone for the twelfth—or was it the twentieth?—time. Onshore, the shadows lengthened. A flock of pelicans sailed by, low against the golden sky.
She’d told Jack she loved him. Love involved trust.
Of course, he hadn’t said it back. But he was committed to her. Wasn’t he?I’m in this thing with you, whether it fits your theories or not, he’d said.
Stay... As long as you want, he’d said.
Lauren wandered back on deck, restless. The fact that he was also at least an hour late wasn’t a particular source of concern. Okay, maybe it was. A little. Only because he hadn’t called.
She stared up the empty road, willing his cruiser into sight. Was he all right?
Tiger mewed at her feet. Lauren scooped up the kitten, cuddling its soft fur against her cheek.Don’t overthink this. Don’t get stuck in your own head.
Headlights flashed, pale against the fading sun.
Her heartbeat quickened. She watched as the black-and-white SUV drew up to the end of the dock and Jack got out, moving stiffly.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said as he came aboard.
She leaned in to kiss him, a soft brush of lips. Stepped back to scan his face, the tension bracketing his mouth, the lines of tiredness around his eyes. “That’s okay. Bad day?”
“Accident out on the highway. Bunch of kids going to the beach. Teenagers, three girls, two boys. The driver was texting, hit the median, and flipped.”
Her heart squeezed. “Oh, Jack.”
“Looks like we’re going out tonight after all. I didn’t have a chance to pick up dinner.”
“Of course. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He scratched Tiger briefly behind the ears. “It’s over.”
“I’m glad you were there to help them.”
His hand dropped. “Yeah.”
He walked past her toward the galley.
She trailed after him. “How... how are they?”
