Page 13 of Seashells and Other Souvenirs

“And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the matchmaker herself.

” Chris raised his glass and winked at me across the backyard of the giant beachfront house my aunt and uncle had rented for the reception.

“Alex, I never would have guessed that the boy band obsessed girl I tutored in algebra would grow up to introduce me to the love of my life. You’ve become one of the truest friends I’ve ever had, and I could never thank you enough for deeming me acceptable for your beautiful cousin.

I still don’t feel worthy, but I promise to take care of her and to do my best every day to make her happy.

And Sutton . . .” He shifted his gaze to the bride in the seat at his right and, with a voice full of emotion, began to address her.

The way she looked at him as he spoke, like she’d follow him anywhere, told me everything I needed to know, everything I already knew. Sutton trusted Chris with her heart, and we could too.

It had been a long, hot afternoon, and I’d never forget standing in front of the ocean between Sutton and Elle, sweat trickling down our backs, as vows were exchanged.

Or the way our family members shifted in their folding chairs, fanning themselves with the programs that Rebekah designed.

Or the woman in the water behind us doing handstands that would no doubt need to be photoshopped out of all the pictures.

But Sutton would remember this as the happiest day of her life.

Chris finished his speech, leaned down, and kissed Sutton’s forehead. Everyone cheered as the music started back up.

“Come on.” Elle grabbed my arm and motioned for Rebekah to follow us to the little dance floor the deejay had brought along. I slid my shoes off under the table, happy to have Elle lead the way in Sutton’s absence.

We danced ourselves dizzy. It wasn’t until my feet started to hurt that I let my emotions catch up with me.

“I’m going to sit this next one out,” I yelled over the music to Rebekah and Elle and started to cut a path back to our table.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I turned around. Sutton’s manicured hand rested on her hip, her smile the same shade of white as her fairytale gown. “I know you aren’t going to miss our song.” I hadn’t even noticed the first few notes of our favorite talent show number the deejay had just cued up.

“Never.” I offered my own polished fingers, and she pulled me back out into the center of the party. Elle and Rebekah were already in their positions, ready to make absolute fools of themselves in front of a couple hundred people.

It was a miracle we still remembered every single step. And yet, it didn’t surprise me one bit.

When the chorus started for the second time, the crowd went wild. Chris had joined in on Sutton’s opposite side, as confident in the choreography as we were. I laughed until my eyes were wet.

When the music ended, I followed Chris off the dance floor to get some water. “I can’t believe Sutton taught you the dance,” I laughed.

“She didn’t have to. Do you know how many times she’s made me watch those talent show videos?

” His gaze wandered back to her, and no one could have missed how enamored he was.

“I may have just pledged my life to Sutton, but she made it clear from the very beginning that the four of you were a package deal. So if I have to learn a new dance every summer, it’s more than worth it.

And Al?” He gave me his full attention and waited for mine.

“Sutton always told me that growing up with only brothers, you guys were the sisters she always wanted. I feel the exact same way.”

“Ugh, Chris.” I shoved his tuxedoed arm away. “You’re going to make me ruin my makeup again.”

It’s nearly one in the morning when inspiration strikes. I gather my writing supplies and tiptoe downstairs, happy to see the kitchen light is still on.

I don’t have to ask if it’s okay to join him; he’s already scooting his stack of paperwork over on the counter to make space for me. I don’t want to keep him from his work, and I’m lost in my own world of words anyway. But after spending the whole day alone, I just want his company.

I’m not sure how long we work side by side in silence, but at some point, he brews a pot of coffee and sets a full mug in front of me.

Sometime later, he gently shakes my shoulder until I lift my head from the countertop.

“We should get some sleep,” he says. I drag myself, notebook in hand, back up the stairs to bed and sleep harder than I have in a long time.

I don’t know what time of day it is when I wake up with the sun in my face. I rummage under my pillow for my phone; only eight o’clock. When the front door hinges squeal, I jump out of bed and run to the top of the stairs.

“Are you leaving already?” I call down.

Jude smiles up at me from the doorway, and my brain registers for the first time that I must look like a mess. I reach for my unruly bun and tug the elastic band out, then start smoothing it with my hands to pull it back up.

“I was just going to run a few errands. Pick up some groceries before Gavin gets here and a couple other things.” He closes the door. “You want to ride with me?”

I nod eagerly, feeling like a little kid but not caring. “Give me ten minutes?”

“Take your time.” He swings his key ring around his fingers before tucking it back into the pocket of his cargo shorts.

Fifteen minutes later, I’m sliding into the passenger seat.

Jude cranks the engine. “Hey, I have to run by the bank, and it’s right by that little beach shop with the good saltwater taffy if you want to stop. They have postcards too.”

“Ooo, yes! If you’re sure we have time.”

He puts his arm on the headrest behind me and turns to back out. “We’ll make time.”

“Would it help if I made a grocery list on the way?”

He slides the gearshift and passes me his phone. “Already done.”

I tap the screen and laugh out loud when I read at the very top: traditional undersized cereal.

“You have any big traditions in mind for when my brother is here?” He keeps his eyes on the road, but this feels like a loaded question.

I scroll down the grocery list, adding paper towels and coffee at the bottom.

He must have forgotten we were low. “Gavin wasn’t part of the deal,” I say matter-of-factly.

“But after he leaves, we’re going to have to double down if we’re gonna stay on schedule.

We have a lot to do before my family gets here. ”

“We need to pick up a net,” he reminds me. I inspected the one under the house a few days ago and deemed it unacceptable for crab hunting.

“Right.” I type in the addition and set his phone back in the cup holder between us. “How is it that running errands alone is a chore, but running errands with someone else instantly makes it a fun adventure?”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” He puts on his blinker and turns onto the main road off the island. “Hey, I’m not sure what time Gavin will get in tonight, but if I’m not home yet, you guys order some food and I’ll just join you when I get there.”

I suck in a breath, horrified. “You really think he might get here before you’re back?”

“It’s going to be fine, Alex. It’s just Gavin.”

I don’t know how to tell him that there’s no such thing as “just Gavin,” so I turn on the radio instead.

He takes a deep breath and pulls onto the bridge.