“What can I do for you?” She walked to the sleeping porch and stared out over the dimming sun and toward the wreck, which was vanishing into the sand.

“I heard you left Vincenzo’s. That Gino was a fool to let you go.”

She let the comment pass. “You didn’t call me to hear restaurant gossip this close to the dinner rush.”

The background clatter eased, and she pictured him slipping into a side office. “Come work for me,” he said.

“You?”

“You would be my sous chef, and if all goes as I’m hoping, you’ll be chef in this kitchen in a year.”

“Where are you going?”

“Opening a second location.”

“Congratulations.”

“Say yes,” he said.

The breeze caressed her face. “Email me details,” she said.

“I’ll do it right now.”

“I’m not making any promises.”

“But you’re listening to me. That’s all I need for now.”

She ended the call, trying to reimagine her life back in New York. With the sale from the cottage, she could get a better place, closer to work, and she wouldn’t be worried about always making her monthly bills. It would be a different, better experience.

The doorbell rang, and she closed the doors to the porch and moved toward the front. Dalton was standing on her front porch; the lines in his face were etched deep in a way she’d not seen before. “Want to come inside?”

“Yeah.”

He passed by her, petted Libby on the head when she came up to greet him, and then sat at the kitchen counter. “I’m sorry about what Dani said.”

“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt.”

“I know. Dani is stubborn as hell, and when she’s backed into a corner, she comes out swinging.”

Ivy folded her arms over her chest. “Did she tell you?”

“About losing her sight. She did. And thanks for driving her to Norfolk. I should have been the one to do it.”

“I didn’t mind.” She set up the coffeepot to brew. “Where does she go from here?”

“She’s not going anywhere. She’s staying in her house. Living her life, and when her vision dims to the point of not being able to drive, she’ll figure something else out.”

“She’s got to be freaking out.”

“She is. The steadier and more determined she is, the more afraid she is. She was like that when she was pregnant with Bella. Dressed up every day, always had a smile on her face, and never faltered. I can’t tell you how many times she bit my head off.”

“What’s next?” Ivy asked.

“One foot in front of the other, just like when Mom died and Dani got pregnant. Life goes on.”

“Have you told your dad?”