Francis and Tia were already at the table. Francis gestured grandly for Rylan to take his usual seat at his right side, between him and Tia.
The table was set with a tablecloth, glass dishes, and napkinsthe color of the sea. The four place settings had identical helpings of white wine lobster bisque, sugar-glazed carrots, roasted artichoke hearts, and a thick slice of almond sourdough. They each had champagne flutes with generous pours that glinted in the sun when Lila lifted hers in a toast.
“To our first full-family meal since... goodness... since August! Cheers, loves.”
Francis clinked her glass and showed off all his teeth. “To the Camerons.”
“Yeah, to us,” Tia said, and she looked right at Rylan.
They toasted and drank.
“Rylan, tell Tia about the dives we have planned,” Francis said, plunging a spoon into his bisque.
Rylan perked up. They had six dives planned so far, each of them more exciting than the last. “The first one will be in a couple days. It’s off of this private cay with all these caves and rock formations. There might be tunnels we can swim through.”
“Cool,” Tia said around a mouthful of bread.
There was another dive in a marine sanctuary off the coast of Georgia, and another they might be able to find that was famous for nurse sharks. Rylan explained them all before realizing his family had finished with their food and moved on to second or third glasses of champagne all while he hadn’t yet picked up his soup spoon.
“We have something special for dessert,” Lila said to Tia. “I hope you’ve saved room.”
Tia patted her stomach. “I got a whole wing set aside for dessert, Mom.”
Lila rose from her chair. “I’ll fetch Alejandro.”
Rylan reached into his pocket. “I have a, uh, small present for you.” He handed Tia the folded sketch.
“Aw, Ry...”
Tia smoothed it out on her lap, and Rylan watched for her reaction. He had sketched it based off a selfie Tia had texted him while she was at school. She was wearing her uniform, tie undone, collar unbuttoned, her hair loose around her shoulders. She had an eyebrow poised and an unlit cigarette dangling from her lips.
It was a gorgeous photo, and even more stunning in the cinematic style of the sketch. Tia looked edgy but attractive, like a movie star.
Like Lila.
Francis leaned over to get a better view of the drawing. “Is that you? What are you smoking?”
Tia flipped around the drawing so Francis could look her black-and-white self right in the face. “Cocaine. In a gum wrapper.”
Rylan drowned a snicker with a mouthful of champagne. The last thing they needed was to antagonize Francis before the voyage even began.
Their father held up a finger but was interrupted by Lila breezing back to the table, Alejandro moving glacially behind her as he carried a massive, trembling cake.
“Oh, you started presents without me!” Lila looked wounded until Tia’s jaw dropped at the sight of the cake.
“Holy shit, Alejandro.”
Rylan stood to help him, but Alejandro had already slid his masterpiece onto the chart house.
“Sopresa!” he announced, dusting his hands together. “Twelve-layered genoise sponge cake with handmade meringue buttercream frosting, chocolate roses, edible gold, and strawberries.”
The twins applauded, and Alejandro held up both hands in false modesty before he gave an extravagant bow.
“Enjoy it while you can,” Francis advised as Rylan abandonedhis dinner and cut himself a large slice with extra strawberries. “Once we’re at sea, we won’t be able to make meals as fancy as this.”
Alejandro’s mouth quirked. “We?I did not realize I had a sous-chef.”
Lila giggled and placed a hand on Alejandro’s kraken tattoo. “Trust me, Ale, you do not want my husband anywhere near a kitchen.”
