Page 80 of The Art Of Starting Over

How could someone who liked to gossip deny the truth? Devorah laughed at her thoughts. She liked Hayden. More than she probably should for a woman going through the shitstorm she called her life. They both danced around their feelings for each other, although in the past couple of days, Hayden had been very brazen with his intent. The kiss in front of the Lazy Lamb and holding her hand during the baseball game. This was the Hayden she had longed to have back in high school. The one who wasn’t afraid to show people he was interested in her. His actions spoke louder than words, and Devorah found comfort in them.

She had also bonded with Conor from the moment they met. It was like he filled a void she didn’t know existed, and the thought of leaving him and returning to Chicago weighed heavily on her heart. Still, she had to do what was right for Maren.

“I enjoy spending time with Conor and Hayden,” she finally said. It was the truth. Both had come into her and Maren’s lives when theyneeded a friend, someone they could lean on. Lord knows, Devy had leaned on Hayden a lot already.

“Please don’t hurt my son or grandson,” Darcy said quietly.

“Wh-what?”

Darcy stood next to Devorah. “They’ve been through a lot. The fact that Hayden is putting himself out there with you speaks volumes. After Sofia died, I didn’t think he’d recover. And Conor. He’s young and has lost so much. You know what that’s like.”

“I do. Believe me when I tell you this, Darcy, Conor is a sweet boy, and as long as I’m in Oyster Bay, he can depend on me.”

Darcy smiled. “And Hayden?”

“Anything going on between Hayden and me needs to stay there.”

She sighed. “You’re right. I’m meddling. I just want what’s best for my boys.”

“I understand. I’m sure Crow’s on the boat saying the same thing to Hayden.”

“Lord, help my son,” Darcy said with laughter.

When the men returned, Crow fired up the grill, while Lee and Hayden gutted and fileted their catch. Conor wrinkled his nose at the smell and swore he’d never eat fish as long as he lived.

While Crow cooked, Devorah set the picnic table. Darcy took care of getting drinks for everyone. Maren brought her portable speaker outside for her and Conor to listen to. Hayden left, only to return right away with a plastic ball and bat.

“Do you want to play?” he asked Devy.

“I’m more of a spectator today,” she told him, still nursing a hangover. “I’ll be the media relations person and video all the bloopers.”

“Yes, because there will be many.”

Hayden, Maren, Conor, and Lee set up a baseball field in the backyard. Darcy joined Dev on the sidelines and rooted for only Conorand Maren. Each time Lee would come up to bat, Darcy would tease him relentlessly about being old and out of shape. He might have been older than everyone else, except Crow, but Lee McKenna was far from out of shape.

Every other play, Devorah would video the game and take photos. Other than looking at them, she had no idea what she’d do with them.

“Send those to me,” Darcy told her. “I’ll post them on social media.”

Devy grimaced.

“Social media isn’t evil, just some people who use it are.”

“I know. I actually miss watching all the dog videos.”

“So watch them. You know you can block her and block any hashtag she used.”

“How do you know this?”

“Tabitha. She may be in her sixties, but she’s a tech genius.”

“Tabitha ...” Devorah sighed. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Of course. What’s up?” Darcy asked without taking her eyes off the game.

“She’s resharing all ofthosevideos, and as long as she does, they’re never going to go away. I would like OB to be a safe place for Maren and me.”

Darcy looked at Devorah sharply with wide, almost angry eyes. “No!” she said, exaggerating theo. “Oh, hell no. This will not do. The CC Club protects our own, and you are one of us.” She took her phone out and typed rapidly on the keypad. “I told her she best knock it off, or else.”

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