Page 86 of Hearts on the Line

“Wow, Nana.” Jack digs through the full wicker basket full of silly hats and boas. “What’s the special occasion?”

Bridget smiles warmly up at her grandson. “You came home.” She pats his cheek, grinning. “It’s always a treat to see you before you get busy with the season.”

“Well…” He puts on a pair of foam sunglasses and a sea captain’s hat. “I need to relax.”

“You need to stay out of trouble,” June grumbles, pointing at him. “Don’t think I don’t see the gossip about you.”

“I’m not in trouble,” he says while rooting around in the liquor cabinet, pulling out bottles. He opens up the rum, sniffs it, then takes a swig. “Ooh, I think this is bad.”

Bridget swipes it from him. “Let’s check the date. You want to try again?”

He grins back at her. “Expires next year, but it tastes horrible. Let me help clean out the cupboard for you. Don’t want you ladies to mix drinks with bad liquor.”

She ruffles a hand through his hair. “Trouble. I knew those dimples were gonna be your downfall.”

“My dimples are helpful. They get me laid, Nana.”

“Jack Ronan Murphy!” she says, flabbergasted. “I don’t want to hear about your sex life.”

“I do,” June says, cackling.

I glance around and realize Ethan has already retreated to the kitchen, so I head back and help him while Jack teases the others.

“Ready for supper?” He pours us each a glass of wine, then lifts his to clink against mine. “Had a good day at the paper this morning?”

I take a sip and lean back against the counter. My arm wraps around my waist—it’s like I’m holding myself together. The unfortunate truth is, the newspaper is perfect, but I’ve made a huge mistake.

“I had a great day.”

He warms up a seasoned cast-iron pan on the stove. “Good. I like seeing you happy.” He turns around, grabs the brown paper package of scallops we picked up at the fish market, opens it, and pats them dry.

“You tried something new at the restaurant today, and you didn’t tell me.”

“I played around with a few ideas while you had dinner with Sarah. Had to try something to help bring in more customers. We’re going to close otherwise.”

I stay quiet as he moves around the kitchen, commanding the space with such ease. I want to know what he’s thinking about until he looks at me, and I realize it’s me. His hazel eyes are filled with heat and something I can’t quite name—like he’s bracing for me to disappear. I can’t tell if he’s sad or relieved I’m still standing there with him.

I want to keep what’s happening to ourselves, not because I’m embarrassed to be with him, but because I don’t want it to be ruined. I don’t think he understands. And so, once again, we’re in a bit of a standoff.

Bridget and the others start laughing again from the other room. I poke my head out, and Jack’s holding his phone up, Facetiming with his parents.

Jack turns to me with a wolfish grin. “Oh, you haven’t heard?”

“Richie!” Bridget yells, not quite realizing she doesn’t need to yell into the phone.

“He can see and hear you fine, Nana.” Jack fights back a laugh.

“Richie, Sloane’s back for the summer.”

“Sloane?” Their mother, Kathleen, pops into the frame. “Sloane, honey! Is that you?”

I peek behind me, a little disappointed that Ethan isn’t right there.

“Hi, Kathleen.” I grip my wineglass. It’s the only thing I have to keep me from floating away.

“Oh my god, we’re so happy to see you, honey. How are you?”

“I’m good. Great, actually.”