She chuckled, the smile lingering on her mouth. “In love.”
He huffed. “Yeah? I was married for four years, remember?”
“Oh, I remember...”
He was not going there. Not with Erin, not with anyone.
“You’re right about Nora,” Erin said. “Maggie’s been through a lot. It’s a wonder she turned out to be such a wonderful person. Don’t worry. I won’t give her a hard time.”
As Erin’s approach softened, his shoulders relaxed. “Well. Thanks for that.” He hated to even tell Maggie what her mom had done. Or maybe Nora had already called to gloat about it. She was a master manipulator. And Josh didn’t relish the thought of opposing her in this battle.
“There’s one more thing,” Erin said.
At her serious tone, his gaze swung to hers.
“Nora asked me for Mom’s number.”
He stiffened. “You didn’t give it to her.”
“So she could blindside Mom too? Of course not. But she’s clearly on a rampage, out to manipulate everyone to get what she wants.”
His sister was no dummy. But now, thanks to Nora, they might have a real mess on their hands.
“You should talk to Maggie before this escalates any further.”
“I will.”
A moment later she leaned forward, eyes twinkling. “You know, I think I could get used to seeing you all dopey-eyed over my best friend.”
“Shut up,” he muttered. But his lips twitched as he said it.
Chapter 34
Maggie’s ears were still ringing with her mother’s accusations. Sitting in the Food Lion parking lot, she’d listened to the tirade, steeling herself against the harsh words.
And as she pulled from the lot, she battled the familiar sense of shame and insecurity. She was so tired of feeling this way. Of letting her mother make her feel this way. For years Erin had advised her to seek therapy for the emotional abuse she had endured—was still enduring. Maybe Erin was right.
Maggie’s recent therapy had been focused on her grief and loss, but now that those feelings had somewhat abated, maybe it was time to focus on her relationship with her mother. Figure out some way to manage her mother’s behavior and maintain her sanity.
When she returned to the beach house, rather than go next door and pick up Zoey, she flittered through the house, dispensing with clutter. She cleared her mind as she did the breakfast dishes and started a load of laundry. By the time she finished she felt calmer.
She was about to run next door when her cell phone rang. At the sight of Josh’s face on her screen, her lips turned upward. Remembering the way he’d come to her defense last night, she went all warm inside. Ethan had been supportive about her mother, but Mom onlyever showed him her good side. She was quite charming when she wanted to be. He didn’t fully understand why Maggie found her so exasperating. As painful as last night had been, at least Mom exposed her true self to Josh.
Maggie accepted the call. “Hi there. On lunch break?”
“Yeah, for a few more minutes anyway. Have you heard from your mom?”
“Oh yeah. She gave me an earful a little while ago. It was basically last night’s scene, take two. I’m still trying to shake it off.”
“I’m sorry. And I’m really sorry to add to your worries. But Erin tracked me down at the marina. Your mom called her this morning and told her about our relationship.”
Maggie palmed her forehead “What?Why would she do that?”
“I think we both know the answer to that.”
This was not how Maggie had wanted her best friend to find out. “How upset is she? I have to call and explain.”
“It’s okay. I talked to her. She’s fine, honey. She’s not upset with you.”
