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His eyes filled, and he leaned his head against hers. “Darlin’, you’re supporting me by offering. Sometimes we can bring a relative, spouse, or girlfriend to a meeting. I’ll let you know when.”
“Sounds good. Con, can you kiss me now?”
He framed her face and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. She opened and let him in, their tongues caressing and seeking love and forgiveness.
She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. “I hate fighting, too, but we’re going to have some pretty fantastic make-up sex.”
“That’s a fact, although it will take something pretty spectacular to top last night.” He glanced up at the lighthouse. “Let’s eat. I have an idea on how.”
They ate a dinner of cold roasted chicken and chickpea salad. Connor listened while Abby updated him on her conversation with Natalie.
“Has Natalie talked to Liam about the paint cans and necklace?” he asked.
“She’s been trying to find him. He stayed overnight at a friend’s house and was supposed to work at Harrison’s this afternoon, but didn’t show up. And he’s not answering her texts or calls.”
Connor remembered the creative ways he’d found to avoid going home some nights, including staying at a friend’s house, telling his mom he was working late, or even sometimes sleeping on the beach. Anything to allow him to party into oblivion.
“What did Ethan say?”
“He listened to what happened and collected the cans and newspaper. It was uncomfortable, since he and Nat have been seeing each other, or at least sleeping together.”
“Ouch. Yeah, this makes things a little weird.”
“I don’t understand why Liam would act out this way.”
“Didn’t you say he was hanging out with a new group of friends?”
“Yeah, they’re the ones Jason caught smoking pot a few nights ago. I still can’t wrap my head around that.”
Connor could appreciate it being difficult for an adult to believe the worst about someone they’d known since birth.
Still, it didn’t negate the truth and the cold, hard facts.
“I tried my first joint at twelve and was dealing by fourteen,” Connor said. “It happens. I wish my mom would have found out and stopped me. But with working three jobs, we barely saw her.”
“This is Nat’s last week working at the five and dime, and she’s only working a few shifts on the weekend at Tonino’s, with the shop opening.”
Giving Liam lots of time on his own…at a vulnerable age.
“Starting a business is going to be hard on both of you. Stores here stay open late during tourist season. The more she’s away, the more trouble Liam can get into.”
Abby frowned. “You’re right. Nat’s been focused on saving money, hoping she can get her own place instead of living with our mom. Plus, she’s trying to put away money for Liam to go to college.”
“There’s community college and other lower-cost options in Jersey to consider. And if Liam keeps getting into trouble, it will make getting into college harder,” Connor said.
“She and I have had similar conversations. Honestly, I’m not sure what she’s thinking.” Abby closed up the containers and stored them in the cooler. “Right now, we need to get through the store opening, but Nat may be forced to deal with whatever trouble Liam has gotten into sooner than later.”
Something had been on his mind, and he hoped Abby wouldn’t get angry if he poked his nose into her business more than he already had.
“Have you considered hiring a couple part-time workers? You’ll have to continue to make inventory, and with only you and Natalie, it will make it hard to cover all the hours.”
“It’s funny you ask. I took out an ad yesterday. I got a couple of calls today and scheduled two interviews tomorrow,” she said.
“Good to hear, darlin’.” He pushed her hair aside and kissed her neck, inhaling the scent of daisies and sunshine. “I hear you have a demanding boyfriend who will be lonely if you’re not home every night until late.”
She laughed. “I’ll work out a schedule so I can give plenty of attention to my demanding boyfriend.”
“He would be appreciative, but I suppose he’ll understand and can use the time for non-work projects.”
