“You wanna know what I think?” he asked.

“No!”

He ignored her. “I think you like using that shop, that town, as a shield. A place to hide so you don’t have to go out in the world and make another mistake or take another chance. That’s no way to live your life, Annabeth. You can’t be afraid of being the woman you’re meant to be or of how others will perceive you. Damn it, you’re so much more than you think you are. You just need to prove it to yourself first.”

“Well, I hadn’t realized you had a psychology degree hanging on the wall with all your other college degrees, Hank. Thank you for explaining my problems so the girl with the GED could easily understand them.”

“And that’s another thing, Annabeth,” Hank’s voice boomed over the phone. “The only one who gives a damn about your supposed lack of education is you! No one else is holding it against you or judging you. Everyone looks at you and sees a smart, savvy, beautiful businesswoman.”

“And what happens when I’m not so beautiful anymore, Hank?” she snapped. “When I actually have to hold a conversation with you or your friends and I don’t measure up?”

“What?” Hank’s exasperated voice shouted in her ear. “What are you talking about? We’ve spent the last two weeks talking. Have I ever given you the impression that you didn’t . . . measure up? That I haven’t enjoyed our conversations? Or that they’ve somehow been lacking?”

Annabeth could feel his anger biting through the phone. She felt a little ashamed, but she had no other way to explain herself.

“Tell me, Annabeth, did you think these past two weeks of e-mails and phone calls were just a prelude to sex?” His voice had gone very quiet. “Do you honestly think I’m that shallow?”

No, she wanted to shout. She knew he wasn’t shallow, that his interest went beyond just a physical relationship. The problem was, she wasn’t sure she could keep him satisfied beyond a physical relationship, and she didn’t want to see his face when he came to that realization. Annabeth cared about him too much to endure that kind of pain.

When she didn’t answer, he spoke. “Well, I’d hoped for more, Annabeth. A lot more. I know you’re capable of that, but until you realize it too, there’s nothing more I can say.” He swallowed. “I hope one day you find the courage to see who you really are. Have a nice life, Annabeth,” he said softly before hanging up the phone.

Numb, she slumped back into the sofa and let the tears fall.

Twenty-four

Will Connelly was in love with his wife. He wasn’t sure when or how it happened, but somehow he’d fallen head over heels in love with Julianne. Flighty, messy, neurotic, sexy Julianne. Maybe he’d fallen for her that first night on Sea Island, where the connection between them had sparked to life. Or perhaps it was watching her fight for their son, sacrificing so much so he would live a happy life.

However it had happened, Will was glad she’d weaseled her way into his heart. He sat on the bench in the locker room of the Ship’s Iron Gym studying the wedding band on his left hand in wonder. It actually looked good on him.

“Damn, Will. You could warn a guy first before you blind him with that,” Gavin teased.

Will knew his friend was happy for him, but there was an edge in Gavin’s voice, too. His own fiancée had called off their wedding last summer, just days before the ceremony. While Gavin played down her desertion, Will sensed it still stung.

“Sorry.” Will didn’t need to say any more. They’d been friends long enough that Gavin knew he meant it in a variety of ways.

Gavin shrugged it off. “I’m just a little miffed I didn’t get to toast the bride and groom at their wedding. You married so quickly, we never got a chance to celebrate.”

Will paused in packing his workout clothes in his bag. He and Julianne had married quickly, but it wasn’t supposed to be a marriage based on love, so he hadn’t cared. Now, though, their marriage meant something more. Something to be celebrated. He pictured Julianne in one of her sexy wedding gowns. Every woman wanted a wedding, didn’t they? Perhaps he should suggest they have a more traditional ceremony and reception. One with music and flowers and cake. All the things he’d denied her the first go-around.

He glanced at the gold band again. Will hadn’t been able to bring himself to say the words back to her the other night. Instead, he’d gone out and bought a wedding ring. Hopefully, by wearing it, she’d know he loved her.

“Maybe we’ll have another ceremony. With a reception this time.” The more Will thought about it, the more he liked the idea. They could start over, actually meaning the vows they spoke to one another.

“Ah, now you’re just trolling for wedding gifts, Will. I’m not buying you any china.”

“Funny.” Will zipped his gym bag closed. “We bought china for a wedding gift for Chase last year.”

