Page 61 of Passing Ships

“We all have a foot in the grave, Seb. It’s a matter of time, and no one is guaranteed more than the rest of us. I just don’t want any regrets.”

“I can think of one little girl who would be thrilled to have her uncle around—and a few big girls too,” he says. “Speaking of which, how’s it going, playing house?”

“Fine.”

“Just fine, huh?”

I cut my eyes to him. “What answer are you looking for?”

“Avie seems to think that something is happening between you and Amiya. Something more than fine.”

“Did that come from Amiya?” I ask.

“Don’t know. Just thought you should be aware in case you need to steer that ship in a different direction.”

I chuckle under my breath. “Noted.”

He smirks. “Good talk. We should do this more often.”

When we arrive home with the groceries, the girls are seated at the island, watching a video on Amiya’s laptop of a woman arranging items on a fancy decorated pub table.

“It’s a Bloody Mary bar. We can have bacon and shrimp skewers, lemon and lime wedges, a variety of stuffed olives, pickled okra, jalapeños, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, tomato and Clamato juices, and a few vodka options. Then a mimosa and Bellini bar for the lightweights,” Amiya says.

“Mom is going to veto this,” Avie states.

“She doesn’t have veto power. It’s your bridal shower. If you want this, I’ll make it happen. If you don’t, I’ll think of something else to make things interesting,” Amiya assures her.

“What do you think, babe?” Avie asks Sebastian.

“I get a vote?” he asks, as he rounds the island and leans in to look at the screen.

“Yeah, it’s a coed shower,” she says.

“Shouldn’t it be called a bridal and groomal shower, then?” he asks.

“Groomal? What the hell is groomal?” Amiya asks.

“What the hell is a coed shower?” I ask in return.

She thinks about it for a minute. “I see where you’re coming from. But let’s be honest; you boys are only invited so you can help set up, clean up, and load the gifts into the car afterwards.”

“In that case, I vote for a beer bar,” Sebastian says.

“Beer bar? You mean a cooler full of beer?” Amiya asks.

“No, I mean a bar with a variety of beers—cans and bottles, frozen mugs, openers, and koozies,” he replies.

“So, a cooler full of beer and things to open them with. You got it, handsome. Now, what’s your vote on the Bloody Mary bar?” she asks.

“Yes,” he affirms, then looks at me. “I get my beer, and she called me handsome.”

“He’s so easy,” Amiya mutters.

I roll my eyes at him. “Come on, handsome. Grab a beer, and let’s throw those steaks on the grill,” I command.

“Can I brush the stuff on?”

Leia, who woke up from her nap, is now standing on a chair next to me so she can watch me cook.

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