“Still, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. People are saying Gansett is the next Martha’s Vineyard. Sky’s the limit, bro, and you’re in on the ground floor.”

“So you still think it’s a good idea to buy the place?”

“If I didn’t think so, I would’ve said so.” Frank was the one person from his life in Providence who’d been out to the island to see the marina because Mac trusted his brother’s instincts and wanted his opinion. “You’ve got your work cut out for you to undo years of neglect, but that’s nothing you can’t handle.”

Frank’s assurances helped to calm the wave of panic that had been growing since he left their parents’ home earlier.

“You’re going to sign those papers tomorrow and take the plunge, because if you don’t, you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering what might’ve happened if you had.”

“That’s very true.”

“Sometimes you’ve just got to go for it, Mac, and let the chips fall where they will. Either it’ll be a success or it won’t, but the only failure here would be in not trying.”

“Thanks, Frankie. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”

“Dad means well. You know he does, but sometimes he spouts off without thinking. Don’t let him fill your mind with doubts. This is what you want, Mac. Go for it.”

“I’m going to.”

“Good.” Frank’s gaze shifted to something in the street, and his smile lit up his face. “Here comes my girl, and she’s brought friends. Cute friends.”

Mac looked toward the street and saw JoAnn, Frank’s girlfriend since high school, coming down the sidewalk with three other girls in tow. He immediately zeroed in on one of them. She was petite with long blonde hair, an arresting face and eyes that danced with glee at something one of her friends was saying.

Mac felt like he’d been sucker-punched watching her come closer.

“Earth to Mac,” Frank said, drawing his attention off the blonde goddess.

“Wh-who is that?”

“Huh?”

“The blonde with JoAnn. Who is she?”

“That’s her friend Linda from PC,” he said, referring to Providence College.

“Introduce me.”

“Um, okay…”

JoAnn came up the stairs and launched herself at Frankie, laying a wet, sloppy kiss on him. “God, this week was endless.”

“For me, too, baby.”

The two of them had been mad about each other from the moment they met in high school when Jo’s family moved to the city. Frank had come home from the first day of school professing he’d met his future wife, and they’d been together ever since.

Keeping an arm around JoAnn, Frank said, “Ladies, this is my brother, Mac. Mac, meet Josie, Linda and Kathy.”