I bit back a chuckle. She’d called Anchor Island, “that island of yours,” since I’d first moved here years ago, as if I owned the whole thing. I think she hoped it was simply a toy I’d pick up and put down, but it wasn’t. The small isle had become my refuge. “Things are great. I’m just headed back to the office from an appointment.”

“Business is good?”

When I’d announced my plans to move to Anchor to set up shop on the island, my mother had begged and pleaded for me not to. She’d told me if I needed a vacation spot, to go to Martha’s Vineyard or the Hamptons. Only the best for Georgina McCoy’s son. She had not been pleased when I’d gone west anyway.

“Everything’s steady.” There was only one other law office on the island, but the guy who ran it was a bit of a snob. So, slowly but steadily, I’d eaten away at more and more of his business.

“That’s good.” Her tone sounded as if she thought it was a fate worse than death.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “How are things in Boston?”

“We’re on the Vineyard this week, actually. Your father got a couple of days off.”

“That’s great. Hope you guys get some good weather.” I didn’t know why I shared the sentiment, it wasn’t like my mother went for long walks on the beach. She might deign to play a game of tennis or join my father on the golf course, but sand was a no-go zone for her.

“I’m sure we will. Look, I’m actually calling for a purpose.”

That pressure at my temples intensified, building in a steady beat behind my skull. “All right.”

“I ran into Alicia in town.”

My hold on the wheel tightened. “I don’t need to hear about her.”

“She and Brent broke up. She asked after you, so I passed along your new number.”

I let out a slew of curses under my breath. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“She made a mistake, Crosby. None of us is perfect. Surely, you don’t claim to be.”

A mistake was a single lapse in judgement. It wasn’t a two-year affair while my ring had been on the woman’s finger. “Then you go ahead and spend lots of quality time with Alicia. I’ll be passing on that.” It also meant that I’d likely have to change my phone number. “I’ve got to go, Mom. I’m at the office.”