Sanjay took a swig from his water bottle. The room didn’t have a ceiling fan and the breeze through the open window did little to combat the heat. She watched him while trying not to look like she was watching him. His thick dark hair was slightly longer, and the summer clothes—crew-neck T-shirt, cargo shorts—reminded her of his off-the-charts body.

“What a good friend you are to make this trip for Gemma,” said Celeste.

“Well, it’s not entirely selfless,” Sanjay said. “I’ve heard all about the legendary Provincetown light. I’m not sure if Gemma mentioned, but I’m a photographer, so I brought my camera and plan to make the most of it.”

Celeste nodded with enthusiasm. “Painters and photographers come here from all over the world. Starting with, oh, Charles Hawthorne back in the 1890s. There was Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, Franz Kline, Max Ernst, Helen Frankenthaler. I don’t know as much about photographers but I’m sure you’re in good company.”

Sanjay grinned. “I’m looking forward to the sunset tonight.”

Gemma wanted to see it with him, but she wasn’t holding her breath for an invitation.

“Where are you staying?” Celeste said.

“Alvie hooked him up with a room at Maud’s,” Gemma said.

“Oh, don’t be silly! I have an extra bedroom down the hall. I know I really should rent out the rooms but I’ve never gotten used to the idea of having strangers in my house all summer. That’s how you know I’m not a native Cape Codder.”

Gemma didn’t dare look at Sanjay, silently bargaining with the gods of fate to let him accept the offer.

“Thanks, that’s very generous of you,” Sanjay said. “But I don’t want to cancel on the other house at the last minute.” His voice and expression were so even-keeled, she could almost believe him. There was nearly no tension, no hint of subtext: I can’t stand sleeping under the same roof as my ex.

Stop thinking like that, she told herself. He was there. That was all that mattered.

Celeste left for the shop, and Sanjay checked his phone. Gemma fidgeted with her bench pin, an attachment that functioned like a third hand when she was drilling or filing. Reunited with her equipment, she was itching to get back to work. But even more than that, she found she wanted to spend time with Sanjay. The way her heart fluttered when he pulled up to the curb in the U-Haul was like if a dozen birds took flight in her chest.

“Thanks again, Sanjay. You’re a lifesaver.”

He looked up. “No problem. Like I said, I’m going to make the most of the trip.”

An awkward silence settled between them.

“So . . . the interview’s tomorrow?” he said.

She nodded.