“Did we say her name three times already and accidentally summon her?” Sloane grumbled.

Brady snorted. “My money’s on she’s been waiting in the shadows like some kind of vampire, ready to strike.”

“Yeah. A vampire who feeds on gossip and self-tanner.”

The brief moment of desire that had zipped through Sloane transformed into a familiar stress as they got out of the truck. Much like the lunch at the garden, Sloane hadn’t been 100 percent on what to wear. Sure, boating on the bay nearly always meant swimming in it, but she’d had a moment of crisis trying to find something to wear over her swimsuit. She’d been forced to throw on a sheer black pullover that in some light looked like a dress you wore to a funeral and in others something one might wear with lingerie.

It was versatile like that.

Which was not a point in its favor as she took in Carol’s white knit crop top and teal shorts. Or Felicity’s yellow sundress that could be seen like a beacon from her spot already sitting on the boat at the dock. Even Ruby and Marcus had on colorful outfits. Brady, too.

Then there was Sloane.

Out there looking like an Italian Morticia Addams.

“Well, aren’t you two just so dang presh,” Carol greeted, all high pitches and accent. Brady threw the arm not toting their bag around Sloane’s shoulder. “We’re going to have to take a lot of pictures while we’re on the water. Especially of you two! There are barely any pictures of you out there. Is there something going on with y’all?”

Sloane smiled so big it hurt.

Not because she was trying to fake polite but because Carol had reminded her of the online world and the one thing Sloane was really putting off doing. Writing the happily-ever-after blog post of her and Guy finally getting together had been a crapshoot so far. Agent Rizzie had encouraged Sloane to take her time to write the perfect post…but not too much time.

And now, here was Carol, reminding Sloane without meaning to that she had a horrible case of writer’s block.

Luckily, Grumpy Brady was Charming Brady today and swooped in without missing a beat.

“I’m still working on finding my good angle. You know, one where I’m not a laughing iguana or look like I’m three sheets to the wind. Maybe you can give me a few pointers today. I’ve learned the whole bend-and-snap routine, but I don’t think that’s for pictures.”

A laugh escaped Sloane before she could make sure to keep it on the quiet side. It was like a gunshot in the morning air, and the people on the boat all turned toward them. Brady raised his eyebrow with bemusement.