“Yeah, that’s because we listened to Amanda, who was filling my place with crystal and place settings for sixteen. Seriously, who needs sixteen sets of dishes? If I’m having that many people over for dinner, I’m ordering pizza.” Gavin slammed his locker shut. “I still say we should have gone with our guts and gotten that vintage pinball machine. Chase would have loved it.”

“It was an awesome game,” Will agreed. At the same time, he could picture Julianne easily entertaining sixteen for dinner with a meal she’d prepared. And it wouldn’t be pizza. His kitchen would end up looking like a war zone, but it would be worth it.

“Jeez, Will, are you gonna wear that shit-eating grin on your face all day?”

Unaware that he was smiling, Will glanced at his friend. “Sorry, I was just thinking about—”

“Whoa!” Gavin held his hands up. “TMI. I really don’t need the details, bro.”

They stood in awkward silence for a moment.

“I’m really happy for you, man.” Gavin finally said. “Everything worked out, and I’m glad. You deserve it.”

Will rubbed the back of his neck. “I wish things had worked out for you and Amanda.”

“They did work out, just not the way everyone thought they would. But she’s happy and that’s all that matters.”

Will eyed his friend, wondering if he would be so magnanimous if Julianne suddenly changed her mind about him. Probably not. He stepped toward to Gavin.

“Connelly, if you’re gonna hug me in the men’s locker room,” Gavin protested, “I’m gonna have to take you down. Which, by the way, I can still do. Come on, you can buy me lunch instead.”

“Fine,” Will laughed. It had been many years since Gavin had bested him, but he’d let that ride for now.

“And a cigar,” Gavin said as they headed out the door. “I never got a cigar when your son was born.”

Another thing Will would have to remedy. He needed to organize a wedding and a proper celebration of Owen’s birth. They headed to Pier Pressure while he contemplated both.

* * *

An hour later, Will walked back to his house. He was eager to see Julianne and get her reaction to the ring he wore. Hell, he was looking forward to the things she’d do to him in appreciation, and him to her. His body hardened in anticipation and he widened his stride.

Damn! As he turned onto the sandy drive, he remembered that his wife had disappeared with his mother and Patricia earlier, a happy Owen in tow. They were going shopping, they’d said, all three of them looking like the cat that had eaten the canary. Will was glad his mother and Julianne were getting along. His own relationship with his mother was often fragile. He loved her, that was irrefutable, but he didn’t understand her choices. Her life could be so much more, yet she was content to remain here in Chances Inlet. Perhaps now she’d venture out more, if nothing else but to visit her grandson during the season.

Rounding the curve, he spotted an unfamiliar car in the driveway. Curious, he picked up his pace but nearly stopped in his tracks when he noticed his agent, Roscoe, sitting on the verandah. Will’s breathing ratcheted up a couple of notches. The two hadn’t spoken in two days, when Roscoe had assured him there wasn’t enough evidence for the Senate committee to subpoena him. With luck, Bountygate would fade away. The fact that his agent hadn’t called but instead was here in person didn’t bode well.

Roscoe looked haggard where he sat in the shade, an empty water bottle in his hands. Will climbed the stairs, his own body now tense.

“Your phone broken?” he asked Roscoe.

“Nope.” Roscoe stood, his suit rumpled from the heat. “This conversation needed to take place in person.”

Will muttered a few choice words under his breath as he entered the key code unlocking the kitchen door. Roscoe followed him in and Will headed directly for the refrigerator and pulled out a bottled water. He handed it to Roscoe, who shook his head.

“Got anything stronger?”

Will’s whole body went on alert. He handed Roscoe a beer while taking a swig of the water for himself.

Roscoe took a long swallow. “Where’s your family?” he asked.

“Out.”

Roscoe nodded before taking another pull on the beer bottle.

Will couldn’t take it anymore. “Do you want to tell me what this is all about, or are you waiting for me to get out the chips and salsa?”

Sliding onto a stool at the island, Roscoe ran a hand through his hair. “According to my sources, you’re going to get served. They’d prefer you be in Baltimore to do it, but they’ll come here if you force it.”

Will gripped the countertop, trying to neutralize his shock. “You told me it was all over.”