“I have a life in New York,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be my whole life, but I can’t just leave it behind. I can’t live here full-time. As much as I want to be with you.”

Tito reached for her hand.

“I was just thinking: If Celeste could change her mind about marriage after all these years, then the least I can do is visit the Big Apple.”

Elodie set her glass down on the nearest table.

“Don’t tease me.”

“Is that a yes?” he said.

Elodie threw her arms around him. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

The dock became a dance floor.

Tito was a nostalgic DJ: The music was 1970s heavy—Elton John, Tom Petty, Carly Simon. Celeste, the beaming bride, had kicked off her shoes while Jack twirled her around. Beside them, Tito and Elodie danced like they were the only two people in the universe.

Gemma watched from the sidelines as Sanjay moved around taking photos.

“Hey,” Alvie said, beaming. She handed Gemma a glass of champagne. “A toast: to the summer of love.”

Gemma held the glass by her side. “Alvie, what’s Sanjay doing here?”

Alvie shrugged. “It’s not my party. But I can say that a few days ago Maud became very interested in making sure we’d have some good photos from tonight. Unusually interested.”

The sun was starting to set, a pinkish hue casting the boatyard in an almost surreal light. The bay was at high tide, the water lapping against the dock. Somewhere nearby, a cork popped.

The song “American Girl” poured out of the speakers, and Sanjay put his camera down long enough to take a break at the bar, downing a glass of water. She walked over, her heart beating fast.

“Hey,” she said.

He poured a second glass of water and handed it to her.

“Hey. Sorry for just showing up like this. Maud reached out to me. She said they needed a photographer for a party tonight and for Carnival next week. She made me an offer I couldn’t turn down.”

The summer’s not over yet.

Gemma bit her lip.

“Did . . . Monica come with you?”

His eyes met hers searchingly, and the surge of emotion she felt took her breath away.

“No. She didn’t,” he said, his voice low. He reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her face.

“Why not?” she said.

“Because I realized I had feelings for someone else. Feelings that made it unfair for me to be in a relationship with her.”

Gemma swallowed hard. The sky was almost dark. A firefly glowed nearby, its tiny light like a winking star. She stepped closer to him.

“So . . . what now?” she said.