Page 60 of Love At The Shore
Why did that scenario sound so familiar?
He just didn’t know what he was missing.
Maybe the kid had a point.
Jenna held the door open for Maureen as they stepped into one of the cute mom-and-pop gift shops on Tybee’s Main Street.
“I told him no hot tub until he finishes the porch.” Maureen made a beeline for a rack of breezy sundresses while Jenna browsed through gift items on the tables up front.
She picked up a picture frame decorated with coral and put it back down. “You think that will work?”
Maureen let out a laugh. “The man wants a hot tub.”
She had a point. Ian had been talking about building a deck with a hot tub in their backyard in Savannah for months. It was only a matter of time.
Jenna considered the assortment of knickknacks until she spotted a table with a neat row of colorful ties for sale in the middle of the shop.Aha!
She picked up one of them—silk, the color of aqua-hued beach glass.
Maureen’s eyebrow rose. “So you’re buying a gift? For Lucas? From thekids?”
They’d already been through this. That’s why Jenna had wanted to go shopping while Ally, Nick and Grayson were busy at day camp. She should have known Maureen would press for details. She’d been wearing her matchmaker expression all morning.
“The kids want to give him something for good luck since he’s coming over for dinner,” Jenna said as casually as possible.
She’d asked him this morning when she’d returned from dropping Nick and Ally off at summer camp and found Lucas sanding his surfboard on the deck. The invitation had popped out of her mouth before she could stop it.
“Wait.What?” Maureen’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “When?”
Jenna shrugged one shoulder. “Tonight.”
Maybe if she acted completely nonchalant about the dinner, Maureen wouldn’t makea thingof it.
Jenna was wrong, of course.
Maureen gasped out loud. “I can’t believe we’ve been hanging out for over an hour and you’re just telling me this now?”
“It’s not a big deal.” But it felt gigantic.
“Hello? You’ve barely dated since your divorce,” Maureen oh-so-helpfully pointed out.
Which was exactly why Jenna didn’t want to overthink dinner. Otherwise, she’d be a nervous wreck. The last time she’d eaten in front of Lucas, she’d mangled a crab. Who knew what would happen next?
“Yeah…well. I’ve been a little busy,” she said.
“For the last four years?” Maureen deadpanned.
“Yes.” She put the aqua tie back and considered a pink one, refusing to meet Maureen’s gaze.
Jenna knew she meant well. Other than her kids, Maureen was her closest confidante. Still, the truce with Lucas was still new. Who knew if it would even last?
“It’s okay to feel excited,” Maureen said.
Jenna sighed. Could they not have this discussion?Please?
“All right, fine.” Maureen held her hands up. “If it makes you feel more comfortable, it’s not a big deal.”
Jenna nodded. “Thank you.”
