Page 65 of Say Uncle

“It doesn’t have to be a dream. We would havemoney left over. We could buy the boat outright and not have to touch our savings, at least not much of it.”

He definitely looked interested. “Fuck. Do you think?”

“Nicky could help you run this boat, and Mattie could help me run the Harlowe Three. We could make twice as much money over the summer.”

“Shit. I could see that.”

Fuck yes.“Think about it.”

Cass grinned hugely. “I don’t have to think about it. I already know that’s what I want. Let’s do it.”

“Yeah? You wanna shack up with me?” I joked, sliding my arm around his waist to pull him closer.

Cass teased my lips with quick kisses that were mostly tongue. “‘Bout fucking time. I’ve only been fucking you for twenty-five years.”

“Twenty-six, andI’vebeen fuckingyou.”

He smiled against my lips. “I feel like we’re just getting started.”

“We are. This is the beginning of everything.”

“We’re going to be able to retire in two years if that phone don’t quit ringing.”

Cass sat beside me on the back deck, sprawled outon the sunbed as we stared up at the night sky. “It’s my sister,” I cursed, checking my phone.

His eyes grew round. “Answer it.”

“Hey, Allison,” I greeted cooly.

“Hey Sam,” she returned tentatively. “I was calling to check on Matt and see how things were going.”

“And you’re suddenly so concerned why?”

“I never wanted him to leave,” she defended. “That was all his father.”

“Right, the man you chose to marry.”

“Sam, please tell me he’s doing alright.”

Snorting, I answered, “I would, but that would be a lie. He’s doing better than alright. He’s doing fan-fucking-tastic.”

“Really?” She sounded surprised, and my first instinct was to dress her down, but I caught myself. Not so long ago, I was one of those people that had underestimated him. I would never make that mistake again.

“Is there anything else you need to know?”

“Could you… maybe tell him I asked after him?”

“Sure, I bet he’ll be thrilled,” I replied sarcastically.

“I asked John to move out. I can’t stay married to a man who thinks so little of the people I love.” She laughed without humor. “I probably should have seen all those red flags right from the beginning instead of closing my eyes and running past them.”

“So why did you?” I asked.

“So many reasons. Of course, they were all thewrong ones. When the summer is over, and you’re done chartering for the season, I want Matt to know that he still has a home here with me if he wants to come back.”

Her offer went a long way to soothing some of my anger. And though I knew it wasn’t what Mattie wanted, I had no doubt it would heal some of his hurts.

“Thank you. I’ll pass that on to him.”

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