Page 12 of Passing Ships

I smile and hook my arm around her neck. “Now, do I get to wear a tiara too? Because I think as the maid of honor, I, too, should get to be a real-life princess for the day.”

Lennon

“Here are the keys,” Sebastian says. He hands me a Welcome to the Island key ring with keys attached, two silver and one bronze.

“The silver ones work the back door and deadbolt. The bronze is for the utility room beside the outdoor shower, where we keep the beach supplies. Feel free to use anything you want. There are sand blankets, tents, chairs, coolers, and everything else you could need. It’s also where I keep the garbage bins. Just pull them out to the curb on Sunday night and back in sometime Monday afternoon.”

I arrived at the airport in Wilmington this afternoon to start my thirty days of leave for the wedding of the year.

Why am I using thirty days of leave? Because my mother insisted that since I’m the best man, it’s my duty to be here for the lead-up to the main event, which includes, but is not limited to, a welcome party, tux fittings, guys-only fishing excursion, dance lessons, bachelor party, coed wedding shower—whatever the fuck that is—and a farewell brunch.

It’s like some royal prince is getting married instead of my baby brother.

I place the keys on the kitchen island.

“I thought you guys were moving in here. Wasn’t that the reason for the party last September?” I ask.

Sebastian purchased this oceanfront cabana as a fixer-upper and spent last summer remodeling it for his girls. The party was planned as a housewarming celebration, but he turned it into an engagement party with his surprise proposal that night.

Sebastian sighs. “That was the plan. Mine, at least. But the girls are happy at the cottage. It’s on a quiet cul-de-sac, Leia has her fairy garden, Nana and Gramps’ pool is across the street, and Ida Mae is next door. Here, there’s no yard, and the neighboring houses are rentals, so it gets noisy sometimes.”

“So, you guys are staying there?” I ask.

“We haven’t hammered out any details yet, but Nana has said that she and Gramps are willing to sell it to us. Avie pointed out that if we do expand our family down the road, adding on to the cottage would be a lot easier than here. It has a huge yard with lots of space to grow. This place already fills the entire lot, and the only way to grow is up.”

“That’s too bad. I know having a house on the beach is your dream,” I say.

He shrugs. “Dreams change. Now, I just want to be where my girls are happy.”

I nod as I look around.

“Well, you and Wade did a good job. It should generate premium rental income, or you can sell it for a good profit.”

He glances down at his phone and sighs.

“Something wrong?” I ask.

“Avie texted me while we were on our way back to say her mother showed up this morning. Looks like I’ll be getting the full mother-in-law experience ahead of the wedding,” he declares.

I laugh.

“It’s not funny. Avie’s already a nervous wreck, and her mother is going to drive her crazy,” he complains.

“Sorry, bro. I want to sympathize—I do—but it’s too much fun watching you suffer,” I say as I slap his back.

“Fucker,” he mumbles under his breath.

“Come on. Let’s get lunch, and I’ll buy you a beer,” I offer.

“Anson and Parker are waiting for me at the marina. We can swing by and grab them and head to the Barnacle Café.”

“Sounds good,” I say.

I retrieve a ball cap from the duffel bag I tossed on the bed and throw it on my head. Grabbing my wallet and phone, I shove them into my pocket, and we head out to meet the guys.

“I’ll have the cheeseburger plate with tots and a Sticky When Wet IPA. Thanks,” I order.

“Coming right up.”

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