He hoped.
It had been three days since he’d requested this dinner and they’d exchanged only the briefest of texts since then. Did she suspect what was coming? Had she purposely distanced herself from him? He would know soon enough.
He’d arrived a few minutes early to make sure they got the private booth he’d requested and try to compose himself. But when the hostess led him to a booth in the far corner of the restaurant, Maggie was already seated there.
She offered a smile that seemed strained. “Hey.”
His heart took a dive as he slid into the opposite side of the booth. “Hey yourself. Been here long?”
“Just arrived. I thought it might take Zoey a minute to acclimate to Sharon, but she practically dragged the woman off to play.”
“Sharon—Mom and Dad’s next-door neighbor?”
“Yeah.” Maggie glanced down. “I wasn’t sure how to, uh, explain to Erin...”
That they were having dinner alone. He should’ve considered that. “Right.”
She glanced up at him, eyes full of questions and uncertainty.
But he wasn’t ready to plunge into the conversation. If it ended badly, he didn’t want either of them suffering through an awkward hour-long meal. Better to save it for later.
Like a gift from heaven a male server appeared tableside. “What can I get you two to drink?”
They ordered their drinks and then, when the server left, began perusing the extensive menu. They made small talk about the offerings, and a few minutes later when the server returned, he took their order. Maggie went for the fried flounder and Josh ordered barbecue.
But the very thought of food made his stomach churn. What happened in the next thirty minutes would determine the entire course of his future. But this uncertainty had to come to an end. He couldn’t continue to live this way. She’d had such a hold on him for so long—and she didn’t even realize it.
“So... how’s it working out with Will so far? Learned anything helpful?”
He expelled his breath, glad to be on familiar footing. “He’s doing great at the job. I haven’t learned anything new about his homelife, though. I think he and Addison are infatuated with each other.”
Maggie gave a wistful grin. “Ah, young love.”
“They stare at each other when they think the other one’s not looking. Addison blushes when they’re talking and Will gets all flustered. It’s kind of hilarious. I just hope it doesn’t end with someone quitting.”
“Is she a nice girl?”
“She is. She comes from an affluent family and hasn’t been in the area long, but she seems to have her head on straight. She’s reliable and organized. I’d take her over Penny any day.” Penny had filled the job before Addison. “And you? Have you had time to do any more research?”
“I’ve done quite a bit but I haven’t learned much. I can’t find a connection between Robyn and your dad. If they worked together at some point, I haven’t been able to figure out when or where.”
Disappointment warred with relief. Even though Josh wanted answers, and even though it seemed likely his dad had done this, he didn’t want to believe it. “I thought for sure we’d find something.”
“Even if they didn’t work together, they must’ve run in the same circles. It’s possible they met at a conference or fundraiser or something.”
“True.”
They began discussing the many ways Brad might’ve met Robyn. As they chatted they eased into their comfortable patterns.
By the time the food arrived they were on familiar footing. Maggie raved over the flounder and hush puppies, but as the clock ticked away, Josh’s mind returned to the matter at hand. It was all he could do to finish the pork. By the time the server collected their plates, the heavy meal sat like a cement block in his stomach.
Time to get down to business. What he said could give rise to an even closer relationship. Or it could drive a permanent wedge between them. If Maggie didn’t feel the same way, their easy relationship might never be the same.
She was staring at him in the muted light, no doubt wondering why he’d invited her here. Her eyes held questions.
And he had the answers.
He drained the last of his drink, mustering courage. Then he took a deep breath and met her gaze. Now or never. “You’re probably wondering why I wanted to speak with you alone. The thing is, Mags, I’ve been wondering about something lately.” Like for about the last twenty years. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been wondering if...” He got caught in the pull of her pretty brown eyes and forgot the phrasing he’d planned to use.
