Page 70 of First Street
“So,” I said, lifting my eyes to his, “what are you doing in Harbor View?”
“Working. Running half of this place,” he said with a shrug, like it was nothing.
“Weren’t you living in Boston?” I pressed. “Law school? Corporate law?”
His eyebrow ticked up, and I could tell he was pleased I remembered. Maybe even a little flattered.
“That worked for a while. But after Julia died…” He stopped, and for a moment the sadness in his face was unmistakable.
“Your wife?” I asked softly.
“What happened?” Ocean cut in right after me.
“Breast cancer,” he said. His voice was steady, but the weight behind it was impossible to miss. “The twins were four. And when it came, life changed. Our lives, our schedules, everything. Being a corporate lawyer just didn’t work anymore. So, we moved back to Harbor View.”
“I’m so sorry about your wife,” I said.
He nodded, his expression still shadowed with loss.
“Your parents still live here?” I asked, easing the conversation forward.
“Yep. Retired. And enjoying every minute. They help me out when they’re around, but only about six months a year.” He gave me a look. “They’ve turned into snowbirds, splitting their time going back and forth between here and Florida.”
“So how old are your twins now?” Ocean asked.
“Seven. Liam and Layla.” He exhaled, shaking his head. “Let’s just say my neighbors know us as the House of Thuds, Shrieks, and Crashes.”
“Fun age,” I said.
“Yes, if you can keep them alive. At this stage, they’re too much for my parents, and every summer when they’re out of school it’s the same story. Babysitter after babysitter quitting on me because of their antics.” He shifted his gaze to Ocean. “Do you babysit?”
Ocean blinked, then smirked. “Why not? I’m great at teaching kids how to ignore their parents.”
“Well, this must be fate.” He turned to me, eyes lit with sudden hope. “Can I get your number? I can send some times over for Ocean. See if she’s available?”
“Sure, why not?” I said, taking the phone he offered. My fingers hovered for a second longer than necessary before I typed my number into his contacts.
Just then, Ocean’s phone lit up. I didn’t mean to pry, but the screen was angled enough for me to see the name. Dad. My stomach dropped.
She pushed to her feet so fast her chair almost fell over.
“I’m just going to step out for a second to take this,” she said quickly, already turning away.
I watched her hurry off. Rhys and I had already said everything there was to say, but still I was glad he was calling her.
“How’s California treating you?” Caleb asked, once we were alone.
“It’s okay. Life is…hectic. Busy.”
“And being married to a movie star?”
I blinked at him, caught by surprise. “How do you know about my husband?”
“Clare was a regular here,” he said. “You know how people like to open up to bartenders.”
A bittersweet pang hit me. “She always had a soft spot for you.”
“Same here.” He gave me a gentle tap on the back of my hand. “I’m truly sorry for what happened. You were everything to her.”
