He’d been on the phone with her for five minutes, and he was already grinning like a loon. “Can I come over later?”

“Sure, but I’ll warn you, I may have the flu, and there’s not going to be any ‘other stuff.’”

“Are you sore?”

“That might not be a good enough word for what I am.”

“I know just the thing to fix you right up.”

“Not. Happening.”

Chuckling, he said, “What’re your flu symptoms?”

“Complete lack of interest in anything resembling food, general lethargy and a possible fever.”

“Ugh, a fever in this heat?”

“I know. It’s a drag.”

“I’ll come over when I can bust free here. Not sure what time it’ll be.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I was supposed to get together with my friends, but I already called to tell them I’m staying home. If it is the flu, they don’t need it—and neither do you, for that matter.”

“The way I see it, I’ve already been extremely well exposed to whatever’s ailing you, so there’s no reason for you to be miserable alone.”

“I suppose you have a point.”

“Mmm, yes, I do, and he’d really like to see you again.”

“Alex! Oh my God! You’re like a fifteen-year-old boy!”

“I know, right? I didn’t hear you complaining about my stamina last night.”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“I’ll be over when I can.”

“I’ll leave the door unlocked for you.”

“Jenny…”

“Yes?”

“I can’t wait to see you.” He ended the call before she could reply. Let her think about that until he saw her again. As he closed his eyes to take a quick nap, he smiled at the thought of seeing her soon. He really couldn’t wait.

***

Maddie was frightfully late to the gathering at Syd’s house to plan Tiffany’s shower, but she had a good excuse. She and Mac had run away together for the afternoon, since his parents had the kids, and they had a rare opportunity to spend some time alone. Hours after she’d gotten the happy news from Victoria, Maddie still wasn’t sure if she should tell her friends or hold off because of Sydney’s situation.

She hadn’t resolved the internal debate when she gave a quick knock on Syd’s door and stepped into the house. “Hello?”

“Out here,” Sydney called from the back deck.

Maddie went through the kitchen to the sliding door.

“Grab a glass of wine and come on out,” Sydney said. “We found a breeze.”

“If you can call it that,” Stephanie muttered. She was fanning herself with the latest issue of the Gansett Gazette.