“I’ve been working outside for a change.”

“This is such a. . . cute. . . place. Very eclectic.”

Mac laughed to himself, imagining her reaction if she knew how much the cute little business was worth. “I wish I’d known you were coming. I’m really busy.”

Her face fell. “You’re not happy to see me.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

Mac glanced at the hotel and then at Roseanne, trying to find the words.

“You’ve got someone else.”

He sighed and ran a hand though his hair. “It’s complicated.”

“Actually, it’s quite simple—do you have someone else or don’t you?”

“I do.” Even though he wasn’t with Maddie anymore, his heart belonged to her, and he couldn’t lead Roseanne on.

“Well, that didn’t take long. Are you planning to tell Connor and Tony you’re not coming back?”

“I haven’t decided what I’m doing yet. They’ll be the first to know.”

“And were you going to tell me?”

“I told you before I left—”

“That we were taking a break. You never said we were over.”

“I thought you understood—”

“Will you ask that old man who brought me to take me back to the ferry?”

“I’ll take you.”

She folded her arms and looked away. “I’d rather go with him.”

“Roseanne. . .”

“Will you ask him or shall I?”

When had his life gotten so damned complicated? Mac went over to where his father, Ned and Luke leaned against pilings, watching the show. “Ned, Roseanne can’t stay. Would you mind giving her a ride into town?”

“Boy, ya sure can pick ’em.” Ned chortled.

“Will you take her?” Mac asked through gritted teeth.

“With pleasure.”

“I’m sorry,” Mac said to Roseanne as he helped her into the cab.

She whipped a packet of envelopes out of her oversize purse and shoved it at him. “Here’s your mail. Have a nice life.”

As Ned’s car left the parking lot, Big Mac put a hand on Mac’s shoulder. “Are you all right, son?”

“Yeah.” Mac hated that she’d come so far to be disappointed, but he took comfort in knowing he’d been perfectly clear about where things stood between them before he left Miami.

“Why don’t you come home for dinner tonight?”

Since he had nothing better to do, Mac agreed.

Mac picked at the plate of shrimp scampi, remembering Maddie refusing to order it at Dominic’s because it had too much garlic. They’d had so little time together, but they’d created memories that might have to sustain him for a lifetime. That thought destroyed what was left of his appetite.

“Not hungry, Mac?”

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Mac wiped his mouth and put down his fork. “It’s really good.”

Studying him, she took a sip of wine. “Anything exciting happen today?”

Big Mac chuckled. “Other than Roseanne showing up and shocking the heck out of him?”

Linda froze. “She was here? On the island?”

“Yep,” Big Mac said.

“When?”

“Around two or so, wasn’t it, son?”

Mac shrugged. “I guess.”