“I can picture that. We have the same issue with Daddy most nights. How was Hailey?”

“An angel, as always.”

“That’s good to hear. She is a nice, easy baby.” Maddie rested her hand on her belly, which was just starting to expand. “I hope this one is, too.”

“Maddie and Mac,” Jenny said, “this is my friend Erin Barton. She’s interviewing with the town council Monday to take my place at the lighthouse.”

Erin had long, light brown hair that she wore in a ponytail that made her look younger than her age, which Maddie estimated to be in her mid-thirties. “So nice to meet you, Erin,” Maddie said.

“My dad is on the council,” Mac said. “I’ll tell him to be nice to you.”

“He’s nice to everyone,” Jenny said.

“That he is,” Mac said with a smile for Erin. “I’m sure if Jenny is recommending you, you’re a shoo-in.”

“I’m still not a hundred percent sold on this change Jenny insists I need,” Erin said, “but she can be hard to resist when she gets something in her head.”

“Don’t I know it,” Alex said drolly, winking at his fiancée.

“You love when I get something in my head,” Jenny said with a meaningful smile that made everyone laugh.

“TMI,” Erin said, covering her ears.

“I’m sorry,” Jenny said with a somberness that took Maddie by surprise. Jenny had obviously been joking around. Why would she feel the need to apologize to her friend?

Sensing Maddie’s confusion, Erin said, “I’m Toby’s twin sister. The original fiancé.”

“Oh,” Maddie said as the import settled in on her. Toby had been killed on 9/11. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“That’s very kind of you. It was a long time ago, and no one is more thrilled for Jenny than I am. Truly.”

Jenny gave her friend a one-armed hug. “Thanks.”

“I might be happier for Jenny than you are,” Alex said, which had them all laughing again.

“I like him,” Erin said.

“So do I,” Jenny replied. “And the best part? He has a brother who’s almost as handsome as he is.”

“He is nowhere near as handsome as I am,” Alex said. To Erin, he added, “I’d hate to see you get your hopes up only to have them dashed.”

“Oh my God,” Jenny said. “You’re insufferable. Paul is every bit as gorgeous as you are, isn’t he, ladies?”

“Absolutely,” Lizzie said.

Her new husband glared at her playfully.

“What? He is. Just because I’m married now doesn’t mean I’m suddenly blind.”

Maddie giggled behind her hand.

“What’s so funny over there, Mrs. McCarthy?” her husband asked.

“That you all think we get hysterical blindness or something once you put a ring on our fingers. My eyes still work just fine, and Paul Martinez is hot.”

Alex cringed as Mac glowered.