She cleared her throat and sat up straight. “I, um, hope you don’t mind. The pot was ready, so I turned it on.”
Sky couldn’t look at her as she grabbed a cup. “Good. Now I don’t have to wait for it.”
She filled her cup and faced her guest, unsure of what to say.
“I have to thank you. Again,” said Anna. “I don’t know that I could be as gracious under the circumstances.”
She shrugged. “No big deal, but you’re welcome.”
Anna gave a light scoff. “I’m a total stranger who put you in the middle of an unmitigated mess. Not to mention causing problems for your date.”
Sky grinned, tried to make light of the situation. “Well, when you put it that way…”
Anna twirled the cup in front of her, and Sky noted the dark circles under her eyes, the strain in her face. “Did you sleep all right?” Immediately, heat crept up her neck as she contemplated one of the possible reasons for her sleepless night. “Was the bed comfortable?”
Anna nodded but didn’t look up. “Max is a great guy and a good friend. That’s all. We knew each other in high school and haven’t been in touch in years.”
“I know.” Sky stopped herself from asking questions she might not want to know the answers to.
Anna continued to stare at her cup. “I will say, though, when I found out where Logan was and that he’d talked to Max…” She looked up and watched Sky closely as she continued. “I wondered what would happen.”
Before Sky could speak, her houseguest continued. “He was my knight in shining armor back then, my best friend.” She nibbled her lower lip. “I wasn’t sure how it would be to see him again. I mean, we’re not kids anymore, and I shouldn’t have to depend on him to drag my butt out of the fire again. But he’s nothing if not loyal to his friends.” She paused. “When I saw y’all at the diner, I knew right away.”
Sky gulped her coffee, flinching when the hot liquid burned her tongue.
“A blind person could see he’s crazy about you.”
Embarrassed, Sky could only nod. “The feeling is mutual.”
For the first time since Sky walked in the room, Anna smiled. “I gathered that last night.”
Coffee sloshed all over the table, and Sky’s face burned like fire.
“I’m so sorry,” offered Anna as she yanked a paper towel off the roll on the table. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I—I said it before I thought.”
It took a moment, but Sky managed a reply. “Yeah, well, that’s the elephant in the room.”
“You’ve been beyond kind to me,” said Anna sincerely. “And I repay that by embarrassing you. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine. Really.” Sky tossed the wet towels in the trash and refilled her cup. “Refill?”
“I’m good. Thanks.” Anna cleared her throat. “So, about the other elephant in the room.”
Sky looked at her.
“Max is not Logan’s father.”
That was unexpected. She returned the pot to the coffee maker, trying to keep the surprise from showing in her voice. “I know. He told me.”
There was a slight pause before Anna spoke again. “Did he…did he tell you who is?”
Sky resumed her seat at the table. “No. Said it wasn’t his story to tell.” Sky debated saying more. What the hell. “I have my suspicions, though.”
Silent, Anna looked up, eyes probing.
Sky blurted out, “Cade.”
Anna’s face lost all color, and she squeezed her eyes shut. “How…what?”
“I just put some bits and pieces together.” She left it at that for now.
“Max said they met at the diner. Cade and Logan.”
“Briefly. Cade overheard Logan ask about his father but barely even glanced his way. He was more interested in implying it was Max.”
Deflated, Anna sank back in her chair.
Curiosity got the best of Sky. “Why does Cade dislike him so? Max claims he doesn’t need a reason to hate, but it has to be more than that.”
“You mean more than me?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t—” Sky fumbled for words.
“With the clarity of adulthood, Cade was jealous of Max from day one.”
Dumbfounded, Sky sat back in her chair. “Jealous?”
She nodded. “Max was smarter, better looking if a bit skinny. He had this air about him, even back then.”
