The sail out is smooth and easy, the boat cutting clean through the water as the sun starts its slow descent. Sage sits close to me, legs tucked under her, fingers brushing mine like she can’t help herself.
“This,” I say quietly, watching the shoreline slide by, “this is what I needed.”
She leans her head against my shoulder. “I wanted to give it to you.”
Dinner is perfect—white tablecloths, candlelight, wine that costs too much but tastes like it’s worth it. Laughter comes easy. Tony’s arm is around Melissa’s waist, Sage’s hand rests possessively on my thigh beneath the table.
Back on the boat, we open another bottle. The night is warm, the water calm, the deck glowing under soft lights.
Tony clears his throat dramatically.
“So,” he says, standing. “We’re gonna head to the bed-and-breakfast.”
Melissa snorts. “Translation: I do not want to hear you two going at it.”
Tony nods solemnly. “No offense, but the sound of you and Sage would make me horny, and then I can’t sleep.”
Melissa swats his arm, laughing. “You’re disgusting.”
Sage laughs too, burying her face in my chest.
“We’ll see you in the morning,” Tony says, already backing toward the dock. “Try not to sink the boat.”
They disappear, still teasing each other.
The boat settles into quiet.
Just us.
Sage lifts her drink, eyes bright, a little tipsy now. “Best Thursday ever,” she says.
I clink my glass against hers. “Best surprise ever.”
She shifts closer, careless and happy—and that’s when it happens.
Her drink tips.
Liquid splashes across my lap—and straight onto my flip phone.
The screen flickers.
Then goes dead.
“No—no, no, no,” I mutter, grabbing it.
“Oh my God,” she gasps. “Ethan, I’m so sorry?—”
She reaches to wipe it, her hand slipping?—
The phone bounces once off the edge of the bench.
Then—
Plop.
Gone.
Overboard.
