Page 130 of What Started In Deception

Will smiled again. “I really appreciate this, Ty. Thanks.”

“I hope you guys get stuff figured out.”

“That’s all I want.” Will paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Hey, I want to apologize for Asher’s behavior. He’s been a pretty big dick since you got here.”

Ty shrugged. “I’m not too worried about it.”

Will sighed. “The guy’s been hung up on Lydia for years. I think he’s realizing that he missed his shot, and he’s taking it out on you.”

Ty shrugged again, even though he didn’t like what he was hearing—official confirmation that Asher did indeed have a thing for Lydia. “Lyd’s an amazing woman. It doesn’t surprise me that I’m not the only man who understands that.”

“You’re a good guy. We’re happy that she’s happy. That you’re both happy.”

“Thanks.”

Will nodded, then left.

Ty exhaled a long breath as he watched Will hurry up the stairs. They’d certainly had a couple of interesting conversations. Neither of which had swung around to Will and Asher’s argument yesterday or to Will’s regular lunches with Richard Russo all those weeks ago, but for the first time since he and Lydia had arrived on the compound, he felt optimistic that they might just get there.

Lydia followed the sounds of Everly’s favorite children’s music to the playroom, watching Everly smoosh pink Play-Doh onto a plastic mat while Mac smiled at Maverick as she showed him a rattle as he sat in his floor seat. “Good morning.”

Mac glanced up, looking extra pretty with her makeup on and her hair curled at the ends, extending her smile to Lydia. “Good morning. You look extra glowy today.”

Lydia grinned as she took a seat next to Mac on the super soft area rug. “I feel extra glowy today.”

Mac smiled again as she handed Maverick a new toy to explore. “I take it you forgave Ty for scaring the life out of you yesterday.”

She nodded. “I forgave him so hard.”

Mac laughed. “Sounds fun. Is my girl finally ready to share some details?"

Lydia nodded again, more than happy to spill now that she actually had something to tell. “That man is so good, Mac. From head to toe, he’s absolute perfection. And he knows what to do with it. I screamed this morning.”

Mac raised her brow. “Say no more. But actually, do say more. Some of us are currently sexually deprived.”

Lydia’s light mood dimmed as she stared at her beautiful friend. “How are you guys doing?”

Mac shrugged. “We’ve been talking a little, I guess. He swears up and down that he’s being faithful, but I just can’t shake this gut feeling that something’s off.”

She nodded as she rested her hand over Mac’s. Because she couldn’t shake the feeling either. “I want you and Will to be okay, but I also want my best friend to trust her gut.”

Mac’s phone alerted her to a text. She frowned as she picked it up off the floor. “Who’s texting me at seven fifteen in the morning?” Her eyes went soft as she looked at the screen.

“What?” Lydia asked.

Mac turned the phone so Lydia could read the message.

Have dinner with me tomorrow night. Let’s fix things, Mac. I love you so much.

Lydia pressed her hand to her heart as it melted. “Aw, Mac.”

“He’s trying,” Mac said, looking at her. “Am I being stupid if I know that something’s off, but I still want to make things work with my husband?”

She shrugged. “I don’t think so, especially if you tell him that you want to make things work but you feel like something’s off.”

Mac nodded as she responded to Will’s text. Then she smiled. “He says I should meet him at the Shoalmans Bay Inn at seven thirty. Hazel’s watching the kids.”

Lydia beamed as she wrapped Mac up in a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”