She stomps off before I can answer. The Arrow agent sitting against the back wall of the Sullivan property gets up to follow her.

“How’s she doing?” It’s a question I ask Alex too often. But my vocabulary for these situations is limited.

“Other than being sunburnt?” I did notice the skin below her eyes was a smidge red. “She refused sunblock, and with her blonde hair and pale skin, she should wear it, but…I think she’s tired of being coddled. I think she’s progressing from profound sadness into anger.”

“Stages of grief. At least she’s progressing.”

“I wish I could undo it for her. Just make it all go away.”

“We all do.” I remember what the therapist back at the house said. “But Sophia ultimately has to navigate her recovery. You can’t do it for her.”

“I know.”

The gate clicks, and Sophia’s blonde hair disappears down the side path.

“Want to go for a walk? We can give them some privacy.”

“Sure. Probably best Sophia doesn’t feel like I’m trying to wiggle my way into meeting her new therapist.”

“Judging by Jack’s reception of the woman, I don’t think she’s going to be her new therapist.”

“Bad?”

“You could say that. He was kind of an ass.” I’ve never seen Jack act so cold. I kick off my flip-flops and toss them near the chair at the back wall.

“That’s unfortunate,” Alex comments. I agree but don’t want to talk about it. I want to get back to enjoying a lazy afternoon at the beach.

Hand in hand, Alex and I stroll along the water’s edge, barefoot. The summer sun warms our backs.

“What were the two of you talking about?” Alex asks.

“Marriage.” I’m getting better about being upfront with Alex.

“Really?” I’m well aware she’s checking me out. Searching to see if my hand is touching my mouth or my ears. She’s probably annoyed she can’t examine my pupils since I’m wearing sunglasses. I’m learning all the tricks of her trade. They actually aren’t too different from some of the things the military teaches. Interpreting body language is an important skill.

“Yeah,” I answer, stoic. I place effort in looking straight ahead and keeping my jaw muscles relaxed. She tries to pull her hand away from mine, but I don’t let that happen.

“Jack was saying he knew Cassie was the one after his first weekend with her.”

“Yeah?” She grins widely. Our arms swing in pace with our stride. “I call bullshit on that. They had ups and downs. I was there during their whirlwind courtship.”

“Interesting. Maybe you’ll have to call him out.”

“Maybe I will. I’m good at reading people, you know.” She’s teasing me.

“Are you?”

“I am.” She thrusts her chin out, but she’s still smiling.

“Let me quiz you, then. At what point did I know you were the one?”

“I’m…” She stops walking, and since I’m not letting her hand go, I also stop. “The one?”

“Yeah, you.” Wisps of her hair blow past her cheeks. I’ve surprised her. I can tell the way her lips open ever so slightly and how she’s mindlessly using one hand to wrangle those fly-aways.