Chapter 8 #3
“She will be, but she’s sore and achy. I only left her when they gave her something to help her sleep. I needed to get home to feed Hailey before my boobs exploded. David and Victoria are keeping an eye on Daisy, but I’m going back over there after this.”
“That’s really too bad. She’s such a sweet person.”
“I know. It’s awful.” Maddie finished her first cup of coffee and signaled Rebecca for a refill. “So what’s up with you? How’s the shop doing?”
“Okay.”
“Just okay?”
“Could be better, could be worse. I’m not panicking. Yet.”
“I’m sure it’ll pick up when the season really gets started. Until Race Week, things are kind of slow around here.”
“I know.” Tiffany fiddled with her spoon, wanting to tell her sister the other big news but also wanting to keep it secret for a while longer. “I got my final divorce papers the other day.”
“Oh, wow. Are you okay?”
“Sure,” Tiffany said. “I knew they were coming any time now.”
Maddie reached out to squeeze her sister’s hand. “Still, Tiff.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’ve certainly had plenty of time to prepare myself.”
“True.” Maddie looked down at her coffee and then at her sister. “So, I wanted to tell you… I’ve decided to see Dad.”
“Really?”
Maddie nodded. “Mac is furious with me about it, but I hate that I’m the only thing standing between Mom and a divorce. I want her to be able to marry Ned.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to see him?”
“Hell, no. I’m sure it’s a terrible idea, but I can’t bear the idea of him denying her a divorce because of me.”
“I understand that. What does Mac say about it?”
“He doesn’t want me to get hurt again, and I love him for that.”
“I don’t blame him for worrying.”
“I don’t either, but he refuses to understand how hard it is for me to be the one thing standing between my mother and what she wants and deserves after all she’s been through.”
“Mom is perfectly thrilled to be living with Ned. I don’t think a piece of paper is going to change anything for them.”
“She hasn’t said as much to me, but I think she’s still old school enough to be uncomfortable about shacking up without the benefit of marriage.”
“Probably,” Tiffany conceded. “So when are you going to see him?”
“I left him a message. I’m waiting to hear back and tiptoeing around my husband in the meantime.”
“Let me know if you hear from him.”
“I will.”
“I slept with Blaine.”
So much for keeping it secret.
Maddie froze, her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “And?”
“It was awesome. Incredible. Amazing. All those things.”
“Oh my God! I’m so happy for you! This is the best news I’ve heard in ages.”
“Don’t get all crazy. It’s not some great love affair, so don’t make it into more than it is.”
“Oh, I bet it’ll turn out to be more than just sex.”
“I wouldn’t take that bet. We barely talk to each other.”
Maddie fanned her face. “That’s so hot. You have to give me some details.”
“No! No way.”
“Come on… It’s just me. Spill it.”
Tiffany’s entire body heated when she thought about Blaine and what they’d done together.
“Whoa, it’s so hot it makes you blush when you think about it?”
“It was pretty hot,” Tiffany conceded.
“You gotta give me something. One little tidbit?”
Tiffany got a reprieve when Rebecca delivered their omelets. Maddie dove in like she hadn’t eaten in weeks, while Tiffany picked at hers.
“I haven’t forgotten,” Maddie said between bites.
“You’re a pain in the ass.”
“I know.”
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “I didn’t grill you like this when you got together with Mac.”
“That’s because you were too busy hating him for being a McCarthy.” Maddie poked her fork at Tiffany. “I would’ve been happy to share the dirty details with you.”
“Liar. You never talked to me about that stuff.”
“That’s because before Mac there wasn’t much to talk about.” Maddie checked her watch. “I need to get back to the clinic to check on Daisy. Are you going to share or not?”
“Not.”
“You should know that Blaine was truly amazing with Daisy last night. He’s very good at what he does. The island is lucky to have him.”
“That’s true.”
When Tiffany thought of how he’d defied the mayor on her behalf, her stomach turned and she lost interest in her coffee. What if he lost his job because of her? She couldn’t let that happen.
Maddie nudged her out of her thoughts. “You have to tell me something.”
“Fine! What do you want to know?”
Maddie propped her chin on her upturned hand. “Oh, I don’t know. Something…scandalous.”
“How do you know there was anything scandalous?”
“Because you two have been having eye sex for months now. I have no doubt it was scandalous.”
“What the hell is ‘eye sex’?” Tiffany asked with a laugh.
“Tearing each other’s clothes off with your eyes.”
Tiffany laughed again at that. “This is all I’m saying, you got me?”
Maddie leaned in closer so she wouldn’t miss a word. “Got it. I’m ready. Bring it on.”
“He made a ceiling fan into a sex toy.”
“What? How? How did he do that?”
Tiffany flashed her sister a smug smile and slid out of the booth. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
“That’s mean!” Maddie called after her. “And so is stiffing me with the check.”
“Breakfast was your idea, not mine,” Tiffany replied as she waved to Rebecca and headed for the door. “I’ll get it next time.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”