Page 99 of Passing Ships

A lady gasps as she exits one of the stalls.

I ignore the old biddy and continue, “And I think I might be falling in love with him.”

Another horrified exhale from the eavesdropper causes me to whirl on her.

“Excuse me, do you need me to get you a paper bag so you don’t hyperventilate?” I ask.

“Well, I never. You’re her maid of honor,” the lady scoffs as she hurries out of the restroom.

Realization washes over me.

Oh God.

I turn back to Milly. “Not Sebastian. I wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole. Not that there’s anything wrong with Sebastian. I just love Avie, and I’d never ever, ever—I meant Lennon. I’m sleeping with Lennon.”

The corner of her mouth twitches as she places a hand on my elbow and leads me out into the hallway.

“I already knew that, dear,” she whispers.

My mouth falls open. “You did?”

“Yes. They might be grown men who tower over me now, but I raised those boys. I know them better than they know themselves. I see the way my son looks at you. Especially when he thinks no one is paying attention.”

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I say.

“You might not have, but I have a sneaking suspicion others played a hand in it,” she says, her eyes snapping over my right shoulder.

I glance behind me to see Sabel and Ida Mae hiding behind a marble column, pretending to admire the lighting.

“I don’t understand,” I mutter.

“Someone called and convinced Avie’s mother that she was needed and should come to the island early. And that same someone suggested moving you to the beach house where Lennon was staying,” she says loudly.

“It was a coincidence,” Sabel bellows before the two of them scurry off.

“I’m so confused,” I say under my breath.

Milly offers me a calming smile. “Lennon is an old soul. He has been since he was a little boy. He can be stubborn and take himself way too seriously sometimes, but he’s a good man.”

“Yeah, too good for me,” I quip.

She reaches up and hooks a finger under my chin. Lifting my eyes to hers.

“What I’m trying to say is, he’s a calm, steady love, and that’s just what a wild, crazy love needs in a partner. Don’t ya think? Someone to love them in a quiet and gentle way. Because two wildfires would burn each other and everything in their path to the ground.”

“You think I’m a wildfire?” I ask.

She grins. “I think you’re Lennon’s wildfire,” she says.

Then, she winks at me and walks back into the banquet hall.

I stand there, staring at the door for a few minutes. Then, I take a deep breath and walk back inside.

The DJ is playing music, and the dance floor is now full.

Sebastian is leading Milly around, and Lennon is holding Leia’s hand as he lets her lead him onto the floor.

When they make it to her daddy’s side, Lennon twirls her, and her dress floats out around her as she shouts with glee.

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