The upstairs of the Grille was packed again. It wasn’t a surprise. I hadn’t worked a single night without it being that way. The thing about a beach bar during the summer season is that every night of the week is busy. Weekends were still heavier, but even weeknights could take you by surprise.

I’d finally fallen into a routine. I remembered to check the supplies and kegs before my shifts. I’d memorized well over a hundred drinks and for everything else I managed to inconspicuously look it up on the app. It had taken awhile, but I’d finally gotten it down to an art. Of course if things went well, I’d be working the bar less and the scuba business more. I’d practiced my presentation on Max twice that day during my breaks. He seemed amused by my carefully prepared PowerPoint slides. His approval gave me the extra boost of confidence I needed. I knew that Ocean Quest Gourmet could be big. We just needed to find someone with money to believe in us too. The problem was we were almost out of time. Once Caleb took over, there was no chance we were getting the shop.

“I’ll take a dirty martini please.”

I looked up at the sound of the familiar voice. “Kim? What are you doing here?”

“I heard the bartender working tonight was really good. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.” She smiled awkwardly in a forced way that a woman should never have to do with her sister.

“So, you’re not here to accuse me of being a home wrecker again?” I scooped some ice into a glass and set to work pouring a drink for another customer. I tried to keep my heart rate normal. I noticed the curious stares, but I ignored them. The nice thing about tourists is you didn’t usually see the same person twice.

“I’m sorry.” She set her jaw. Apologizing wasn’t something that came easy for Kim.

“Listen, I don’t have the time to argue with you right now. I’m working.” I spread out my arms at the swelling crowd.

“I see that, and I’m not here to argue.”

“Then why are you here? There’s no way you came just to apologize.”

“I wanted to see you. What’s happening between us isn’t right.”

I blinked back tears. She was right about that. “Can we talk later? Or tomorrow if you don’t want to stick around that long? I’m guessing you’re staying at Colin’s?”

“No. I got a hotel. I wasn’t sure if I was welcome at his house.”

“He’s your brother. He wouldn’t turn you away.” Whatever my issues with Kim, Colin would never turn his back on either of us.

“Maybe I’ll stop by and see him.”

A thought suddenly occurred to me. “Wait. If you haven’t seen Colin yet, how’d you know where to find me?”

“Your boyfriend told me.”

“What?” I overfilled a beer, making a mess. I grabbed a cloth and wiped it up.

“You gave Mom and Dad an address to send your mail. I showed up and met your roommates. They’re both nice by the way.”

“I know that.”

“Macon’s crazy about you. He wants you to be happy, and he thinks we need to talk.”

“Let’s do breakfast tomorrow.” Breakfast would be safe, a set time.

“Sure, but is that before or after your big presentation?” She smiled.

“Did Macon tell you about that too?”

“Actually, your other roommate did.”

“Excuse me!” A guy yelled to get my attention.

“All right, I won’t distract you anymore. Just get me my martini, and I’ll see you at Colin’s tomorrow morning.”

I made the martini, trying not to make a face. I hated olives and didn’t understand why anyone would ruin a perfectly good drink that way, but Kim wasn’t the only one. I decided there was no reason to put off the conversation. “You really wouldn’t mind waiting around?”

She took a small sip of her martini. “This is good, kid. And I’ll wait as long as I have to. I’ve always loved people watching.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of Kim’s appearance, but I didn’t have much time to worry about it. The crowd only grew. Sometimes there were benefits to being busy. Before I knew it, it was closing time. Kim waited for me to grab my stuff and clock out. It was really late, but I knew Max wouldn’t be locking up for a while. We took a seat at a table upstairs.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Kim interrupted.

“I’m sorry. Before you say anything I just needed to say that again.”

“I can’t believe you actually believe I’d do something like that.” I looked down, unwilling to look her in the eye and to let her know how much she’d hurt me.

“I didn’t. In my heart I didn’t, I just couldn’t accept that Jasper would.”

“Why did you marry him?” I knew my words were harsh, but if we were having a heart-to-heart it might as well have been honest.

“Are you really asking me that?” She fumbled with straps of her purse.

“Yes, but I don’t really expect you to answer.”

“I fell in love with him. He was everything I thought I wanted in a husband. He was everything Mom and Dad said I needed in a husband. What other reason would there be?”

“None.” I shifted in my chair, looking for a comfortable spot that probably didn’t exist.

“I knew how you felt though. No one told me the details, but I wasn’t blind. I knew something had happened with you guys, but I just ignored it. And that’s probably why it was so easy to make myself believe Jasper. If you had crush on him back then, why wouldn’t you still have one now?”

“Because a teenage crush is completely different from a grow woman’s desire to get involved with her sister’s husband.”

“I know.” She reached for my hand. “I’m an idiot.”

I let her take my hand. “But you did more than believe him about me being the instigator, you decided on your own to believe that something actually happened.”

“I know.” She used her free hand to bury her face. “It seemed easier than accepting our marriage wasn’t working for other reasons.”

“You mean it was easier to blame it on me.” I wasn’t sure where my nerve was coming from, but it felt good. It felt good to finally stand up for myself.

“You’re so lucky, Carly. You’ve always had everything.” She dropped her hand to her side.

“Me? Have everything? What about you? You’ve always been Mom and Dad’s favorite. The perfect one.” I didn’t bother to keep the cynicism from my voice.

“Because I was supposed to be. I let them pick out everything for me, even my husband.” She wiped away some tears. “But not you. You’ve never followed anyone blindly, let alone our parents. You’ve made your own choices and in the end you’re a happier person because of it.”

“Don’t make it sound like it’s been easy.” I pulled my hand away but left it resting on the table.

“I’m not trying to. I know it hasn’t been, and I’m a major part of why your life’s been hard lately.”

“Well, you can stop worrying about me. I’m fine.”

“Really? I don’t think you’re fine.” She stared at me intently.

I crossed my arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

A small smile spread across her face. “I think you’re great, amazing even. You’re really finding your way, and you’ve got a great guy in your life. Like I said, you’re lucky.”

“It’s not all luck.”

She squeezed my hand. “I know.”

I yawned.

“All right, I’ll let you get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.”

I smiled, and it wasn’t forced. “I do, and I’m in even more of a hurry than usual to get home.”

“Do you share a room with him every night?”

“Yes.” There was no reason to pretend.

“My little sister, shacking up with a beach boy.”

“He’s more than a beach boy.”

“I know.” She patted my hand. “I love you, Carly. I know I haven’t done a good job of showing you that, but I do.”

“I love you too.”

We walked out to our cars, and I felt like a weight had been taken off me. One late night chat couldn’t erase the pain she’d caused me, but it was a step in the right direction. Maybe one day our relationship would be normal again—or as close to normal as it had ever been.

Macon was already asleep by the time I got home that night. Sometimes our opposite schedules were frustrating, but there was always something nice about slipping in next to him. He mumbled something incoherently before he cuddled me against him.