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My throat is tight. I have to turn away.

A look passes between Luke and Mia and finally Mia speaks. “Cancer. He’s been in treatment for a while, only they did another scan yesterday.”

“Oh no.” Olivia freezes.

“It’s not terminal,” Luke says quickly. “Well, they’re not saying that yet. They just didn’t get it all with the chemo. They’re goingto have to operate and remove some of his bowel, and there are complications and a longer recovery time. Maybe more chemo.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat, looking down at the bench rather than looking at anyone. “OK.”

“Mum wanted to make sure you knew.”

I feel like a dick now. She was trying to tell me, and I dismissed her call like it didn’t matter. Like she didn’t matter. She’s up in Sydney with Dad having to deal with all this, and I couldn’t even answer her call. “Fuck.”

Luke puts his hand on my arm, and I let him. Still can’t look at him though. “He’ll be OK.”

“He might not.”

“We can’t think like that.” My brother’s words sound so firm. So decided.

I wish I could think like him sometimes. “What are we gonna do?”

“Mia and I are going up to Sydney to be with Mum. Dad is in hospital for three nights. Maybe longer.”

I nod. “Jack will need help at Inlet Views won’t he?” Helping Jack is the last thing I feel like doing right now, but he’s still my brother and it’s really for Mum and Dad.

“Yeah. If you can manage it without killing each other.”

I scowl at my hands. “I’ll manage it. Just warn him not to be an insufferable asshat.”

Luke laughs. “You know he can’t help himself any more than you can.”

That breaks the tension a little bit. They stay until the washing up is done and then leave after hugs and more reassurances I can’t quite buy.

When I close the door behind them, Olivia slips her hand into mine. “What can I do?”

God, I choke up all over again and have to pull her into a hug and breathe into her hair for a moment just to stop myself from crying.

“I’m going to call Mum,” I tell her, not letting go. “Stay?”

“I’ll stay as long as you want,” she whispers against my chest.

TWENTY ONE

Olivia

Noah doesn’t even work that day. I know that’s a big deal. Especially with how long he spends on the phone with his sous chef. By the time the call is done, he’s pacing the kitchen, running his hand through his hair until it’s wild. Unable to do anything else, I go to him and wrap my arms around him. I expect him to complain or push me away, but instead, he holds me close and presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“I better go talk to Jack.” There’s a pause. He still hasn’t let me go. “Can I ask you for something else?”

“Of course.”

“Will you come with me? The last thing I need right now is to lose my temper, and I’ll have a better shot at that if you’re there. Don’t ask me to explain it cause I can’t, but that’s the truth.”

My belly is alive with little flutters, but I just give him a squeeze. “I’d be happy to help.”

We drive over to the Inlet Views, which is a cute little motel on the inlet right near the jetty. It sits almost on the water and has the most amazing views. Noah’s restaurant, The Snapper, is on the ground level of the building. There’s an office as well at the front, and I follow him inside, smiling at the little bell on the door that tinkles as we enter and the little welcome sign hung on the wall.

Noah’s brother Jack is behind a tall counter, typing something into a computer. He looks up as we come in and his brows lift into an expression of surprise. Jack is a little taller than Noah and sports a short beard. His look is more traditional than Noah’s, whose piercings make him look a little alternative. Jack wears a collared shirt and brown chinos but no tie. It’s a smart casual look that suits him.