I debate following her, but my feet move before my head catches up, and I’m out the door with Elena’s words echoing. Just go to her, Grady.

She doesn’t stop moving until she reaches the end of the old pier, where her shoulders straighten as she inhales the warm spring air. I edge beside her, not knowing what to say, especially since we don’t apologize anymore. Fucking Roy. Should I apologize anyway? I never said I didn’t want her.

But I can’t admit I do, either.

Before I say anything, she giggles, hand to mouth, eyes watering, and shoulders scrunched together. Her cheeks redden with her laughter. I gawk at her, dumbfounded, but can’t help the smile that crests my mouth.

Playing witness to the three stooges back there is funny.

Watching her laugh about it is, too.

Maybe she’s right—I need to relax.

She waves a hand over her face, drying her watery eyes. “Those three… they tickle me every day.”

“Don’t tell them that. They might get the wrong idea and do it for real.”

More laughter erupts, sending a nearby cardinal flapping away. “I could barely hold it together back there. I didn’t want to make him feel bad. He bought it from Walmart. Said it was either that or a box of condoms, ribbed for my pleasure.”

She curls over in giggles like she can’t stop. “Wish you could’ve seen the looks of horror on Wade and Christie’s faces.”

I buckle with laughter, imagining it.

“Did you see the cup size on that thing? I couldn’t fill that with tube socks!” she howls.

“All women are voluptuous porn stars to Roy.”

Her giggle is infectious—I haven’t laughed this hard since before…

“And his cousin,” she cackles. “Gosh, that was the cherry on top.”

“Oh, so you were just playing with me about calling him? Thank God.”

“You know how much I love seeing you get brotherly, Grady Tripp.”

I groan, my laughter dwindling.

“Or were you jealous of jailbird Bobby?” she goads.

“Well, he does have all his teeth and face tatts,” I play along. “I’ll dig it out of the trash if you’re so inclined to call him.”

Her smile fades, but only slightly. “Ah, that’s okay.” She taps her temple. “Already memorized it.”

“Fine, call him. Have a good time. Then, imagine Bobby giving Roy all the juicy details of your date. Do you want those images in that mind?”

She slumps, smirking. “Ah, you just ruined Bobby for me.”

“Better to ruin him before his next sentence starts, right?” I smile, but it falls fast—I was jealous. “I, um, apologize for them, though I know we’re not supposed to do that. The world has left them behind, and they’ve enjoyed watching it go.”