He shifted in his seat, eager to see her. So eager he’d left work a full hour early, something he couldn’t remember doing before. It was time he gave his top dockhand, Brandon, a little more responsibility. The kid was capable and eager to prove himself.
His thoughts jumped to the jobs still needing done at the cottage. He’d agreed to handle the things the sisters didn’t feel comfortable with: fixing the plumbing, changing out the linoleum in the laundry room, and replacing a window that had a failed seal.
If they were productive tonight, maybe he could talk Maddy into a walk on the beach. He was eager to get her alone, eager for another chance to kiss her.
He pulled onto Bayview Drive, wondering how quickly he could shower and change. Silly, maybe, since he was only going to get dirty again, but the smell of fish clung to him, and he wanted to smell good for Maddy.
As he approached his place his eyes fell on a red car in the driveway next door. The Monroe sisters had company. As he grew nearer he realized it was an old Mustang—a late sixties model, if he wasn’t mistaken.
He remembered Maddy’s comment from their date, and his stomach fell to the floorboard. He pulled into his driveway and sat there a moment, looking next door.
Had she been expecting a visit from Nick? She hadn’t said anything.
The Mercedes was gone, but Maddy’s car was there. Likely Emma and/or Nora was gone. That meant Maddy might be alone with Nick. Connor had no reason to be concerned about her safety—just because he was a tool didn’t mean he was dangerous.
A few minutes later Connor went inside his house and went through the motions: taking a shower, washing his hair, getting dressed. His mind spun a mile a minute. Worry churned in his gut. What did Nick want with Maddy? Was she okay?
When he got downstairs he grabbed his cell phone and pulled up Maddy’s number. He’d just make sure she was all right.
But moments later the phone rang into voicemail. He hung up without leaving a message. Why would Nick have come all the way to Seahaven? She’d said he’d been trying to reach her. Was he here to make amends? Did he miss her, want her back?
Connor walked into the kitchen where he could see the cottage through the window. He’d feel a lot better if he knew one of her sisters was there.
The landline. He found their grandma’s number under his contacts and called it. He wasn’t sure what his place was. He recognized the jealousy twisting his gut, but she wasn’t his girlfriend. They’d only had one official date.
The phone rang five times before going to voicemail. Darn it. He ended the call and squeezed the back of his neck. Why wasn’t someone answering? It was possible they’d all left in the Mercedes. But that was also unlikely.
He was going over there, he decided, charging toward his back door. He hated to make things uncomfortable for Maddy, but her safety came first. It was worth the bit of awkwardness his appearance might cause. If she was fine, he’d excuse himself.
But when his feet hit the deck, his eyes caught on movement down by the beach. He immediately recognized Maddy’s dark hair trailing in the wind. She walked beside a man he could only deduce was Nick. He was several inches taller than she was, dark hair, sleek looking.
Connor’s lungs deflated, leaving him with a hollow feeling. If someone had asked him yesterday what Maddy would do if Nick turned up on her doorstep, he would’ve sworn she’d shut the door in his face.
Instead, she appeared to be taking a leisurely stroll on the beach with him. He could barely see them now, over the dunes, walking together, more closely than he would’ve liked.
Clearly Maddy felt they had things to talk about. Closure? Or was that just wishful thinking on his part? Maddy and Nick had a long history. They’d been in love—or Maddy had been—while Connor’s relationship with her was brand-new.
Still, he couldn’t believe she was giving Nick the time of day after what he’d done. Connor watched from the deck, hands on hips, energy churning through his body, until he couldn’t see them anymore.
He’d never felt this way before. Annie had been the first girl he’d been serious about, and she’d never given him reason to feel jealous. He put his palm against his chest where his heart actually ached.
Enough of this. He took out his phone, opened the last incoming call on his phone, and waited until there was an answer.
“Hey,” he said in greeting. “Still want to shoot hoops tonight?”
“Sure,” Lamont said. “Thought you had other plans.”
“They fell through.” He’d never actually said he’d be over to help the sisters tonight. And obviously Maddy had other plans now. “See you in ten?”
“Sure thing.”
Connor ended the call. He suddenly couldn’t wait to burn off some steam.
“Dude.” Lamont hunched over, hands on his knees. “Take it easy on a brother. I haven’t played in weeks.”
“You’re just sore I’m beating you for once.” Connor slapped the ball against the concrete. The local park was nearly empty tonight, the humidity chasing everyone away. They’d both lost their shirts five minutes in, and now sweat rolled off their bodies.
Lamont drew a forearm across his forehead. “Why do I get the feeling I’m in the middle of some kind of therapy right now?”
