He didn’t know what came next, but for the first time in years, he wanted to find out.
"So," Claire said, glancing over at him with a soft smile, "what do you think tomorrow looks like?"
Jack chuckled. "Honestly? I have no idea. But I think I’m finally ready to see."
The words felt like stepping into the light after a long, gray haze—uncertain but warm, like sunlight breaking through cloud cover. A quiet calm settled over him, the kind that follows the last clap of thunder. Maybe it would be a simple dinner with Claire and the kids, a shared holiday down the road, or even just another afternoon like this—anchored in laughter, warmth, and the freedom to breathe again.
And as sunlight stretched across the beach, chasing shadows into the sea, Jack held on a little tighter to the hand in his.
Whatever storms came next, they’d face them together.
Chapter Eighteen
Claire
Claireopenedthefrontdoor and was slammed by a gut-punch of disbelief, her breath catching as her gaze landed on the last person she ever wanted to see standing on her porch in Seaview Harbor. Her breath caught, a tightness coiling in her chest as if the sudden coldness in the air had pressed against her lungs. For a second, she thought she might slam the door and pretend she hadn’t seen him.
“Derek?” she asked, blinking as if her eyes had conjured him from some bitter memory.
Her ex-husband leaned against the doorframe like he belonged there, one hand tucked in his pocket, the other holding a coffee cup. “Morning, Claire. You look… coastal.”
She crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”
“I was in the area,” he said casually, shrugging one shoulder. “Figured I’d drop by. It’s been a while.”
Claire tilted her head, unimpressed. “You mean two years. That’s more than just ‘a while’.”
“You’ve never just been in the area either,” she replied, her voice flat. “And you’ve never shown up unannounced. Not even when it mattered.”
Derek smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, well. Life gets busy.”
“Gabe’s life kept going too,” she replied. “Without you.”
Before he could answer, Jack appeared behind her, drawn by the sound of voices and the edge in her tone. His quiet steps stopped just behind her, one hand brushing gently against her back—a steadying presence, as if anchoring her in place. He leaned in slightly and whispered, "Everything okay out here?" he asked quietly, Claire’s spine eased just slightly at the touch—like a knot inside her had loosened. Jack’s presence didn’t just steady her; it reminded her she wasn’t standing alone. Claire gave a small nod, but didn't look away from Derek. "Yeah. Just... a surprise visit."
Claire stepped back to let Jack into the doorway beside her, grateful for his calm presence.
Derek’s eyes flicked to Jack and back. “Ah. So this is the reason your texts have gotten shorter.”
Claire didn’t flinch. “Jack is my neighbor. And my friend. He’s also not the reason we’re not together, in case you forgot—again.”
Jack remained silent, but his stance straightened slightly, the picture of polite but firm resolve.
“I’m not here to fight,” Derek said, raising both hands. “Just wanted to say hi to Gabe. Maybe take him for ice cream?”
Claire hesitated. “You’re two years late for ice cream, Derek.”
Gabe’s voice echoed from the living room. “Mom, can I show Jack my new Lego tower?”
Derek raised his eyebrows. “That didn’t take long.”
Claire turned to Jack with a glance that asked, Would you mind?
Jack smiled gently. “Of course. I’ll be in the den.”
Once Jack disappeared down the hallway, Derek’s charm flickered off like a light switch. Claire felt the shift immediately—her stomach tensed, her breath catching as a hundred memories surged back uninvited. This was the Derek who’d left her second-guessing everything—his voice soft one minute, cutting the next. Her shoulders drew back as if bracing for a cold wind. This was the Derek she remembered—the one who dropped the mask when he thought no one was watching.
“So this is what you want now? Mr. Calm and Collected?” he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. “You think a guy like that gets what you need? You think he can handle you? I remember when you needed more than calm words and steady hands,” his tone laced with sarcasm.
