Page 18 of The Handy Men
"Her name was Stephanie. I don't think you ever met her."
"No, I mean who dated her? Jack or Dean?"
"Both of them. At the same time."
"What?” The bags slipped out of her fingers and the jar candles smashed on the ground. "Oh shit."
"You should have gotten tapers," Caillie said.
"Were they seriously dating?"
Caillie looked around to make sure no one was listening. "I'll say. Until she got pregnant. She wanted Dean to marry her. But he wouldn't. He married Jack instead."
Paige wasn't sure her legs would support her if she received any more shocks. "Where is she now?"
"She left the island. I haven't seen her in two years. Her parents, though, live on a sailboat half of the year, but the other half they live in the big house on Dune Street. You might run into them over the summer. They should be coming back any time now."
"What about the baby?"
Caillie shrugged. "Haven't heard from Stephanie since she left. Her parents had pictures of the child, but they never said who the father was."
"I can't believe it." Paige shook her head.
"So, with all the times the two of you spent together, they didn't once come on to you?"
Thinking back on the little kisses and caresses, Paige sighed. Those were more affectionate rather than the boys trying to escalate a situation. Still, her heart wouldn't slow down at the thought that it was possible. "Maybe they don't do that now because they're married."
"Maybe," Caillie said, sounding disappointed. "I guess it's for the best. You don't want any type of scandal or gossip marring your opening day."
Frankly, Paige didn't think sex with consenting adults could be a deal breaker for people who wanted a nice place to stay on the shore. If her blueberry pancakes weren't up to snuff or if the beds were lumpy, now those would be a problem. "Why would anyone care?"
"People around here would care. You want to stop getting the freshest fish?”
Paige balked. “The fishermen wouldn’t sell to me if they didn’t approve of who I was dating?”
Caillie snorted. "They're the least of your worries. People eat up these little details. Do you want your private life on social media?"
"No, of course not. But I still don't think anyone would choose where to stay on their vacation based on my sex life." Or lack thereof.
"You'd be surprised. If you want to attract families, your reputation has to be pristine."
It was like talking to her mother.
"Not to mention your mother would be mortified." Caillie trilled a little laugh.
"I try to avoid discussing my sex life with"—anyone—"my mother," Paige substituted.
"Have you spoken to her today? She and I had a lovely conversation last night."
Forcing her eyes not to roll, Paige could only imagine what was discussed. It probably had to do with how she hadn't worked hard enough to hold on to her ex-husband.
"Not yet," Paige said between her teeth, and then forced her grimace into a tight smile. "Why?"
"I asked her when she was coming down to visit, and she said you hadn't gotten back to her yet."
"I'm still booking last minute reservations," Paige said, backing up. "I should really get those tapers."
"You do that." Caillie waved. "And don't forget to call her. I'm looking forward to seeing your parents again."
