“Shut up, will you?” Owen said with a laugh. “All I was going to say… Well, now it sounds doubly stupid since you want to leave Grace for me, but… I love you, man. I truly do.”

Evan hugged him. “Love you, too. We all do. We’re so happy to have you officially joining the McCarthy family.”

He might’ve been drunk and sloppy, but he’d been overwhelmed with more emotion than he knew what to do with since his father’s trial ended, and right now was no different. Before he made a complete fool of himself in front of Evan, he released his friend. “We must never speak of this again.”

“Ever,” Evan said gravely. “See you tonight.”

“See you then.”

“You aren’t going to fall over or find some other way to injure yourself on the way home, are you?”

“Nope, I’m good. I’m really, really good.”

Evan smiled and shook his head in amusement as Owen waved and headed toward the Surf and the home he’d found with Laura and Holden. A few early risers were enjoying coffee on the porch when he went up the front stairs and stepped inside. The reception desk was dark and quiet, as was Stephanie’s Bistro and Abby’s Attic. Both would open in a couple of hours to start another summer day on Gansett. Eager to get to his family, Owen took the stairs two at a time, stopping short when he found a large envelope outside their door.

He picked it up and brought it inside, going directly to the bathroom, closing the door so he wouldn’t disturb Laura or Holden. Inside the envelope, he found a sheaf of papers and a note from Dan. “Thought this might make your wedding day a little more special. It took an act of Congress, but we got it done, and Slim flew the papers over last night. Congratulations and best wishes. Dan.”

Laura’s divorce papers.

Owen’s knees went weak with relief and gratitude for the amazing friends who’d gone all out to make it happen in time for the wedding.

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Owen showered, shaved and brushed his teeth before sliding into bed with Laura. His intentions had been good—catch a couple hours of sleep before Holden woke them up. But then he caught the scent of her hair and felt the heat of her body, and the next thing he knew, his arm was around her, his leg was between hers and his face was buried in the silk of her hair.

“So you decided to come home,” she said in a gravelly, sleepy-sounding voice that instantly turned him on.

“It was a tough call, but you know, Holden needs me, so I figured I’d better come back.”

Her hand covered his, which was curved over the round bump of her belly. “I’m glad you did.”