The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)

He was standing with Cooper, but he was looking at me.

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sp; His eyes narrowed in thought.

I gave him a flirty smile, and he grinned.

“I miss Coop,” Jess abruptly announced, her eyes still on Tyler and the kids.

“How so?” Bailey frowned.

Jess flicked a look at me. “I’m sure Em knows. I’ve barely seen Cooper for the last month.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “But we knew launching a business would take up a lot of time.”

“We did. And I support them. But if I don’t get my husband back soon, I won’t be happy.”

“Have you spoken to him about it?” Ivy frowned.

“Do you hassle Jeff for working long hours?” Jess asked pointedly.

“No. I knew what I was getting into when I married him.”

“Exactly. You support your spouses in all their endeavors,” she grumbled.

I chuckled at her surliness.

That chuckle was abruptly halted by, “I’m pregnant again. I’m thirty-nine. I had complications with my last pregnancy, and Cooper and I discussed it. Tyler was supposed to be an only child.” Jess cut us a worried look. “He doesn’t know. I’m scared he’ll be mad. And I need him.”

“Oh my goodness, Jess, you need to tell him.” Bailey squeezed her shoulder. “And congratulations.”

We all went to congratulate her, but she hushed us. “He knows something’s up. He’s mad at me for being distant. We had a huge fight this morning in bed.” She buried her face in her hands.

I wanted to speak.

I wanted to offer reassurances.

But I could not believe what I was hearing.

All I could think was … how weirdly in sync we were.

My heart rate increased.

“Uh, Jess …” Ivy tried to warn.

However, having seen his wife looking visibly distressed, Cooper was marching determinedly across the yard in our direction with Jack at his back.

“Ladies,” Coop said as Jess’s head snapped up at his voice, “can you watch the kids for a minute?”

“Of course.”

“Sure.”

“Absolutely.”

Cooper took hold of Jess’s hand, pulling her out of the lounger. They disappeared into the house, hand in hand.

“Where’s Cat?” Bailey asked, trying to defuse the sudden tension and worry among us.