“Now that Macon’s gone you can tell me what’s really going on with you.” I’d found Maddy holding onto to the sink in the bathroom like it was a life line. I was pretty sure she’d just been sick. I’d held my tongue until Macon had disappeared from view.

She didn’t reply at first. I set aside my drink. I wasn’t having another because I had to drive home.

Maddy understood without me telling her. She was like that, always anticipating someone’s needs. “Want a soda or something?”

“How about a water?”

“I think I can manage that.” She filled a glass from a bottle of water and set it down in front of me.

“Don’t think that getting me water gets you out of talking to me.”

“No, but they do.” She nodded toward a group of women heading over to the bar. They looked to be in their thirties. It was probably a girls-weekend group.

“Fine, but you’re telling me eventually.” I didn’t know Maddy that well, but I knew her well enough to care. I also had a feeling whatever was up involved my brother. Considering he was the only member of the family I was on speaking terms with, I needed to do what I could to help.

“What can I get you?” Maddy snapped back into bartender mode, and I watched. Maybe she’d be able to get me a job at the Grille too. If I was really going to be staying around I’d need one. She hadn’t said anything about me hanging out with Macon yet. I hoped that meant she didn’t care. I wasn’t dumb enough to let something actually happen between us, he had player written all over him, but hanging out could be fun. It had been awhile since I’d been out with a guy, and I’d never been out with one as gorgeous as Macon. Those blue eyes of his were hypnotizing.

“Hey, beautiful night isn’t it?”

I turned to see a guy that looked to be in his late twenties sitting next to me. “Yeah. It’s pretty.”

“It’s the kind of night where you just want to go for a walk and get lost on the beach.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” I swirled around the straw in my water.

He leaned in toward me. “So what do you say? Want to join me?”

Seriously? Like I was just going to walk off with a perfect stranger? “I’m going to pass, but thanks.” I turned away and caught Maddy’s eye.

By the time I turned back the stool was empty.

Maddy laughed. “Colin can stop worrying about you. You can handle men.”

“So can you.” I tugged down on my dress a little. I wasn’t in the mood to attract any more attention. “I lost count of how many guys hit on you tonight.”

She laughed. “What can I say? It’s an art and part of the job.”

“I need to learn from you. You have so much confidence. It’s crazy.”

“Only behind the bar. It’s like I can handle anything back here.”

“Do you think I could learn?”

“To bartend?” She wiped down the counter. “Yeah, of course.”

“Maybe I’ll take some lessons from you sometime.”

“Sure, anytime.” She turned away as another crowd walked up to bar. I definitely now understood how she could make so much in tips. The patio was packed.

I felt someone tug on my ponytail and knew exactly who it was. “Finally done with work?”

Colin took a seat in the stool vacated by creepy beach walk guy. “Yeah, I figured I’d check and see how you girls were doing.”

“Maddy’s pretty busy.” I looked over to where she was balancing some glasses.

He watched her, his eyes following her every move. “She seems to like busy.”

“Not like anyone else I know.”

He laughed. “We do have a lot in common.”

“She’s kind of perfect for you.”

“I’m glad you think so.” He smiled as Maddy waved. She was busy serving customers, but no one could have missed the expression of excitement that crossed her face when she saw him.

“Is there a particular reason why?”

“I’ll show you when I get the chance.”

“Are you trying to be mysterious?”

“Maybe.” He grinned before turning his eyes right back to Maddy.

“Hey!” Maddy practically skipped over. “Sorry it took me so long.”

“That’s okay. I’ll just complain to your boss about the service.” He grinned like a love-sick puppy. If it were over any other girl I probably would have gagged, but I could handle it with Maddy.

“Oh yeah? I wasn’t aware you needed to be served.”

Putting up with the love sick routine was one thing, but sexual innuendoes were another. “Don’t answer that with me around.”

They both laughed.

“I’m probably going to be stuck here really late tonight. I feel bad that you’ll both be sitting here the whole time.”

“Why?” Colin answered immediately. “What else would we be doing?”

“Something more fun than this.” She gestured to the tiki bar.

“We’re fine, but I wouldn’t mind a Manhattan.”

A small smile spread across her face, and I had a feeling I was missing an inside joke.

