“I hope I make the right decision.” She dropped down in the sand. “I saw you talking to Aida when we were on the beach earlier. Was she...very upset?”

“That you’re still talking to Dutton? No. She’s handling the news surprisingly well.”

“I’m glad. The last thing I want is to hurt her.”

Marlow had known Aida much longer than Claire. She hadn’t met Claire until Aida had introduced them, and that was after Aida had learned about the affair between Aida’s husband and Claire. But Marlow had liked Claire from the start. She was down-to-earth, inherently kind, easy to be around. “I think she understands that you’re a victim of the situation, too.”

Claire pushed the bottle into the sand beside her so that it wouldn’t fall over. “How is it that you’re able to keep your life on such an even keel?”

Marlow hadn’t had any serious romantic relationships. That was how. She’d been so driven in her career, so determined to get her degree, start her practice and build a name for herself. She’d devoted all her focus and energy to those things. Then the pandemic had hit, and she’d been cut off from almost all other activities. That was when she’d realized just how tenuous human existence was. There had to be more to living than professional success. People said that all the time, of course, and she agreed. It made sense. But she’d been Icarus, flying too close to the sun—was never truly committed to achieving the proper balance until the past year, which was why she was pulling away from work to devote more of herself to her friends and family. Inviting Claire and Aida to the island to spend the summer with her had been part of that effort. “I haven’t been through what you’ve been through. Just losing your house would be catastrophic. But losing your business, too? And finding out the man you’re dating is already married? You’re holding up well, considering.”

Claire grinned at her response. “Well, when you put it that way, I guess I’m lucky I’m still functioning at all.”

“Exactly. Things will get easier, though. Don’t worry.”

Aida and Reese put down their wine glasses and started toward the water. “We’re going for a swim. You guys interested?” Aida called as they passed.

“I’m too comfortable,” Marlow said. She twisted around to see Aida and Reese plunge into the sea, could hear their laughter as the waves tumbled over them.

“Aida’s going to sleep with your housekeeper’s son,” Claire said, her voice low. “You know that, right?”

“Maybe she needs to sleep with someone to reassure her that she’s still got it.” Marlow grimaced. “I just wish it could be with someone else.”

“It won’t cause any problems between you and Rosemary, will it?”