“But then Dave and I got into something.” Ginny fiddles with the skirt on her suit. “I shouldn’t have pushed it, but you know how I feel about his partying. I mean, I’ve loved him forever, but he’s not the same when he’s drinking, and yesterday there was this girl. I don’t think anything actually happened, but we were supposed to meet at the florist this morning and he didn’t show up. I didn’t know if he’d even come to the river today.”
I wince. “Is he partying more because he’s scared about becoming a father, or is it just Dave being Dave? Have you asked him?”
“I tried, and the thing is, I don’t want to just make up with Dave in the bedroom. Physical chemistry isn’t our problem, and sometimes that makes me forgive him too fast, I think.” Ginny chokes up. “Honestly, I can’t stand his flirting. Or his drinking. I don’t know which is worse, and I feel so dumb!”
I don’t answer her because I’m remembering Mama. “It’s the flirting,” She’d say. “And the drinking! No respect, I tell you. None!”
I put my arm around Ginny. “You don’t deserve any of that. He seems to be a lot worse than usual. And I think Nickel is super nice and cute, by the way.”
Ginny whips her head over to look at me. “What are you saying, Macey?”
“I’m just saying—instead of walking away after her husband was disrespectful and cheated on her, Vivian kept blaming Jane Austen for his indiscretion. Maybe she should have moved on.”
“But I get why Vivian was confused. Jane Austen was the Queen of Romance. So even though Vivian’s anger was misplaced, she felt betrayed.” Ginny pats her belly. “And my little munchkin doesn’t make walking away an option.”
After we drag our tubes out of the water, we set up two tents—one for the girls and one for the guys. While we wait for the sun to start going down before we cook dinner, everyone pairs off around the campsite. Everyone who has someone, that is.
Not wanting to watch Logan and Gigi together, I excuse myself from the group and call out that I’m going to take a walk along the river.
Luckily for me, I’m not the only one who came here solo.
Blake jumps up and offers to join me on the walk.
“I’d love the company,” I tell him, linking my arm through his. “Let’s go.”
As soon as we’re out of sight and earshot of the others, Blake slings his arm around my shoulders.
“Nightmare afternoon for you?” he asks me.
“Pretty much,” I say, my thoughts still on Gigi with her dainty hands on Logan’s chest.
“You two kids.” Blake shakes his head. “I’m in pain watching you, Mace. Although, I have to say, I don’t get Logan’s angle. And Christ, I’ve tried to get him to crack.”
“I thought you were up to something.”
“Of course I am. Don’t tell me you disagree.”
“How do you mean?”
“He’s obviously crazy about you. He has been since we were kids. So for him to be on the verge of marrying another woman…and out of fucking nowhere…”
“Yeah.” I kick at an errant rock on the path. “It’s definitely strange. But love can be like that, right? It sneaks up on you sometimes.”
“I suppose. I’m not buying it with those two, though.” Before I can say more, Blake chuckles. “And now you’re stuck with me. Although, I am a huge catch.”
“With such a small ego,” I say with an eye roll. I take a breath before adding, “You know who’s definitely off-limits to you though?”
Blake starts laughing. “Macey…” He holds up both hands. “You ain’t got to worry about Freedom. I’m just looking out for her.”
“As am I.” I give him a hard look. “She’s eighteen years old, Blake, and she’s my baby sister. She’s brilliant. And she’s good. She’s going places.”
“I know she is. And I’m proud of her. I’ve known her forever, too, you know.”
“I know. But you’ve got women kneeling at your feet to take you on a date.”
“I am the man, aren’t I?” he says teasingly.
“For some lucky woman, yes, you will be. For my baby sister, absolutely not.”