“Coming right up.” Maddy set to work making his drink, peeking back at him over her shoulder a few times. Sometimes she appeared just as love sick as him, but other times she seemed to be holding back.

Maddy set the brown colored drink down in front of Colin before rushing off to help someone else. I picked it up and took a sip before he could.

“Ugh. You actually like this?”

He sipped it and smiled. “Yes. I take it it’s not your drink?”

I laughed. “Not my drink? You sound like Maddy.”

“I do, don’t I?” He sat and sipped his drink for a while, but Maddy never even made it back over to us. “Want to run by the house with me really quick? We can drop off one of the cars and come back.”

His suggestion surprised me. I kind of got the feeling he showed up at Maddy’s work because he liked to make sure guys were keeping their distance. “Sure, I don’t think she’ll mind.”

He walked around to the other side of the bar and got her attention. I couldn’t hear the exchange, but I did notice the small kiss they shared when she leaned over the bar.

He joined me, and I rolled my eyes, pretending to find it offensive.

“Come on, I don’t want to be gone for too long.” He quickened his pace and headed for the entrance. Once outside I unlocked my car.

“See you at the house.” My car was parked in a front spot, and his was around the side.

“See ya.”

I made it back to Colin’s place first, but he pulled in seconds later. I waited for him to unlock the door, and I followed him in.

“So what’s going on? The suspense is killing me.”

“Wait here.” He took off up the stairs, and I waited impatiently. I had a feeling I knew what he wanted to show me, but I wouldn’t believe it unless I saw it with my own eyes.

He came back down with a huge grin. “How’d I do?” He held out a black jewelry box. I took it from him and opened the lid.

“Oh my God, Colin. Look at the size of that rock!” I was holding a princess cut solitaire ring that had to be two carats or more.

“Do you think she’ll like it? I went simple, because that seems like what she’d want.”

“Simple? This isn’t simple. It’s huge.”

“Yes…but a simple setting.” He shifted nervously.

I needed to put him at ease. “I’m sure she’ll love it, but you didn’t consider getting her involved in the shopping? Some girls like to pick out their own ring.”

A look of fear swept over him. “Really? I thought she’d want a surprise.”

I put a hand on his arm. “I’m sure she’ll love the surprise. I guess I’m just surprised you bought it already. Have you guys at least talked about marriage?”

“Not in those words exactly.”

“Um, what does that mean?” I was getting nervous. Colin was the cool and collected one of the family. He never did anything without planning it down to the last detail. Somehow I doubted he had in this case.

“It means I haven’t actually come out and said, ‘hey, let’s get married,’ but I did ask her to move in with me and she knows I view this as a long term relationship.”

“Colin,” I groaned. “That does not mean you’ve discussed marriage.”

“So you’re saying I have to actually tell her I want to marry her before I ask her?”

“No. I’m just saying Maddy’s like you. She thinks things out. She’s scientific. Do you really want to spring a question on her without giving her time to warm up to it?”

“Warm up to it?” He grabbed the ring back and gave it one long look before closing the box. “I’m asking my girlfriend to marry me, not wash my car. It’s a good thing.”

“Of course it’s a good thing.” I didn’t want to completely back pedal but I definitely needed to tread carefully. “How are you going to do it?”

“That’s where I need you.”

“You need me how?” I took a seat on the arm of the couch.

“To help me execute my plan, but that has to wait. I’m going up to see her parents and ask her dad’s permission first.”

“You’re going the old fashioned route, huh?” I wasn’t remotely surprised. Colin was that way. He liked to play by the rules.

“Yes. I know she doesn’t talk to them often, but she cares about their opinion.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I think it’s a good idea.” I shuddered at the thought of a guy asking my parents for permission, but I understood why he was doing it.

“I can’t tell her I’m going though.”

“Because it would ruin the surprise.”

He started toward the stairs. “Exactly. I’m going to put this away, and then I’m going to head back to the Grille. Are you in?”

“I think I’ll stay here. I’m exhausted. Maddy won’t care, will she?”

He smiled. “Wow, you’re going to sleep before me. Never thought I’d see that day.”

I got up. “Tell Maddy good night for me.”

“I will, but Carly?”

“Yeah?” I stopped halfway down the hall.

“Despite what I might say, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

I walked over and hugged him. “I knew you did.”