“You, too.” Maddie had hair and eyes the color of caramel and a figure that resembled a pinup girl. “You look so good! When are you due?”

“Not until November, if I don’t explode before then.” She tugged on a lock of Sydney’s hair. “I love it shorter.”

“Thanks. It’s much easier at this length.” Sydney appreciated that Maddie didn’t lead with the grief. She’d received her friend’s cards and letters, and contacting her this summer had been at the top of Syd’s to-do list. “I’m sorry I didn’t call last summer.”

“No apologies necessary.” Maddie waved her hand. “But I heard you were back, and I had to see you. I hope it’s okay that I just showed up.”

“Of course it is!” Sydney linked her arm through Maddie’s and led her inside. Buddy followed close on their heels. “Can I get you a drink? I’m sure I have something that’s caffeine free.”

“Ice water would be great.”

Sydney introduced Maddie to Buddy, fixed the water and a diet cola for herself and led Maddie to the back porch. “Tell me everything! I heard you married Mac McCarthy of all people—only the island’s most eligible bachelor. You devil! Do tell!”

Maddie’s face turned bright pink the way it used to when Sydney would whisper to her about having sex with Luke on the beach. Some things, it seemed, never changed. She and Maddie had scooped ice cream together for three summers and had formed a tight bond, even though Sydney was a few years older. Before the accident, Syd had made it a point to see Maddie every summer when she brought the kids to the island to visit their grandparents.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the story.”

Syd smiled. “Not from you.”

“Well, Mac had just arrived from Florida for a visit with his parents. He stepped off the curb on Main Street, and I crashed right into him on my bike.”

“I heard you got the worst of the injuries.”

“Ugh, I was a scabby mess for weeks. While I recovered, he took care of me and Thomas—he was just nine months then—and he’s been taking care of us ever since.”

“So I see,” Sydney said, raising an eyebrow and nodding to Maddie’s rounded belly.

Maddie giggled. “He’s so amazing. I’d love for you to meet him.”

“I knew him way back when. I’d see him around the marina when I met Luke there. If I remember correctly, he was quite handsome.”

“He’s even more so now.”

“I thought the same about Luke when I saw him last night. Amazing how the men out here age so well.”

Maddie’s mouth fell open. “You saw Luke? Where?”

“Right here.” She filled Maddie in on Luke’s “visits.”