“Everyone else is driving down,” Ethan says, clearing his throat. “Just us for the sail.”
“Great,” I say, forcing a smile. “Perfect.”
The word tastes a little bitter.
Laughter drifts down the dock—bright, breezy, unburdened.
Two girls appear like they’ve stepped out of a catalog shoot, sundresses swaying with each confident step, coffee cups cradled in manicured hands. The rising sun catches their hair,turns it gold and glossy. They move like they know they’re being watched—and like they expect to be enjoyed.
Tony lights up instantly. “Kristen, Katie—there you are.”
They step aboard with easy balance, barely reacting to the boat’s sway.
“This is Sage,” Tony says, gesturing.
Katie’s eyes land on Sage’s sunglasses and widen. “Oh my god—are those the new Ray-Bans? Ijustsaw them inCosmo.”
Sage turns her head slowly.
Really looks at her.
Then she smiles.
“Oh,” she says, voice dripping sweet—and theSouthern twang comes out thick and unmistakable. “Bless yourheartfor noticing.”
It’s perfectly delivered. Polite. Lethal.
Kristen bites her lip like she’s trying not to laugh. Kate blinks, recalibrates, then smiles again—brighter this time, a touch defensive.
The wind snaps a loose corner of canvas overhead.
Tony claps his hands. “All right! Let’s get settled.”
As the girls move toward the bow, Sage straightens abruptly, tracking them over the top of her sunglasses. Her jaw tightens. Then she leans toward me, close enough that I can smell her coffee.
“Who arethey?” she murmurs.
“Tony’s friends,” I say. “We went skiing together last winter.”
Her eyes flick forward again. “Do they ever.”
Then, without looking at me, “Where’s Sean?”
The gulls cry again, louder now. The sun inches higher, spilling gold across the water.
“Working,” I say.
“Night shift?” she asks.
“Yeah.”
She hums softly. Noncommittal. Pulls her sunglasses down just enough to really look at my face—my eyes, my mouth, the way I’m holding myself together.
The wind cuts again. Cold this time.
“Catch,” Tony calls.
A hoodie arcs through the air. Sage snags it easily, shrugs into it, then surprises me by leaning into my side with a laugh.
