Page 44 of Passing Ships

Lisa and Savannah asked Avie and me out for cocktails and dinner at a new place that just opened on the west side of the island. It has a great menu and an oceanfront bar.

“And don’t forget, the next dance lesson is Tuesday evening at seven,” Eden chirps.

“Yes, how did that go last night?” Sabel asks.

“Pretty good. Anson is lighter on his feet than expected. Sebastian got the steps down pat, and Lennon, well, he’s gonna be a bigger nut to crack,” Eden says.

I choke on my mimosa.

“Are you okay?” Sabel asks, patting me on the back.

“Yes, sorry. Went down the wrong pipe,” I sputter.

“Was he that bad?” Milly asks, concern for her son apparent.

“No, no. He’s just a bit stiff—that’s all.”

I bite my lip to keep from giggling.

Avie kicks my shin under the table.

“It’s the military in him. I swear the carefree boy I raised is still in there somewhere. Don’t let him get in his own way. Stick it to him.”

I have to bury my face in my elbow as I stand.

“Where’s the ladies’ room?” I ask.

Naomie points toward the bar area.

“Thanks.”

After breakfast, Avie, Eden, and I stop and meet with Jessica, the owner of Sunshine & Sugar Bakery, who has a tablet with photos of decorating options.

Avie’s eyes light up when we’re shown a four-tier cake covered in a soft white buttercream with a delicate blue watercolor-washed bottom tier to give it a splash of color. Gold-painted coral and dainty oyster shells, made of sugar, with inlaid pearl candies climb the sides.

“That’s the one. It’s perfect,” she gasps.

“It’s stunning,” I agree.

“Okay, are you guys ready to taste some cakes?” Jessica asks.

“Yes, but first, can you make a cake to look like a sailfish?” Avie asks.

The two of them discuss the design for Sebastian’s groom’s cake and then Jessica’s staff brings out several trays filled with tiny bite-sized cupcakes. Each one is labeled with the flavor of the sponge and filling and is crowned with a dollop of buttercream frosting.

She leaves us to it, and we take our time sampling each one.

Avie settles on the flavors for each tier—coconut with lime curd, espresso chocolate with fudge ganache, vanilla bean with raspberry gel, and Sebastian’s favorite lemon poppy seed for the top.

All tasks accomplished, we drop Eden off at her studio, and Avie and I head back to the cottage to change into swimsuits and spend the rest of our afternoon by Sebby and Sabel’s pool.

“We need to discuss your bachelorette weekend,” I state.

Avie plops down in the lounge chair beside me. “Ugh, do we have to have one? Can’t we just make ice cream sundaes topped with RumChata or something?” she asks.

I roll to my side, slide my sunglasses down my nose, and glare at her. “You’re joking, right?”

“Not really,” she mumbles.

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