Straight Up Love (Boys of Jackson Harbor 2)

t saddled with student loan debt before they even got started.”

“Preach!”

We laugh, and something tugs in my chest—grief for a missed opportunity. Molly and I could have been friends, but I let my own insecurities form a wall between us. I wish I could say it’s the only time in my life I’ve done that, but it seems to be a habit of mine. When I feel unworthy, I push people away. In a way, that’s what I’ve been doing with Jake for years. Maybe I didn’t push him out of my life, but I always put limits on what I believed our relationship could be.

Her phone clatters against the kitchen table as it buzzes, and she grabs it and swipes the screen. “Hello?”

Maybe I should leave the room, but worry creases her features, so I stay.

“How high is it?” She squeezes the locket on her necklace and looks at the ceiling. “Dammit. No, don’t apologize. I understand.” She cuts her gaze to me and then looks at the clock on the stove. “I’m supposed to fly home in the morning, but I’ll see if I can get a red-eye tonight.” She shakes her head. “Don’t. You know I didn’t want to come anyway. The sooner I leave, the better.” She flashes me an apologetic smile, then lowers her voice. “Um . . . I can’t right now? Yeah. I’ll call back when I know something. Yes. You too. Thank you.” She pulls the phone from her ear and ends the call.

“Is everything okay?”

She taps on her phone and nods as she stares at the screen. “My friend’s son is sick, and she has to work. Daycare won’t take him with a fever.” She taps the screen and puts the phone to her ear. “I need to get back.”

I frown. She’s going to get an earlier flight to take care of a friend’s sick kid? “You two must be really close.”

She nods, then turns away as her call connects. “Hello, I need to speak with someone about changing my flight?”

My own phone buzzes in my purse, and I pull it out to see a new text message from Nic.

Nic: Lilly and I are at the store. She wants to know if you prefer your hot chocolate with rainbow marshmallows or jumbo marshmallows.

I grin. Nic is dating Lilly’s dad, and it’s the best thing that ever happened to both the kid and the father. I’ve loved having her in my life too.

Me: Rainbow, obviously.

Nic: Obviously. See you in a couple of hours.

When I slide my phone back into my purse, Molly’s wrapping up her call and some of the tension has left her eyes.

“I’m going to fly home tonight,” she says. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here. One of the reasons I can’t stand coming home is because Dad gets to me. It was a relief to be here and not have to have him judging my every move.”

I grimace. “I always thought you two had such a great relationship. Actually, I was . . . I was always kind of jealous, because he seemed to love you so much more than me.”

Her eyes go wide. “Are you kidding? I could never measure up to his sweet Ava. You were reliable and thoughtful, and most importantly, you didn’t spread your legs for every guy who came around.”

“He said that?”

“Almost verbatim.” She draws in a long breath and exhales slowly. “Anyway, it was a relief not to have to deal with that so much this trip, and with any luck, before I come home again next time, Mom will wake up and leave his drunk ass.”

Maybe it makes me a disloyal daughter, but I hope she’s right. Jill deserves better. “Next time being in another five years or so?”

Laughing, she shrugs. “Maybe. What’s here for me?” She crosses the kitchen and wraps me in a hug. “Thanks again. Good luck with the whole pregnancy thing.”

I give her a quick squeeze and then step back. “Be honest. Do you think I’m crazy?”

“For using your best friend to get a baby you plan to raise on your own? Yeah. I think you’re nuts.” Her expression softens. “But you’re steady, reliable Ava. I’m sure you’ve thought this through.”

“I have. I really have.”

She hoists her purse onto her shoulder. “See? It doesn’t matter what I think.”

I swallow hard. She’s right. It doesn’t matter, but it would feel nice to have a couple more people on my team. “Do you need a ride to the airport?”

“No, I’m going to call Mom and have her drive me. She’ll want a little time with me anyway.”

“Good luck with the new job and everything. Can I call you when Jake and I are in the city this summer?”