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They walked in an increasingly awkward silence for another minute or two and then Flip said, “I saw Todd on Tuesday.”

Just as Ellery had expected. Well, forewarned was forearmed.

“Yeah?” Ellery did not care, did not want to hear it.

“It’s all over with him and Jerry.”

Ellery said nothing.

“I guess it’s been over for months.”

“What a surprise.” Ellery couldn’t help the tinge of bitterness that crept into his voice. “And they were so perfect for each other, too.”

Flip made a sound of acknowledgement. “You know where I stand.”

Presumably. Flip had known Ellery a lot longer than he’d known Todd or Jerry. But if Flip was bringing this up now, it was with purpose and Ellery braced himself.

“He’s got a lot of regrets.”

“I would hope so.” Ellery glanced at Flip. Flip’s expression was troubled. “I trusted them. I would hope they’re both regretful.”

“I can’t speak for Jerry, but Todd was strongly hinting that he’d like me to try to…I don’t know. Test the waters.”

Ellery threw him a look of disbelief. “Test the waters? What, are we back at Tisch? The water is ice cold. The water is at freezing point and Todd would be dead in fifteen minutes if he tried jumping in.”

Flip said quickly, awkwardly, “I hear you.”

“Seriously, if Todd has something to say to me, he should man up and say it tome.”

“I know. I know, I told him that.” After a moment, Flip asked, “Wouldyou want to hear from him?”

“No.” Ellery was definite.

“Because of Jack?”

“Because ofTodd.” Ellery added, “But also because of Jack, yeah. IloveJack.” In fact, he loved Jack more than Todd, Brandon, and every other guy he’d ever dated, combined.

Flip considered that, glanced at Ellery, and smiled tentatively. “I’m looking forward to meeting Jack.”

Ellery forced himself to smile in answer. “Me, too. I really want him to meet all of you.”

“I hope you don’t—aren’t—”

“You mean well. I know that.”

“Yeowch.”

Ellery managed a short laugh, but honestly? Flip should have known better.

By then they had reached the steep hillside trail leading down to the beach. Watson scampered down, but Ellery stopped Flip, with a hand on his arm. “It’s not safe when it’s been raining.” He spoke from painful experience.

From their vantage point, they gazed down at churning white water. The sea was running high; the tide sweeping up the empty beach in long rollers. The fuzzy white sun turned the crescent of sand stretching north eerily, unnaturally bright.Watson raced along the water’s edge, chasing the waves away, then nearly somersaulting in retreat when the water rushed back.

Flip chuckled, watching him.

“He never gets tired of that game. Well, ofanygame,” Ellery commented.

Eventually, Ellery whistled for Watson, who came charging up the hillside, not bothering with the trail at all. The three of them started back to the house.