(Complete) New Year's Day is a time for resolutions. Jack Harris, still mourning the tragic death of his wife, vows to start living again. Maddie Evans dumps her boyfriend and vows no more meaningless sex.
Jack moves to The Point to live in his pa...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Life changed for Maddie when her parents were home. No longer a single adult living her own life, she was an adult living in her parent's house. With them came their groceries and temptations Maddie had avoided for months. Todd Evans had a sweet tooth and cake, cookies, and candy invaded the pantry. By early May, her goal shorts were still too snug to be comfortable. She would double her efforts and hope they would fit before summer really kicked off.
With spring in bloom, the daylight lasted longer and although it was still cold especially with the ocean breeze, everyone was outside in the evenings. The months of hibernation were over and Maddie often met Jack and the girls at the beach or stopped by when on an evening walk. On weekends when they ran, Jack no longer knocked on the door to come in to wait for her. Maddie met him on the street, because her kitchen wasn't her own.
One Saturday afternoon, Maddie had the day off and she and Rory had spent the better part of it in Portsmouth on Rory's birthday bookstore trip. When they returned, Steve's car was at her house. Rory followed her inside as Maddie asked her mother about the car.
"Steve came by to see us. He's gone to see your father at the market. He'll be here for dinner." Her mother was busy cooking.
"You realize I'm not dating him anymore."
"Yes, you mentioned that," she said, as if it was a minor problem.
Before Maddie could say anything else, Steve walked in. He looked at Maddie and gave a low whistle, "Whoa Maddie! Look at you!" Maddie didn't reply. "Looking forward to catching up over dinner."
"I have other plans for dinner. My friend Rory and I have plans."
"Rory can eat with us," her mother said.
"Sure, I don't mind eating with a kid."
"We have plans with Jack and Emma too."
"There's plenty of food for everyone. It will be a lovely gathering."
Had her mother been into the cooking wine?
"Yeah, fine by me. Have them come too."
Her former boyfriend and the man she secretly dreamed about. Her mother didn't know Maddie spent as much time at Jack's as she did. She also didn't want Jack to see how horrible her last boyfriend was. Remembering, she felt embarrassed to have dated him.
Rory spoke. "We'll go ask."
Maddie followed her out the door and down the street. "Rory, do you want to eat at my house?"
"I don't want you eating with that guy alone."
"Alone, I have my parents." Maddie laughed.
"No, you need us to protect you."
"Let me talk to your dad. Okay?"
Once at home, Rory went to put her new books away. Maddie sat down next to Jack. "Did you girls have fun?"
