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“Sure, sweetheart. Let’s go,” Connor said with a wink to Abby.
Maddy set down Dylan, who chased Sandy out the door. “Abby, stay and hang in here with us.”
Abby watched Connor trail after them. “She’s going to terrorize that poor puppy.”
“Most definitely,” Maddy said.
“Here’s to maybe five minutes of peace.” Emma clinked glasses with the girls.
“How’s the shop coming along?” Emma asked.
Abby sighed. “Renovations are slower than I hoped.” She pointed down to her bandaged ankle. “I had a minor mishap yesterday.”
“Oh no. What happened?” Maddy asked.
“I was running by the ocean and tripped. It’s only a sprain, but there’s a lot of work left to get ready for opening,” Abby said.
“It’s next week, if I remember,” Emma said. “Need help? I’d be glad to pitch in.”
“Me too,” Maddy added.
Wasn’t Natalie always busting her chops because Abby never felt comfortable asking for help?
“It’s nice of you to offer, but I’m sure you both have your own stuff to do.”
“It’s not a problem,” Emma replied.
“Besides, we’re dying to get a preview of your products,” Maddy said.
Maybe two more sets of hands plus more female perspectives would be useful.
“Sure. Thanks. Heads-up, things are a real mess,” Abby said.
Outside, there was a crash followed by the bark of a puppy and Dylan shrieking.
Maddy and Emma exchanged a glance and rolled their eyes.
“Good thing we’re used to working with chaos,” Emma said, and drained her margarita glass.
Chapter Six
Abby slept through the night with the help of two margaritas. Thanks to her internal clock, she’d woken without aid from an alarm a little past six a.m. Stretching in bed, she wished for the days when she could sleep as late as she wanted.
Rolling onto her side, she thought about last night. Dinner at Emma and Jason’s had been surprising. Abby hadn’t expected to fit in, but after her initial awkwardness, she realized there was no reason to worry.
The house had been full of noise and laughter. Dylan chased poor Sandy around the yard until they both dropped from exhaustion. After a round of flashlight tag with the guys, Tyler carried the sleeping toddler upstairs to bed, while the puppy passed out in a dog bed in the kitchen.
Abby was no stranger to a busy household, having grown up sharing a bedroom with two sisters and her nephew…at least until they moved to Pelican Bay.
The adults continued to hang out late into the evening, with Jason turning on the gas firepit for warmth in the cooler night air. String lights along the outside of the porch plus an assortment of lighted mason jars bathed the backyard in soft, romantic light.
Connor sat next to her in an Adirondack chair, sometimes touching her hand to get her attention and leaning close to give her insight to an inside joke. She expected—or perhaps hoped—he would make a move when he dropped her off, but he walked her upstairs, made sure she got in safely, and left.
Which left Abby restless, despite the two cocktails, and confused by her feelings for the man she’d convinced herself she was over.
Watching Connor with Dylan stirred thoughts Abby had long ago pushed aside. She stretched onto her back and covered her stomach with her hands, yearning for what had never been. She’d seen what her sister went through as a single mom. So, when Abby found herself pregnant at twenty, it was no surprise she had freaked out. Based on her calculation, it had happened around the night of Hurricane Samantha. By the time she missed her period and had taken the pregnancy test, Connor and his family had moved to Florida.
Although they had promised to stay in touch, they had made no long-term plans or commitment to each other.
