He kind of took my heart and stomped on it this morning, even though I’m acutely aware I’m overreacting.
Because the reality is, we had a night of great sex, and I’m the naïve one trying to make it more.
I clasp my hands in my lap and glance over at him. His gaze pins me in place like a laser.
“This is tough to talk about,” he admits.
“What is?” I ask him.
He hesitates, but the pain that slashes across his face lets me know whatever he’s about to say is a big deal.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Michael
Lucky Queen was my dad’s boat, the one that sank somewhere in the Atlantic. Never fully recovered, but pieces of it were found, enough to know the tragic result.
Only those who were on deck that night owned Lucky Queen pin logos. Some, like my father, always left the pins behind when they set sail.
I keep his pin with me at all times now. Seeing the same pin among Emery’s purse contents unnerved me to the point that I shut her out.
“Michael?” Emery’s tone is filled with concern. “You’ve gone pale. Is everything all right?”
“Where did you get the Lucky Queen pin?” My words come out harsher than I plan for them to.
“Ohh. The pin that fell out of my purse,” she says like it explains something.
I nod. “Did someone give it to you?”
“My godmother,” she says softly. “Her husband was a fisherman.”
“Where?” I demand. “Not in Montana.”
“No. In Maine.”
I feel like I’m completely unmoored. I’m caught in a wave where nothing makes sense.
“Maine?” I can’t stop myself from repeating it.
She bites her lip. “I felt like telling you that my godfather drowned was really personal. I was worried I’d get emotional because…” She chokes up. “I always do when I think about him.”
“I get it.” I reach for her hand and squeeze it before letting it go.
“My godparents lived in Lucky Bay for years.” Emery smiles, unaware she’s completely taken my legs out from under me. “I love that name.”
“And your godmother lives there?”
“My godmother lives in Montana now.”
Lynn.
It can’t be.
And yet, nothing else makes sense…
“Is your godmother also your aunt?” I ask.
“Yes.”
