Andy shrugged. “Do you think she tells me anything? I’m just glad she’s having a good time with someone. This divorce business is hard on her. I think she’s overwhelmed.”

They circled the food table again, choosing cookies and sweets. Friends of Christina’s wandered up to say hello. Christina introduced them to Andy. After a while, she didn’t mention his surname, but merely said, “This is my friend Andy,” because the name Bittlesman was so impressive people forgot to talk and simply stared. But some of her friends already knew who he was and were glad to see him. Peter Berry talked to him about deep-sea fishing and promised to take him out some summer day. Bart Manville invited Andy to ride out to Great Point to see the seals. And two of Christina’s prettiest friends who ran shops in town invited Andy to stop by their stores. They were full of Christmas cheer and winked at Christina as they chatted with Andy. Christina rolled her eyes at them.

It was nearly eleven when the crowd began to thin out.

“I should go home,” Christina told Andy. “Busy day tomorrow.”

Back in the car, Andy said, “I like your friends. Especially Peter and Bart. You know a lot of cool people.”

Christina smiled. “I do. Nantucket attracts cool people. Or you could call them eccentrics. A lot of environmentalists live here—well, you and your father are aware of that. The world is changing, and this island, because it’s an isolated area, is a good place to test stuff like ocean water quality, eel grass, bird migration, and climate change.”

“You feel like you belong here,” Andy said.

“I do. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Andy was quiet after that.

When he pulled into her driveway, Christina asked him in for a drink.

He put the car in park but left it running. “I’d like to come in, but I don’t know if I should.” Andy paused. “Oh, man, I really want to kiss you.”

Christina leaned forward.

They sat in the car kissing like a pair of teenagers until Andy’s elbow hit the horn. They jumped apart.

“I hope I didn’t wake people up,” Andy said.

Christina smiled. “I don’t care if you did. But I’ve got to go inside. Really. Until Christmas Day, my business takes priority.”

“Before you go, Christina…this is awkward. I wish I could help you with my father and the rent hike. But I’m afraid Father would be resistant to anything I propose. He and I are locked in a battle right now. He wants me to stay in New York. I want to move here. This is a tough time for him, too, with Delia getting divorced. He’s getting old and losing control. I want to get through Christmas before going to war with him.”