He rarely missed an opportunity to tease her about Dr. Derrick. Had he heard a word she’d said? “Josh?”
“What?” He glanced her way before swinging his truck into an empty space. “Sorry. My mind’s someplace else.”
“I can see that. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on.”
Josh turned off the ignition and the wipers stopped their incessant swishing. They unbuckled their belts. “Why don’t we eat first? I have an umbrella in the back.” He reached between the seats.
She set a hand on his arm. “Did I do something to upset you?”
“No, of course not. These past few weeks have been... They’ve been the best, Maggie.”
At the tender look in his eyes, a warm, happy bubble rose to the surface and gave a softpop. “For me too. And your parents have been great this week. Offering to watch Zoey, asking about our dates after you leave. They’re coming around to the idea.”
He nodded. “That’s great.”
“It is... which is why I’m wondering what’s bothering you. I’d rather just talk it over now. Maybe you’ll feel better once you get it off your chest.”
He closed his eyes for a long blink.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. “Is it something at work?”
He opened them again. The intensity in his expression sent a trickle of dread through her veins. “I found out a few days ago that Will’s dad isn’t his biological father. He mentioned it during a conversation at lunch.”
“You didn’t tell me.” No wonder Josh seemed so distracted tonight. He must be torn up about his father, his parents. “Oh, Josh...”
“Maggie... remember when my dad came over last week? When we shot hoops and squared things away?”
“Of course.”
“Right. Well, there was a point when I got angry with something he said. Doesn’t matter what—the point is that I lost my mind a little and accused him of having an affair years ago.”
“Oh, wow. You didn’t mention it till now? What happened? Did he own up to it?” Everything had seemed so normal around the house this week. But maybe Becky already knew about the affair.
Josh took her hand as his gaze sharpened on her. “Maggie... he didn’t do it. Will isn’t his child.”
“What?” She frowned. “He denied it?”
“I know my dad—so do you. He looked me right in the eyes. Hewas adamant about it. He was hurt that I would accuse him of cheating on Mom. I felt like a heel.”
But that didn’t make sense. Maggie shook her head.
“I’m telling you, Maggie...” His words were gentle. “He didn’t do it.”
“Okay... if you say so.” But cold fingers of dread inched up her spine. Because... “If he’s not Will’s father, then who—?”
She stiffened.“No.”
Josh tightened his grip on her hand. The pity in his eyes turned her stomach. She wrenched her hand away. “Ethan?He would’ve been, what, nineteen? We were together then. He never would have cheated on me.”
Rain pattered on the roof. Ethan was as loyal as they came, and surely Josh knew that. But clearly he believed Ethan had been unfaithful to her. Josh’s silence made heat flush through her body. Made sweat prickle the back of her neck.
She fought through the fuzz in her brain and forced herself to be objective and analytical. She needed proof, not emotions, to convince Josh. “Not only were we together back then, but Robyn was in her midtwenties, and Ethan was away at college. It doesn’t make logistical sense.”
Except...
Something flashed in her mind. Something from her research earlier that summer. Robyn Jennings had also attended NC State.
But lots of people attended that university. It was the largest in the state.
