A cell phone buzzed on his desk. He didn’t move to answer it.

“You okay?”

He rubbed his face and sighed as if she was yet another problem on a very long list. “What can I do for you, Alice?”

She held up the cans and sat down without being invited. “It’s hot and I’ve finished cleaning Wanderer. She needs a few minor repairs.” Sipping her drink, she ran through the manifest, reading it upside down while Nick made some notes next to her own.

“Thanks. Customers, eh? Can’t live without them but, jeez, sometimes …”

Everyone moaned privately about difficult customers and there was a punching bag in one of the storage sheds so people could vent if required. But Nick believed most people only complained if their expectations weren’t met and it was everyone’s job to meet them. It was why Pirellis’ won both state and national tourism awards each year. Alice knew Nick thrived on turning a difficult customer into a grateful one so it was unusual for him to allow anyone to ruffle him.

She recalled what Missy had said about Nick being out of sorts after his visit to the café and, matching the information with his body language on the jetty, she decided to wade right in. “Did a customer tick you off or was it Jess?”

Nick’s open face shut down and his eyes narrowed warily as if Alice had just crossed a line. She held up her hands. “I’m not criticizing her. It’s just when I was emptying the upholstery cleaner, I noticed the two of you talking and Jess didn’t look happy.”

For a few beats, the only sound in the room was the whoosh of carbon dioxide as Nick lifted the ring pull on his limonata. “Yeah. She’s pissed off with me.”

Alice wanted to ask why but something indefinable kept her silent.

Nick took a swig from his can, swallowed and then gave a tight laugh as he caught the look on her face. “No need to go all evil twin on me. It’s not like it’s a secret Jess is ticked off with me. But if it’s okay with you, don’t tell Libs you saw us arguing. She can be a bit … touchy about Jess.”

It was the first time Nick had ever mentioned her twin’s protective instincts toward her friend, and just like that, they were coconspirators. “Tell me about it! None of us can say anything against her. And if we dare, we’re instantly guilted about her difficult childhood and how hard she’s worked to get where she is. Then we’re told—” Alice raised her fingers in quotation signs, “—‘instead of criticizing, you should admire how much Jess has achieved.’”

Nick returned her grin and an unexpected niggle of twin betrayal snagged her glee. Alice ignored it. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything to Libs, but it’s nice to know someone understands.”