“Why in the world would I be mad when it was my fault in the first place? You were drunk, I was sober, and I forgot the condom. What right did I have to be mad about anything?”

“Still… I didn’t think it was what you wanted.”

“You know how I feel about this island and crazy-ass pregnancies, especially after what just happened with Janey and P.J. That’s the part I was freaked out about. Actually having another baby? Not so much.” The chair rocked slowly under them, stirring the heavy air around them. “Goddamn, it’s hot.”

“So hot. There’s not even the slightest breeze.”

“Supposed to last another couple of days,” Mac said.

“Thank God for central air.”

“I was thinking we ought to shut it off in our room and have sweaty heat-wave sex.”

For the first time in hours, Maddie laughed. “Leave it to you to want that.”

“Come on. You know you want it, too. We can work around the monthly thing.”

“The monthly thing was gone as fast as it came.”

“Wait… so it only lasted a day?”

“Less than, actually.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m overly obsessed with what goes on down there, but doesn’t it usually last a lot longer than that?”

“Yeah. It’s probably the heat or something.”

“Or something.”

“What does that mean?”

“What if you really are pregnant, and the one-day period was a false alarm?”

The possibility hit Maddie like a lightning bolt to the heart. “That doesn’t happen. Does it?”

“Might be time to pee on a stick, my love.”

All of a sudden, tears were flowing down her cheeks in a flood that couldn’t be contained.

“Hmmm, nonstop crying, emotional ups and downs…” Mac cupped her breast, making her startle from the almost shocking sensation that tore through her from the simple caress. “Sensitive breasts… I’m not a detective, but it seems like I might’ve witnessed these signs once before.”

“Don’t get my hopes up. I can’t bear to not be pregnant twice in two days.”

“Tomorrow we’ll buy a test and get an answer.” He kissed her neck and jaw, blazing a trail to her lips. “Since there’s nothing we can do to resolve this dilemma tonight, how about I try to get your mind off it with some sweaty heat-wave sex?”

“That might help as long as you don’t care if I cry the whole time.”

“As long as you’re crying from the pleasure, I’m fine with a few tears.” He kissed her and patted her bottom to get her to stand. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

While he was gone, Maddie leaned against the rail, looking down on the yard as she thought of the possibility Mac had suggested. It was odd for her period to only last a day and not even a full day at that.