“That’s right. I’m giving you shares in the G&G and The Marshes. Grady’s ten percent, which he gave me to hire you in the first place, and ten percent more from me. I own forty, you twenty, and the rest ten. You will always be my partner at the G&G, always be our family, and that’ll keep you coming back to make sure we’re following the rules.”

Our whole family busts into wild applause over his generosity.

With her eyes full of tears, Marina rushes into Wade’s arms for a warm, surprise embrace that makes him teary, too.

“Thank you, Wade. Thank you,” is all she manages to say, but it’s enough.

Wade holds his beer high and says loudly, “To Marnie!”

“To Marnie!” the group returns, toasting and cheering.

“Now, I’m done,” Wade announces. “Let the games resume.”

Activity continues in a flurry of gameplay and congratulations. Leonie wraps Marina up in a tight hug, saying, “You deserve it.” Others follow suit, a train of well-wishers and unabashed support.

But soon, when everyone’s attention diverts back to games and snacks, I look for her and can’t find her. I try the kitchen, the bathrooms, and even the bedrooms, thinking she might have needed some quiet. Nothing.

Catching sight of Leonie at the Tickety-Boo table, she points toward the front door, motioning for me to go outside.

I find Marina in The Beast, lying on a blanket on the truck bed. I climb in beside her, and she scoots over to make room. We stare up into the inky night speckled with stars—they are innumerable and delicate, tiny flecks of wonder, like each could hold another love story, and ours twinkles right back at them. Lying with her, relaxing under the massive universe, fills me with gratitude for my universe—her.

Many gentle moments pass. Her hand slips into mine.

“I’m going to be a business consultant,” she says softly.

“Yes.”

“I’m a business owner.”

“Yes,” I chuckle.

“I have a big, beautiful family.”

“Yes.”

She rolls over me, sitting up and straddling me. She nestles close, grinding against me through the thin fabric of her panties while my hands drift easily up her skirt. “I have you.”

“Always.”

She leans down, taking my bottom lip between hers for a tugging kiss. “Here’s what’s going to happen,” she smirks. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll move me in, once and for all, and then, we’ll spend the next forty-eight hours with our pets, on our dock, in our kitchen, in our bed, at our place.”

“Good, glad to hear you say it. I added you to the deed once the cats moved in. I knew you wouldn’t be far behind. It is our place, Marina.”

She gasps. “Grady, you didn’t have to⁠—”

“Darling, I wanted to. I need you to know it’s our home, our little nest.”