Aggie’s stomach protested. One month. It didn’t seem like enough time for her to psych herself up.
Not for something so monumental.
Bradley leaned forward on the table and peered at her from under his bushy eyebrows. “Are you okay, dear girl? You’ve gone very pale.”
“I’m fine.”
He raised an eyebrow as if he didn’t believe her.
She dropped the bone on her plate and sucked her fingers clean, trying to come up with something he’d believe. No point giving the island psychologist a line she couldn’t back up. Bradley had never let her off easy. Coming up with the right excuse where he was concerned was vital.
“How long has it been since you’ve seen me in a dress?” she asked, her tone weak.
Her father spoke up. “I can tell you exactly how long. Last time I saw you in Seattle. Remember when I took you to dinner at the fancy restaurant near the wharf? Since you’ve been home, you’ve stuck to pants or shorts. I often wondered why because you look lovely in a dress. Pretty, just like your mom.”
Sudden tears clogged Aggie’s throat and she jumped up, dropped her plate in the sink, and bolted out of the house, ignoring her father calling her. She jogged down the hill and across the road, and headed for the stretch of beach that ran around the bay, her feet pounding in the damp sand. The last thing she wanted to do was look pretty. That was what got her into trouble in the first place.
* * *
Drew poked his head through Liam’s office door in between patients. “Did you get ahold of Aggie? I booked a table for seven thirty. That okay for you?”
“Yes, all organized. Where are we eating?”
“Boat Club, on the deck if it’s not too cold. We can decide when we get there.”
“Sounds good.”
When Liam pulled up at the house that night to pick her up, Aggie came down the stairs before he could get out of his car. She slid into the front seat and reached for her seat belt, her perfume bathing the inside of the car. “I could’ve driven myself, Liam.”
“I know, but I wanted to pick you up. Is that so bad?”
She glanced at him, and he had trouble reading her face in the dim light. “No. And I’m sorry to sound bitchy. Lots going on right now. It’s nice of you to bother. Thank you.”
He put the car into gear and drove down toward the harbor. “You’re more than welcome. I was already out and about anyway. Training night, remember? I go a couple of times a week and spar with Ben when he’s not working.”
“I remember.” Aggie tried to smile.
“Besides, we’re friends, Aggie. It’s what friends do for each other.” He drove quietly for the few minutes it took them to reach the marina.
Liam pulled into the parking lot and slid the car into a vacant spot by the front door, glancing around. Here was his first opportunity in ages to have a one-on-one conversation with her. “I don’t see Drew’s car. It’ll give us time for a drink on the deck without him being his usual bossy self. You can tell me how the bakery biz is going. Let’s go.”
He got out and strode around to open her door before she could do it for herself. Liam offered her his hand, and after a slight pause, Aggie reached up and let him help her. When she got out of the car, she smoothed down her trousers and gripped her purse with both hands, leaving him no opportunity to hold onto her as they walked into the Boat Club.
They paused at the entry and waited for staff. “Table for four, for Hope. We’ll have a drink outside first though. Thanks.”
“Got you.” The maître d’ ticked off their names on his list. “We put you inside because the wind is supposed to pick up tonight.”
“Thanks. The others should be here shortly.” They walked over to the bar. “What can I get you?”
“A Highland single malt on the rocks, please.” Aggie stepped away from him and made her way slowly to the doors to the deck. By the time Liam had the drinks, she was already outside, leaning on the balcony, staring over the ocean.
He placed her drink on the top rail. “Here you go. Cheers.”
Aggie took the glass and thanked him. “Cheers.” She took a healthy swig of her drink and her shoulders relaxed.
“How’s work going? Still churning out that delectable sourdough of yours?”
The shock on her face surprised him. Seems she didn’t know that he made bi-weekly visits to the bakery to get his bread, hoping that one day he’d run into her. She was never there when he finished work, which was too bad.
“Yeah. Don’t tell me you buy it?”
He shrugged. “Why not? It’s fabulous. As is all your baking. Goodness knows we get plenty of it via April, and I’m certainly not complaining. Plus, I like to support the local island economy.”
“Thanks.” She sipped at her drink, avoiding meeting his gaze.
“I haven’t seen much of you lately. Are you okay, Aggie?”
Her back stiffened. Of course he’d said the wrong thing, and they hadn’t even started dinner yet. It promised to be a great evening if he didn’t find the right words to say. “I’d hate to think you were working too hard. Starting your day when everyone else is heading for bed must be hard sometimes.”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay then.” He watched a car turn into the parking lot. “Drew and April are here.”
She didn’t respond but her shoulders relaxed again.
Moments later, their dinner companions walked out onto the deck. “There you are.” April gave Aggie a hug, and Drew followed suit. “Brat. How are you?”
“Fine. What is it with everyone today? Did I miss something?”
Drew shook his head. “What do you
