“God, I love to hear that,” Seraphina said. “But I’m in shock.”
“Did you know I was coming tonight?”
She laughed like that was the most hilarious thing she’d ever heard. “My friend, nothing is a secret for long in this group. Our text chat chain is miles long. We know all about what you’ve been up to.”
“Up to?”
“Making our friend glow. And laugh. You have no idea how much it means to us to see her happy again. She went through hell.”
“I know.”
“I’m glad you finally got the nerve to ask her out,” Seraphina said.
“Me too.”
“Annie’s pretty happy about it too,” Seraphina said. “She went on and on earlier about how you taught her your mother’s favorite dish. It was adorable. She really likes you. I hope that doesn’t scare you away.”
“Why would it?”
“Breaking a grown woman’s heart is one thing. Doing the same to a child? That’s risky stuff.”
“I don’t plan on breaking anyone’s heart.” But her words made me nervous. She was right. I had to be careful with Annie’s soft heart.
“I feel confident you won’t,” Seraphina said. “But then again, I’m a romantic.”
The evening moved along—food appearing in waves, kids cannonballing into the pool, husbands drifting between the grill and the wine. The men folded me in naturally, asking me about the store, then moving to a debate about the drive-in reopening.
At one point, Gillian got me alone, finding me at the drinks table opening a bottle.
“Hey, Dorian. You having a nice time?” Gillian asked in her gentle voice, placing a graceful hand on my shoulder for a quick second.
“I am, thanks.”
“It’s good to hear Delphine laughing,” Gillian said.
“I think so too.”
“I was thinking about this earlier,” Gillian said. “Delphine has never once brought anyone to one of our dinners.” She letthat sit. “Not a date. Not a friend. Not anyone. I wasn’t sure she ever would. So thank you for being the one. We’re all so pleased.”
Everyone seemed to think this was a permanent situation. Including me. Was it foolish to think so? Delphine could be unpredictable. Maybe she’d change her mind.
“What did I say?” Gillian asked, clearly picking up on my thoughts.
“Nothing. I just worry … you know, that I’m getting my hopes up. I really like her.”
Gillian studied me a second. “I understand. But sometimes you just have to trust that God knows what he’s doing.”
I thought about the connection Delphine and Annie had with my mother and thought she might have a point.
Before we could speak further, Vance strolled over, nudging my shoulder. “I’ve got something really good open. Join me?”
“Sure.” I followed him to a corner of the patio, facing out to the sea. The sun was just setting, a ball of orange sinking slowly into the horizon.
He’d already poured me some wine. I sat next to him and took a sip. “Oh, that’s good stuff.”
“I know,” Vance said. “I found a case of it at an auction last month. And it’s ready to drink, so lucky us.”
We sipped, not speaking. We’d known each other since we were eight years old. Although we’d both been away for a good part of twenty years before moving back to Willet Cove, when we were together, it was as if no time had passed.
