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.”

“Oh, God,” Linda whispered.

“What, hon?” Big Mac asked, his brows knitted with concern.

“Maddie.”

“What about her?” Mac asked, suddenly on full alert.

“She went to the marina to see you. Right around then. You didn’t talk to her?”

“I never saw her.” Mac groaned, remembering Roseanne’s enthusiastic greeting. He pushed back from the table. “Why was she coming?”

“I think she might be ready to talk to you. About what happened.”

“Oh no,” Big Mac said, stricken. “Roseanne was quite happy to see him.”

“I’ve got to go,” Mac said. “I’m sorry, Mom. Thanks for dinner.”

Linda tipped her face to receive his kiss. “Go, honey. Find her.”

Mac cursed his crappy luck. What were the odds of Maddie finally deciding to come talk to him just as Roseanne wrapped herself around him? Banging his fist on the steering wheel, he let out a string of swears.

He pulled into Tiffany’s driveway for the first time in weeks, his heart racing with hope and fear. What would he do if she wouldn’t let him explain?

Maddie was sitting at the top of the stairs. Startled by his sudden appearance, she stood up to go inside.

“Wait!” Mac leapt from the truck and ran up the stairs. “Listen to me! She means nothing to me! She never did.”

“I know what I saw.”