Page 80 of At First Catch

“Seriously?”

“Crew refused to die when the pirates got him.”

A laugh slipped out of her.

“Rowan kept trying to direct everyone.”

“Lila gave up halfway through and started reading her book instead.”

“And Holt stole the plastic sword before the second act.”

I smiled.

“Sounds about right.”

Her eyes stayed on the empty deck.

“Mom laughed so hard she cried.”

The smile on her face softened into something quieter.

“It’s strange.”

“What is?”

“I still look at this place and hear people.”

I’d looked around then.

At peeling paint.

Empty tables.

Weathered railings.

She’d looked at the exact same marina and seen a lifetime of summers.

I keep walking.

It takes another few steps before I realize what I’ve been doing.

Planning for her to still be here.

“You look terrifyingly happy.”

I glance up.

Miguel stands near the western slips holding a power drill and entirely too much amusement.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure.”

Miguel studies me for another second before grinning. “So the bookstore trip went well?”

Every muscle in my body stills.

“How do you know I went to the bookstore?”