"I understand." Everleigh smiled tightly.
"Actually, I'll wait and see how this conversation goes." Even though I did want a drink, I thought better of it since it wasn't even ten in the morning yet.
"Okay." We stepped to the side as the boat pulled away from the dock. "I really hate how it all turned out."
I snorted. "Come on, Evie. You had to have known that night that things wouldn't be good between us."
"I was drunk."
"That doesn't make it right."
"I know." She blew out a breath. "But we started flirting, and then things got out of hand."
"And now you're marrying him." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I know." She looked out at the water.
"I mean, not only are you my sister, but neither one of you has apologized to me."
"I've thought about it every day."
"Then why didn't you?"
Her brown eyes met mine. "I thought it was too late."
"It's never too late to apologize." I rolled my eyes.
"I know, but since moving to New York, life has just been different."
"So different that you couldn't pick up the phone and call me?" I challenged.
"It's not that easy."
I furrowed my brow. "Of course, it is."
"There are things you don't know."
I drew my head back slightly. "What does that mean?"
Before she could answer, we heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I looked over to see Douglas. "There you are," he said. "I thought you fell overboard or something."
I expected her to tell him to give us some more time to talk, but she didn't. Instead, she grabbed my hand and said, "I really am sorry, and I hope that one day you'll forgive me." I wasn't able to respond because she walked away with Douglas.
She just walked away.
What. The. Fuck?
I decided I needed a drink after all, so I ordered bloody marys for Nick and me. It was like breakfast in a glass as far as I was concerned. Plus, I was on vacation, and it was apparent that the Alexanders were footing the bill for the bar again because I didn't have to pay for the drinks.
I took the drinks upstairs, and Nick's face beamed when he saw me. I held his glass out to him. "More breakfast."
He took it. "Damn, baby. You're after my heart."
I looked at my parents, who were still sitting next to him. "I thought it was already mine?"
"Touché." He grinned, and to squash any doubts—if there were any—Nick stood and kissed my lips lovingly.
"How was your talk with Evie?" Mom asked.
