Page 62 of Half Moon Whim

Jack shook his head, but was grateful for an easy subject. “The coral nursery. I started some new fragments and wanted to know how they were doing.”

Alex grinned. “Uh-oh, and you had Sara with you? Are they still there?”

Jack smiled back. “Your sister-in-law is becoming an excellent diver. She swam all the way under the roof without kicking up a thing.”

Sara stuck her tongue out at Alex. “So there.”

“That’s a relief.” Alex lifted his glass and settled back in his chair. “I expect my sister-in-law to be an excellent diver. I’m sure it was Hope’s sister who kicked over the frames. Impulsive rampages run in the family.”

Hope and Sara both laughed, and Hope dug her elbow into his side. “Watch it, sailor. Trust me, you do not want the two of us ganging up on you.”

“Pretty sure I’ve already been there.”

Sara leaned forward, a wide smile spreading across her face. “Oh, you have no idea. I keep trying to tell you I went easy on you.”

Jack inspected his wineglass and stared at the sand, trying to tamp down his unease—the sensation of being on the outside, looking in. Hope ordered another bottle of wine, but he refused a refill, needing to keep a clear head. An easy back and forth went on among the other three.

Sara shifted in her seat. “I really am sorry about the coral trees, Alex. I wanted to tell you, but Jack insisted on taking the blame.”

Alex lifted a corner of his mouth. “It’s ok, Sara. Really.”

“Zach wouldn’t speak to me for a week.”

His smile widened. “He’s a smart kid.” Then he flinched suddenly with an oof as Hope glowered at him. He held up both hands. “Ok, ok. Sara, what do you think would have happened during a bad storm? Or, God forbid, another hurricane?”

Sara’s face went blank. “I never thought of that.”

“That’s why I built it out of PVC, so it’s easily reparable. Jack and I got it all fixed, good as new. Well, almost.” He raised his glass and Jack touched his to it, but heat rose up his neck at the reminder of the disaster.

Hope changed the subject and asked Jack several questions, trying to draw him in. But as the dinner progressed, he felt more and more like a fifth wheel. On one of his final dinners with Diane, they’d joined a couple she’d met golfing. She’d practically ignored him all night, and he’d felt like a complete outsider. The comparison to tonight was unavoidable.

Do I really belong here?

Sara was completely at ease and drained her second glass quickly. Hope did likewise, ordering another bottle. Jack and Alex still had mostly full glasses and waved off the waiter. “Looks like we’re driving home,” Alex said, and Hope shrugged at him unapologetically. He smiled and gave her a quick peck.

Jack kept up a good front, laughing appropriately and trying to join the conversation, but by the time the key lime pie arrived, he couldn’t wait to leave. All he could do was look across the table, face to face with the couple who held his future in their hands. His dream job. Alex’s subtle warning about not hurting Sara kept running through his mind. He only worked occasionally at Ocean Surf now. Mark was disappointed he was working more at Half Moon Bay, but Cameron couldn’t care less, of course.

“Is the new membrane system operational yet?” Jack asked, trying to reorient himself.

“Final inspection is in two days.” Alex pointed his fork at the two women. “And I expect you two to take a Nitrox class.”

“I’m still figuring out how to dive!” Sara said too loudly, setting her glass down with a thump and nearly spilling her wine.

Jack frowned. “Keep it down. Aren’t you working tomorrow?”

Sara turned her head. “Yes. What’s that got to do with anything?”

All three pairs of eyes were on him, and he fidgeted in his chair. “I just didn’t think you’d want to work with a hangover.”

“This is true,” Hope said. “I have high expectations of my spa manager.”

Sara scowled, weaving slightly in her chair. “It’s not much to manage, Hope. One hair station, one mani-pedi station, and two massage areas. Maybe we can add on!” Her eyes took on a dreamy cast as she stared at the dark ocean.

Alex watched steadily, alternating his gaze between Jack and Sara as if he had picked up on the tension. Then he turned back to Sara, his expression softening. “Do I get a say in this? I was there first, and I’d like to think if we add on to that building, it will be for the dive operation. The spa isn’t the only thing busting at the seams, you know.”

Sara gasped and leaned forward. “I know! We can expand both floors of the building. You can have the bottom floor and I’ll take the top for the spa. Come on—you guys have tons of money for the expansion. It’s time you started spending it.”

A notable change came over Hope and Alex. Hope glared at her sister, while a curtain descended over Alex’s face and he became expressionless, completely still. What is going on here?

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