Page 106 of Fire Island
Like I said, a mirror.
“You have to do something with your life. Living here isn’t a life.”
“It’s yours.”
“Yeah. Because the life I had before this was destroyed.”
Too much?
“Another thing Ava’s pride has ruined,” he says, rubbing his hands over his face. “I have no idea what I want to do, that’s the problem, and low-paying jobs don’t do it for me.”
“Sometimes, you take what you can. At least until something better comes along.”
“Yeah, maybe . . .”
I walk past, patting him on the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out, bud.”
He shrugs my hand away, and I chuckle as I climb the stairs. He’s just too easy to rile up. But I’m deadly serious about this island, it’s no place for a young man. This is an old man’s game. He deserves a life, and I will make sure he gets one.
Even if he hates me for it.
Waiting for Evie, I walk the distance between Iris’s and the library where I dropped her this morning. We’re staying the night while Reese keeps an eye on the lighthouse. I gave him a thorough rundown. Besides, the lamp itself is automated. He only needs to radio the watchhouse if something goes wrong. I pray to the heavens the old girl behaves.
We haven’t told Em or Iris about the engagement yet. Evie called her parents this morning. That went over as well as a fart in church since they’ve never met me... And I’m not a great deal younger than them. She was disappointed to say the least, so I’m hoping Iris’s excitement can mend that hurt a little.
The doors to the library whoosh open, and Evie walks out, waving her goodbyes to a trio of young girls holding copies of her books. When she turns to focus on where she’s going, her gaze lands on me.
“Oh, hey. I could have met you at the café... But I’m glad I didn’t have to.” Her arms slide around my neck automatically, and I wrap her in my hold.
“Hungry, my famous, beautiful girl?”
“What, no Gaelic?” She smiles.
The three girls are all but plastered to the glass window at the front of the library, watching their favorite author.
“You have an audience,” I breathe.
“I do?” She turns back and gives the girls another little wave. “We should get to Iris’s before dark.”
“We should. When does the library close?”
“Around seven, I think. It stays open later Friday night for book club.”
“What a way to spend a Friday night,” I drawl.
She slaps my arm, and I chuckle.
“Come on, Irry’s waiting. I can’t wait to see her explode when she discovers the rock on your hand.”
“Such a loving big brother.”
“Hey, I’ve got decades of torment from that girl. This might wipe a few years clean.”
“Happy to be of service,” she whispers into my ear, lacing her fingers through mine.
We make it to the café in good time. It’s all but cleared out tonight, with people mostly frequenting restaurants and pubs for their Friday night fun. As we approach, the last few people leave through the front door, and Iris turns theOpensign toClosed.
We meet the door as she goes to turn the lock. “Oh, where’d you two come from?” Her face lights up.
