He was usually immune to the chaos, but today it was plucking at his last nerve because, Maggie. No doubt seeing her would pick off the scab he’d been growing for almost three months. But he could do this—fake it. He’d done it a million times before, hadn’t he?
He just needed a moment with her to set the tone. To show her he could be casual-friend Josh. Brother-in-law Josh. Return to their old ways and get their footing back before she reentered their family. Before she met his boy. He needed to set his mind at ease—and hers too. She was no doubt worried about how this might go. Worriedabout how he was doing. He’d reassure her all was well—then they could all relax and enjoy the day.
Ha.
Like it or not, this would be his future, since moving from Seabrook was no longer an option. He’d missed Will’s entire childhood. There was no way he was missing another day. Even if it meant having his heart wrenched apart every time he saw Maggie.
The hum of a car’s engine sounded, drawing his focus down to the drive. Maggie pulled in, edging up to Will’s bumper. Josh’s heart rocked in his chest as he headed toward the front door. He slipped outside, made his way down the steps, and caught sight of Maggie opening the back door for Zoey.
Maggie was beautiful in a casual sage-green dress that fluttered around her long legs. Some of her hair was pulled back into a clip and the shimmering waves ruffled down her back. He’d thought maybe he’d grow used to that dull ache in his chest, but nope.
Zoey jumped from the vehicle, scooted around her mother, and caught sight of him at the bottom of the steps. “Uncle Josh!” She ran straight into his arms.
“Hey, Cupcake.” He swooped her up, tightening his arms around her. Man, he’d missed the kid. “Long time no see. Did you behave on the drive down?”
“I wrote a book for Mia. I know all my letters now.”
“That’s because you’re so smart.”
“It’s Thanksgiving and Aunt Erin made dirt pudding just for me, but I have to eat my mashed potatoes and turkey first.”
He tweaked her nose. “You like mashed potatoes and turkey, silly.”
“Yeah, but I like dirt pudding better.”
He chuckled. “Can’t blame you there, kid.”
“Hi,” Maggie said as she approached.
His laughter faded as the soft tone of her voice warmed him through. “Hey.” His gaze homed in on her bloodshot eyes. The pinkened tip of her nose. He recognized the signs of a recent crying jag and frowned.
Zoey wiggled from his arms. “I’m gonna go see Mamaw and Papaw.”
He set her down and took the grocery bag from Maggie. “Here, honey, run this inside. We’ll be in in a minute.”
“Okay!” Zoey grabbed the bag and dashed up the steps.
Josh focused on Maggie’s expression. The tentative smile didn’t fool him one bit. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Her smile wobbled. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
“You’ve been crying.”
She gave up all pretense. “I, uh, ran into Samantha at the grocery store.”
“Samantha?”His ex-wife was capable of delivering quite the tongue-lashing, not thathehadn’t deserved it. But Maggie sure didn’t. The thought of her dressing Maggie down in public made him see red. “What did she do? What did she say to you?”
Maggie glanced over his shoulder toward the beach. “Um, can we maybe take a quick walk on the beach?”
“Sure.” This wasn’t exactly the conversation he’d anticipated, but it needed to be had. They headed down the walkway between the homes. “Was she mean to you?”
“No. Well, she wasn’t exactly nice, but that’s not why I’m upset.”
“What is it then?”
She was quiet as they took the few steps to the boardwalk that led over the sand dunes. When they reached the top she touched his arm, stopping him.
He made a study of her face. Eyes that flicked away. Tension straining the line of her forehead. Teeth clamping the soft flesh of her lower lip.
