“But the reasons it went into liquidation were because of decisions your father made.”
I shrug. “No one sees it that way.”
“I see it that way.”
“Because I’ve told you and you’re my friend and you believe me.”
“So why don’t you tell people?”
“And embarrass my dad?” It was bad enough, gradually realizing my dad wasn’t the man I thought he was. In the early months when I took over, he’d come into town and we’d have lunch or take a walk. But his visits became less and less frequent. Maybe it was because he was getting older. Maybe he was just bored. Or maybe he saw the complete and utter disappointment in my eyes. First, that he hadn’t built the successful business I thought he had. But then, that he’d handed it on to me, and by doing so hung an albatross around my neck. I was doomed to failure. I’d started off enthusiastic and full of energy, and by the time I closed the doors on Bain Insurance, I was broken. I’d lost my confidence, and anyone who might give me a job in Boston had stopped taking my calls. I was a loser.
“I don’t know why you’re still protecting him,” Ed says.
“I don’t think I am. He knows what he did.”
“But does he?”
“If he doesn’t, he’s an even worse businessman than I know him to be.”
Ed shakes his head. I get that he’s angry on my behalf. But he won’t convince me to speak to my dad about it. “What really pisses me off,” Ed continues, “is that some part of you thinks it’s your fault. And that’s bullshit.”
I’m bored with fishing. I want off this boat. What the hell time is it, anyway?
“You guys ready to pull in your lines?” Brice asks us. I’m grateful for the interruption.
I just want to be back on dry land. And see Lucy. I’ve been a coward by not kissing her already. There’s no way I’m going to continue to be a coward. I’m going to tell her I want to kiss her, and I’m going to be able to tell by her expression whether she wants to kiss me back.
Chapter Sixteen
Lucy
I scan the deck table, looking at all the shells, cardstock, bits of string, and scissors, then glance back to my creation in front of me. I’ve arranged my shells on a piece of black card so they form a heart shape. I don’t know whether it’s the colors of the shells against the unlikely background or the fact that the shells seem to gleam, they’re so shiny, but it looks impressive. I’m practically Martha fucking Stewart.
“I love it, Lucy,” Katherine says. The rest of the girlsohhandahhin agreement and admire their own creations. Katherine has made a wind chime with her shells. Alison has stuck hers on a white background in a circle. Luna abandoned her project in favor of making everyone their second cocktail of the day. “Are you going to give it to Hunter?” she asks.
I snap my head around to check I heard her right. “Of course I’m not. I’m going to get a frame and hang it in my apartment. Maybe in the kitchen.”
“Is there room in your kitchen?” Luna asks, setting a tray full of Bellinis on the table.
“Probably not. In the bathroom, then. Or my bedroom.”
“Grab a drink,” Luna says. “Let’s have a toast.”
We all abandon our projects, take one of the tall glasses and stand in a circle, ready to sayCheers.
“Let’s drink,” Luna says. “To Katherine and Ed,” she says, raising a glass.
Katherine beams, and warmth burrows into my stomach. It’s so good to see her happy. This weekend was worth all the planning.
The sound of cars pulling up in the front captures our attention.
“Oh, God,” I say. “They’re all going to smell like fish.”
“I think they showered and changed and then went out for lunch,” Katherine says.
“A little more civilized. Which is surprising.” I roll my eyes, then remember I’m supposed to be dating Hunter rather than convincing myself that he’s gross.
I just hope I don’t get those unfamiliar flutters inside when I see him. I don’t want to have a crush on a guy like that. Especially one I’m sharing a bed with.
