Tito climbed down the steps and removed his thick gloves.

“The owner went fishing.”

“Very funny,” she said.

“No, literally. The family is on a fishing trip all week. I’m just helping out here with some odds and ends until they get back.”

“Oh. Well, that explains things, I suppose.”

“You want to lease this space?” His dark eyes focused on her with a sharp intensity she hadn’t noticed before. He was actually quite attractive, in a ruggedly handsome sort of way. Not her type, of course. But then, she didn’t have a type. She was finished with all that nonsense.

“I’m thinking about it, yes.”

He seemed amused. “For what?”

“Well, as you know, I’m in the jewelry business. I was thinking of opening a little summer outpost here, a sort of . . . Pavlin & Co by the sea.” The idea came to her shortly after her CFO’s latest alarming email. Did she have any actual interest in opening a shop in that town? Of course not. But she was certain that as soon as her sister got wind of the news, she’d change her mind about continuing to delay the auction contract.

“Well, that’s a fine idea,” he said. “Tourists seem to love buying jewelry while they’re here. Not sure why. It seems people splurge for things on vacation they wouldn’t spend a dime on at home.” He smiled at her. “Can I give you a tour?”

She didn’t need a tour. She could see the entire space from her vantage point in the doorway. But for some reason, she didn’t mind the excuse to spend a few more minutes with her housemate.

She smiled back. “That would be delightful.”

Race Point Beach at sunset was one of Provincetown’s great gifts. One of life’s great gifts, really. Celeste followed the narrow path shrouded in tall seagrass, Jack a few paces ahead carrying their folding chairs. When they cleared the dunes, the wide expanse of deep blue sea seemed to stretch into infinity.

The afternoon revelers had decamped to the bars and restaurants, leaving a mellow crowd of mostly couples patiently waiting for the famed sunset.

They settled into the chairs and Jack passed her the mini thermos filled with chilled rosé they picked up from Perry’s on the way. She took a sip and dug her toes into the sand.

“So you’ve officially given up the entire third floor to Gemma,” Jack said, smiling at her.

“Not the entire third floor. There’s still the other spare bedroom.”

“I’m just teasing you.”

“You’re the one who wanted me to be more in touch with my family. So . . . be careful what you wish for,” she said.