Page 143 of We Are Just Us

Rory looked at Kieran, and for a second, all the things they hadn’t said yet were right there in the room.

Then Rory bent down, kissed Aubrey on the top of her head, and grabbed his board.

“Wish me luck,” he said.

“Good luck, Uncle Rory!” Aubrey shouted.

“You’ve got this,” Kieran added quietly.

Rory smiled. Touched the necklace at his chest. Then he turned and headed toward the water.

Kieran watched him go. Watched him paddle out past the break, joining the cluster of other surfers waiting for their heat to start.

“So,” Samantha said, settling onto the sand and patting the spot next to her. “You gonna stand there all day or are you gonna sit?”

Kieran sat. Aubrey was already digging in the sand with her shovel, building what looked like the foundation of an elaborate castle.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Just watched Rory out on the water, a dark shape among other dark shapes, waiting.

Then Samantha said, “He’s happy.”

Kieran glanced over. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Happier than I’ve seen him in a long time.” She was still looking out at the water, sunglasses back on now, expression unreadable. “Since before Britt died, honestly.”

Kieran didn’t know what to say to that.

“I’m not going to ask you a bunch of personal questions,” Samantha continued. “I’m not going to grill you about your job or your intentions or whatever. That’s not my style.”

“Okay.”

“But I will say this.” She turned to look at him now. “If Rory thinks you’re a good person—a good person for him—then that’s all that matters. He’s got better judgment than me, probably. So if he chose you, then you must be worth it.”

His throat tightened. “I’m trying to be.”

“That’s all anyone can do.” She smiled. Small but genuine. “Besides, he talks about you constantly. It’s honestly kind of annoying.”

Kieran laughed. “Really?”

“Oh yeah. Kieran this, Kieran that. Kieran’s dog is an idiot. Kieran can’t cook. Kieran makes me laugh. It’s very sweet and also very nauseating.”

“I can cook,” Kieran said, mock-offended.

“That’s what you’re focusing on?”

“It’s the principle.”

Samantha laughed. Real and bright. “Okay. I like you.”

“Thanks. I think.”

They settled into comfortable silence again. Aubrey moved on from her castle and was now collecting shells, arranging them in careful rows on her towel.

The announcer’s voice crackled over the loudspeaker, calling for heat three to begin.

Kieran leaned forward, trying to spot Rory among the surfers paddling into position.

“There,” Samantha said, pointing. “Third from the left.”