Page 21 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“I just thought—” Brad stopped. His jaw clenched and he shook his head.
“Thought?” Dawn encouraged him to speak to her.
“That she was different,” Brad admitted.
He turned to look out over the darkening ocean as the sun slipped beyond the horizon, and the night started to sprinkle out its inky carpet of stars. Brad finished his drink as Dawn turned to look at what he was, and they stood in companionable silence. His heart felt like someone was squeezing it as he thought about Caroline. She’d told him she and Jennifer were attending the party. Worry zipped through him as he wondered if something had happened.
Brad was about to send Caroline another message when the photographer he had been dodging since he’d gotten to the party interrupted Brad and Dawn.
“Hi, would you mind if I took a picture of the two of you for Alex and Ethan’s birthday memories?” The photographer asked them.
Dawn and Brad turned toward the man.
“They’re fifty, not twelve,” Brad told the man.
“It’s a milestone birthday.” Dawn laughed at him. “If you remember, their mother insists on their birthday memory photo shoots every five years.”
“I know.” Brad grimaced and gave in. “Sure.”
“Thank you,” the photographer sighed in relief. “The two of you have been the most elusive of this crowd to get photographs of. Would you mind standing a little closer?”
Brad and Dawn moved closer, putting their arms around each other. Dawn rested her head against his chest, and he placed his head on hers, putting on their best smiles before the flashnearly blinded them. The photographer checked the photo, said his thanks, and took another sneaky picture of them before disappearing.
“What’s the bet that picture lands on some tabloid cover in the morning.” Dawn’s eyes flashed angrily before she placed her glass on the tray of a passing server. “And with that, I’m going to call it a day.”
“Can I give you a lift home?” Brad asked.
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that,” Dawn accepted his offer. “Harriet took my car.”
“So, you didn’t follow thegoing out with Harriet rule.” Brad air quoted, laughing as he escorted Dawn out of the party, skillfully avoiding anyone who might detain them.
Brad and Dawn spoke about Cobble Cove Mysteries as they drove into Soho. They passed the Cup of Soho, and Brad swallowed as his heart lurched. He looked at his wristwatch and had to curb the urge to ask his driver to take them to Jennifer’s apartment so he could find Caroline.
“Brad?” Dawn’s voice broke through his thoughts. “This is me.”
Brad’s head shot up. He’d been so lost in his thoughts of Caroline he hadn’t realized the car had stopped. Brad climbed out of the vehicle, helped Dawn out, and walked her to the door of her apartment.
“When did you move to Soho?” Brad asked her as the doorman opened the door for her.
“About two years ago.” Dawn grinned. “You know I always wanted to move here.” She looked up at him. “Thank you for the ride home.”
Dawn leaned forward and kissed his cheek before giving him a hug.
“Of course,” Brad said, sighing as he hugged her back. “I know it’s only an olive branch,” he kissed her head before stepping back, “but I’m glad we’ve started to sort things out.”
“Me too,” Dawn said. “Goodnight, Brad.”
Brad watched Dawn walk into her building before walking back to his car. He stopped before climbing into the back seat. His eyes widened as he realized where he was. Dawn’s apartment was across the road from Caroline’s friend Jennifer’s apartment. Brad was about to throw all reasoning from his thoughts and rush over there, but his phone rang. It was Harriet.
“Hello,” Brad answered. “Is everything alright?”
“No!” Harriet hissed. “What is wrong with you?”
“What do you mean?” Brad asked, a frown creasing his brow.
“Where are you?” Harriet asked him.
“I just gave a friend a lift home,” Brad hedged. “Why?”
