Page 16 of Hearts on the Line

She ignores their answer, clearly on a mission. “Same as always?”

I nod, peeking around at the whispering customers.

“Through that door.”

I don’t waste any time as she leads me into a small office, shoves a coffee into my hand, and points for me toward the chair behind the desk.

Once the door is closed and we have a sliver of privacy, she sits on the edge of the desk. “I don’t know where to start. Last I heard, you were traveling the world, and then I saw something about your engagement to Jason Winthrope.”

I told myself for months it would be fine. That I would be okay with dating and then marrying a pro hockey player. That I wouldn’t mind having my name in the paper or online again. I knew what it was like as Jimmy’s daughter.

It was never easy.

Apparently, it still won’t be.

“And now you’re back in town, and Sean was just blabbing that you’re staying with Ethan.”

“My car broke down,” I snap. Maybe it’s a bit unfair. I’m expecting everyone else to do mental gymnastics to figure out how car problems are related to my secret high school situationship. “He offered me a ride,” I finally say, sliding back against the chair.

A wide grin spreads across her dark-plum lips.

“No!” I can tell what she’s thinking. “I’m not staying. I’m going to grab a room⁠—”

“This week?” She laughs. “Sunny, you won’t want to hear this, but there’s probably not a chance in hell of a room nearby. There’s a big sailing competition. That’s why we’re swamped this morning. Lots of out-of-towners on top of the usual beach traffic.”

It feels like the weight of the world crashes against me. “Of course there is.”

“Stay with me! I’ll pick you up when I’m done with my shift.”

“With you?”

“And my husband, Nico. And our baby Olive, and Arlo. He’s four. Don’t forget it. He’ll quiz you.”

I take a long sip of coffee, the reality hitting me again. Of course. It wasn’t like time paused here in Merritt Point. She has a whole family, and I have a storage locker in Brooklyn with a few boxes and a ruined wedding dress I’ll never wear.

“I’m such a shitty friend. I don’t even know where to start. Congratulations?”

She shrugs me off. “You were traveling and we lost touch. I tried to track you down after I got married, and then I had Arlo, and I barely know my name most days. And with Olive teething? It’s a miracle I’m dressed and speaking in coherent sentences. At least come for supper. We can catch up. We’d love to have you.”

The word love hits differently when you’re not sure anyone actually does anymore.

“Okay.”

Chapter 6

Ethan

Brooks pulls the last trap, and I check the maps one more time. Dad warned me about this spot, said my instincts were off, but I went with my gut. Right now, that’s costing me. We’ll have enough to keep the tanks stocked, but they won’t be as full as I’d like.

“Here.” I hand Brooks another bag of rubber bands before I scan the horizon and start flinging the crabs out of the basket. We need to get back and process everything in time for the dinner rush tonight. Thursdays are the start of our busiest days this time of year. I usually skip taking the boat out on Sundays; instead, I focus on maintenance and help Annie in the kitchen.

“Annie leaves for her fellowship next week. Can’t convince you to cover a shift, can I?”

Brooks drops down a lobster, glaring. It’s a toss-up between him taking a swing or chucking the lobster gauge at my face with the way his body tenses.

“No.” He goes back to the traps, measuring to see what we can keep. If it’s too small, we toss it back.

I know the conversation is done. I’ve known the guy since before I could speak, and in a lot of ways, he’s closer to me than my own brothers. And for all the teasing I get about being quiet or grumpy, Brooks is ten times worse.