Walsh is awake. She glances up from where she’s sitting on the edge of her bed, face buried in her hands. Her phone dings from somewhere under her covers.

I set the plates on the desk. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

“Are you sure?” Her face is pale and she still looks more zombie than human.

She wobbles to her feet and stumbles to the closet.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting dressed.”

“You need to go back to bed. You’re not okay.”

“I’m fine. Snorkeling’s up next, right? You need me.”

“I’ll survive.” Gripping her shoulder, I firmly guide her back to bed and push her down until she’s sitting. I hand her the plate I filled with bland foods: crackers, bread, pudding, and a banana.

She wrinkles her nose like I just handed her a plate of slugs. She picks up a cracker and nibbles the edge. “Did you do the beach walk this morning?”

“Gustavo talked me into the long hike.”

“How was it?”

“It was good. Really good.”

“Was Graeme there?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to run interference.”

I shake my head. “Not your fault.”

Graeme. My intestines squirm and I slide into the desk chair and poke my salad with a fork. Have I really been wrong about him this whole time? I dig my phone out of my pocket and plug it in to charge. An email notification pops up, a reminder that registration for fall business school classes closes in a week, along with my task list.

Task #1: Defeat Graeme Crawford-Collins

I gnaw on my lower lip. Snatching my phone, I connect to Wi-Fi and open up a new text to Christina.

Hey, can you do me a favor?

I shovel a few bites of food in my mouth while I wait for her to respond.

Sup?

Are you still friendly with Miriam in IT?

Sure, why

Can you ask her something on the down-low… can you find out if IT replaced Graeme’s work phone about a year ago, shortly after he started his job?

Um, of course but… WHY?

Is there something juicy going on? Tell me!

Just want to confirm something. Thanks!!

Walsh groans behind me. She gingerly places the cracker back on her plate, rolls into bed, and flings her arm over her eyes.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She burps loudly. “I’ll be fine. I’m just not ready for food yet.”

The clock on my phone reminds me that I don’t have much time until the beginner snorkeling excursion departs. Quickly finishing my lunch, I scoop up my bathing suit and wet suit and head toward the bathroom to change. I pause with my hand on the door handle.

“Hey, Walsh?”

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever been wrong about someone?”

“All the time.”

“I mean, have you ever thought the worst of someone but it turns out they’re not that bad?”