The regatta was two days away, and the land had already been surveyed. In fact, Ally had drawn a map and handed it over to Duncan so the guardsmen could set everything up. Louisa had arranged for local vendors to take part in the event, and she’d strategically assigned them each a spot next to another vendor that wasn’t a direct competitor. The amount of thought that had gone into it was astonishing, and trying to pretend sitting in Ally’s car staring out the window was necessary for work was truly one of the most ridiculous things Louisa had ever done.

“Ooh, I love this song.” She turned up the radio and started singing: “‘Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking . . . into the future.’”

“Those are not the words. And don’t try to change the subject.” Ally turned down the volume just as Cody emerged from Queequeg’s with McKenzie at his side.

Queequeg’s, the cozy restaurant Louisa had always loved, was the perfect spot for a date. With its gray shingled siding and the adorable deck with outdoor seating, it was charmingly Nantucket. She faintly recalled McKenzie had written a glowing review of the popular spot on her popular blog.

Must be nice to be popular.

“Oh,” Ally said. “Now I get it. You’re spying.”

“Not spying.”

“Stalking?”

“Not stalking.”

“Louisa, this is textbook stalking. You need to get a grip.”

She sighed. “What does he see in her?”

“Nice curves, great hair—” Ally shoved a french fry into her mouth—“hard to say.”

Louisa groaned. “He never looks at me like that.”

“Vaguely annoyed and ready to run? You’re right, he doesn’t.”

“You think he’s annoyed?”

Ally squinted. “No, I’m just trying to make you feel better.”

Louisa sighed.

Ally reached over and took Louisa’s hand. “I’m sorry, Lou. I know you like him a lot.”

I love him a lot.

But she didn’t say that out loud. She’d never say that out loud. Because of all the humiliating things she’d done, loving someone who didn’t love her back ranked right up there at the top.

Louisa woke up on Saturday—regatta day. She had no reason to be nervous. She’d put in all the hours necessary to make this a great event. She’d contacted vendors and organized booths. She’d spoken with Manny and Deborah Wirth the day before, and they planned to be there, though Deborah was definitely struggling now that the day had arrived.

Louisa assured them it would be an uplifting day—a great way to honor their son and bring awareness to water-safety issues that could help save lives in the future. The day would be about the details—something she was very good at.

So why was her stomach churning the second her eyes opened that morning?

Her phone buzzed on the table beside her bed.

Are you ready to kick some serious butt?