She and David had been a team for so long, since their sophomore year of high school, that Janey couldn’t imagine her life without him. She just wished they saw more of each other. Once a month or so, she spent a weekend with him in Boston, and he came to the island whenever he could get at least forty-eight hours free. Unfortunately, that hadn’t happened very often during his residency. He was either working or sleeping. Often when they were together, he slept through much of it. That was the main reason why they’d decided she should stay on the island with her family and friends, rather than move to Boston to live with him. He worked so much that she’d spend more time alone there than she did on Gansett.

This time next year, all the sacrifice would pay off. Somehow, she just had to get by until then. Seeing Mac and Maddie, so suddenly and stupidly in love, had made Janey wistful and lonely. Taking the steps to the Beachcomber two at a time, she was glad she’d decided to stay out for a while. Before she walked into the bar, she called Mac’s phone and let it ring once as requested so he wouldn’t come hunt her down.

At the far side of the bar, Joe Cantrell nursed a beer and flirted with the bartender.

Thrilled to see him, Janey snuck up behind him and covered his eyes with her hands.

“Who goes there?” he said.

“Guess.”

“Hmmm, smells like Mac McCarthy’s bratty little sister to me.”

“I’ve never been able to fool you!” Janey planted a kiss on Joe’s cheek and smiled when he flushed with embarrassment. He was such a mush and one of her all-time favorite people. “What does Mac McCarthy’s little sister smell like anyway?”

“Sunshine and wildflowers,” he said, startling her.

Janey swallowed hard. “Is that so?”

Realizing she no longer had Joe’s attention, the bartender stalked off to wait on other customers without taking Janey’s order.

“Yep,” Joe said. “What’re you doing out running the streets so late? Isn’t it past your curfew?”

Janey rolled her eyes at him. “I just babysat for Mac’s girlfriend, Maddie, so they could go out.”

“That seems to be getting serious. I’ve seen him out with the baby every morning this week.”

“He’s crazy about them both.”

Joe chuckled. “Hard to believe.”

“No kidding, but he seems really happy. I love seeing him all befuddled by a woman. It’s high time.” Taking a handful of pretzels from the bowl on the bar, she popped one into her mouth. “What’re you doing here? This isn’t one of your usual island nights.”

He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Got my schedule memorized?”