Page 102 of Neap & Spring

Beckett holds up both hands higher. “Okay, okay. Just asking. Sorry.”

I catch the look that passes between Hayes and Callum and the slight raise of Patrick’s eyebrows. The way Iris is suddenly very interested in the hem of her cardigan.

That was not a normal reaction.

“Anyway,” Wesley says firmly, his voice brooking no argument. “That’s my low. Hayes, you’re up.”

The transition is abrupt, almost aggressive, but Hayes takes the cue without missing a beat.

“Okay. Great. Uh, high …” Hayes stretches his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankle. “I finished the Miller project this week. They loved the design and approved everything on the first try, and I got the bonus I was hoping for.”

“That’s great,” Patrick says, pleasure in his voice. “That’s the waterfront property, right? The one you’ve been working on since summer?”

“Yeah. It took me six months just to get the permits sorted out. The coastal commission is a nightmare. But it’s finally moving forward.” Hayes looks genuinely pleased, some of the earlier tension leaving his shoulders. “Construction starts next spring. It’s going to be beautiful when it’s done. Three stories, all glass on the ocean side, sustainable materials, the whole thing.”

“I would love to see the renderings,” Callum says.

“I’ll send them to you. And low …” Hayes grimaces, his expression shifting. “I’ve been living on takeout for two weeks because my stove broke and my landlord still hasn’t fixed it. I’ve called him six times. He keeps saying he’ll get to it.”

“Two weeks?” Callum sounds offended. “Hayes, just come eat here. You don’t have to live on takeout. That’s gross.”

“Or at the restaurant,” I find myself saying, then immediately regret speaking out of turn again and drawing attention to myself once again.

But Hayes just smiles at me, warm and genuine. “Thanks, Vivienne. I might actually take you up on that. The pad thai from that place on Fifth is getting old.”

“Why haven’t you just fixed it yourself?” Beckett asks. “It’s a stove.”

“Because I’m not a contractor. I’m an architect. I design things, I don’t build them. There’s a difference.”

“It’s a stove. You literally just turn a wrench. Maybe replace an igniter. It’s not complicated.”

“You’re welcome to come turn a wrench then.”

“I’m busy.”

“Doing what? Surfing?”

“Surfing is literally my job!”

“Alright, alright,” Patrick cuts in, but he’s smiling, clearly having heard this argument before. Probably a hundred times. “Beckett, you’re next.”

Beckett sits up, his earlier grin returning full force. “High: I placed third in the Seaside Invitational last weekend. Won five grand.”

“Nice!” Wesley says, and the earlier tension is completely gone from his voice. You can’t even tell he was angry seconds ago. “That’s huge.”

“That’s great, Beck,” Callum adds. “Especially after losing your sponsor.”

“Yeah.” Beckett’s grin gets wider. “It felt really good to prove I could still compete without their backing. I’m not washed up.”

“You were never washed up,” Patrick says firmly. “They were idiots for dropping you.”

“Agreed,” Hayes adds.

“Very nice,” Patrick continues, pride evident in his voice. “You moving up in the rankings?”

“Slowly. If I can place top five in the next three competitions, I might qualify for the championship circuit.” Beckett looks excited now, his whole face lighting up. “That’s where the real money is. I might get an actual sponsorship and be able make a living instead of just scraping by.”

“You’ll get there,” Wesley says with certainty.