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“Try harder,” Mason said.
“You’re a tough crowd,” Jace said, feeling immeasurably better after airing it out with them. He should’ve known they would help. They always did.
“We’re telling you the truth, and you know it,” Mallory said.
“I do know it, and I appreciate it. I think more than anything, it was embarrassing to have my past possibly screwing things up for Seamus and Carolina, especially after they’d entrusted me with the boys.”
“Understood,” Mallory said. “But it didn’t screw up anything. It’s not like they didn’t know you’d been in prison before this happened.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“They knew that, and they still asked you to be the one to care for the boys during their emergency,” Quinn said. “From what you said, they didn’t hesitate to ask you.”
“They didn’t, and he said they’d ask me again if they ever need coverage.”
“That ought to be what matters,” Quinn said.
Jace nodded. Quinn was right. They all were, and he needed to let it go. “Thank you for listening and for the tough love. I needed it.”
“We’re here for that any time.” Mallory smiled as if she was proud of herself for busting him out of his funk. “We did good work here, gentlemen.”
“She’s going to gloat about this all day,” Quinn said. “In case you were wondering.”
Jace laughed at the face Quinn made as he said that.
Mallory leaned into her husband. “You love me.”
He put his arm around her. “Someone’s gotta.”
John askedhis brother Jeff to drop him off in town. “You need a ride home?” Jeff asked when he pulled over by the ferry landing.
“Nah, I’ll get a ride.”
“You look good. Where are you heading?”
“To meet a friend for dinner.”
“A friend or a friend?”
“The former. For now, anyway.”
“But you like him.”
“Yeah, I do.” John looked over at Jeff. “Are you seeing Kelsey?”
“Yep.”
“I’m glad for you. She seems like a nice girl.”
“She’s one in a million, and I’d like to think I’m smart enough not to let her get away.”
“I hope it works out for you guys.”
“Likewise, with you and your friend. I’m glad you’re sticking around. We just gotta get Josh here.”
“He’s got something going with a woman in Virginia. I don’t think he’s coming.”
“We’ll see,” Jeff said. “Anyway, if you end up needing a ride, call me.”
