“Why did you stop coming?” Annie asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. We just got so busy. And spare time was spent taking care of our home, we didn’t make time for out here.”
“That pier should have been replaced years ago,” Dave said. “I wonder why Matt never said anything.”
“You know how Matt was,” Loraine said. “Jordan can attest to that. The house was a wreck.”
“Housekeeping wasn’t his strong suit,” Jordan agreed.
“Had you been out here, Annie?” Loraine asked.
She nodded. “A couple of times,” she said. “The last two summers, Matt would have an office party out here.”
“Yeah, she’s trying to talk me into having one too,” Jordan said. “Annie thinks they might like me better if I do.”
Loraine frowned. “Why don’t they like you?”
Annie gave a quick laugh. “Because she has rules that Matt never did.”
“Yeah, like showing up to work on time,” Jordan said.
“So? Business has been good?” Dave asked.
Jordan shrugged. “I guess. Annie would know better than me. I’m not sure what summer crowds are supposed to be like.”
Annie nodded. “Yes, it’s been good.” She turned to Jordan. “Which reminds me, we need to order some more Fat Larry T-shirts. Brandon said he gave out a lot of them yesterday.”
“If we give out free T-shirts, doesn’t that deter customers from buying them?” Loraine asked.
“Matt said it put them in a good mood and then they were more apt to buy something than not,” Annie said. “Not sure if that was just his opinion or an actual marketing strategy,” she added.
“It seems to work,” Dave said. “I love seeing those T-shirts around town.”
“We’ve got a new design,” Jordan offered. “Fat Larry is still the same, of course, but with a new background.”
Annie noticed the expression on Loraine’s face and quickly added, “I think you’ll love it. I know Matt would have.”
Jordan gave her a nod and a subtle smile—a silent thank-you.
Loraine’s expression softened a bit. “I know we said for you to run the store as you wanted,” she said. “I just don’t want to change up too much. Matt had everything running smoothly.”
“I’m not changing stuff, Mom. A few tweaks here and there, that’s all.”
“She can handle it,” Dave said. “I have to agree. Matt was a little lax sometimes with his employees. There has to be accountability. You know that from the restaurant.”
Loraine nodded but didn’t reply. There seemed to be a little tension in the air, and Annie assumed it was because they were discussing Matt as much as they were.
“I should get the steaks going,” Jordan said. “Want another beer, Dad?”
“Thanks.”
“Mom?”
“I’ll take another glass of wine.”
Annie stood quickly. “I’ll get it.”
She followed Jordan back inside, through the living room and into the kitchen. Their eyes met and Annie felt a little relief.
“I guess talking about Matt…”
“Yes, Mom still has her moments. But she’s a lot better.”
“Right before you came in earlier, she asked me if Matt and I were close,” Annie said. “I nearly panicked. Should I lie? Should I tell her we were dating?”
“I don’t think you have to lie, Annie.”
“So I either lie to her or she thinks I’m a slut.” She covered her face with her hands. “God, she’s going to hate me.”
She felt Jordan move closer, and she let her take her hands from her face.
“It’ll be okay.”
“You keep saying that. I’m not sure I believe you.”
Jordan’s fingers tightened around her own. “Trust me.”
Annie nodded. “I will. But there’s no easy way to tell them. Before dinner? During? After? Regardless of when, it’ll still ruin dinner.”
Jordan smiled at her. “Let’s make it after dinner. Don’t want to waste those expensive fillets.”
Chapter Eighteen
For all her brave words, Jordan was actually nervous. Of course, she knew Annie was as well. They’d had a nice dinner with pleasant conversation, and she and her mother had finished off the bottle of wine. She could tell by her father’s demeanor that he was now ready to go home. She glanced over at Annie and raised her eyebrows. In return, Annie blew out a nervous breath and nodded. But before Annie could speak, Jordan decided to take the lead.
“Mom…Dad…there’s something we need to tell you,” she said. “Well, Annie…but still.”
Her mother frowned and glanced between the two of them. “What’s wrong?”
Annie stood up, twisting her hands together nervously. “There’s no easy way,” she said. “And I so wish there was.”
“Okay, girls, you’re scaring me,” her mother said. “What is it?”
Annie looked over at her and Jordan nodded.
“As you know, I’m pregnant,” Annie said. “What you don’t know is that…Matt is the father.”
Her mother’s face turned ashen. “What?”
“I’m so sorry,” Annie said immediately.
Jordan stood up. “Don’t say you’re sorry,” she said. “It took two. It wasn’t just you.”
Her mother held both hands up. “Okay…stop. Now…what?”
Jordan walked in front of her mother. “Annie and Matt…were…”
“Dating?”
“Not exactly,” Annie said.
“Then what?”
“Mom…let’s don’t go into details,” Jordan said.
“Of course I want details,” she said. “You’re telling me that Matt fathered a child?”
“I know you’ll want to do paternity tests and all,” Annie said. “And that’s fine. I just thought you should know.”
Her mother leaned back in her chair. “You’re pregnant with Matt’s baby?”
Annie nodded. “Yes.”
Her mother turned her gaze to Jordan. “And you knew?”
Jordan nodded. “Yes. She told me a few weeks ago.”
Her mother looked back at Annie. “I had no idea that you two were involved. I mean, I’m glad to know that he had someone, but I wish he’d shared that with me.”
Annie looked at her helplessly, and Jordan gave a slight shrug. Was it so bad to let her mother think that Matt had a love in his life?
Her father finally stirred and she recognized the shock on his face. Shock…and something else.
“Matt’s baby?”
Annie simply nodded and that nod brought a smile to her father’s face. “Wow,” was all he said.
Her mother got up and went to Annie, wrapping her arms around her. Annie looked at Jordan over her mother’s shoulder and Jordan saw the relieved look in her eyes. She smiled at her and Annie seemed to relax into her mother’s hug.
“A baby,” her mother said. “We’re going to have a baby.” She pulled away from Annie, her smile big. “That’s wonderful news, dear. We, of course, will help you in any way you need.”
“I’m glad you’re living here with Jordan,” her father said. He looked at her. “You’re not charging her rent, are you?”
“No, Dad.”
Annie held her hands up. “Look, I didn’t tell you this because I wanted anything from you. I don’t. But you deserved to know that Matt…well, that Matt—”
“Annie, it’s only right that we support this child, that we support you,” her mother said.
Jordan stepped forward. “Mom, let’s give it time to sink in, okay. Right now, Annie is fine living here. And there’s a lot of time to go.”
“When are you due?” her mother asked.
“The end of January,” Annie said.
“Matt was born in January.” Tears gathered in her mother’s eyes, and Annie was again engulfed in a hug. “That’s wonderful.” Then she pulled back and studied Annie. “You’re not even showing yet.”
Jordan watched as Annie’s hand went to her abdomen. “My clothes are getting a little tight,” she said.