Cal grips Dylan’s shoulder and looks him in the eye. “Jack regretted not being the dad you needed. He should have been more understanding when you were younger. He was hoping the road trip would help you the way it had helped him.”

Dylan stares at his uncle, dumbstruck. Then he grins. “That son of a bitch.”

The corner of Cal’s mouth pulls up. “Did it work?”

“Perfectly.”

Cal laughs. “Would you do it again?” he asks after a beat.

“The road trip? In a heartbeat.” That experience was a defining moment in his life.

“Good man.” Cal lifts his glass. “To Jack.”

“Jack.” Dylan taps his glass to Cal’s.

“And all the women—or woman—we loved before.”

“You just had to toss that in.” He smirks but drinks a finger of scotch anyway.

“Hey, I’m the old fart here. Someone needs to coldcock some sense into you kids.” Cal looks at Dylan’s empty glass. “I’m gonna get a refill. You want one?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

Cal smacks his shoulder and starts to walk away only to stop. “That advice I gave you as a kid about love and music and shit? Worst advice ever. Don’t be stupid like me.” With a wink, he strides over to the bar.

Dylan inhales the salty ocean air and takes out his phone. He lays the device faceup on the rail. Only for a minute or two. Does he really want to do what he’s about to do? He tosses back the rest of the Macallan and sets the glass down. Ice rattles.

Yes, he does.

He picks up his phone and downloads the Facebook app. Once he’s logged in and reactivates his profile, he immediately brings up Joy’s profile. She hasn’t actively posted lately, either that or she’s set everything to private, which means he can’t see a single post. They aren’t Facebook friends. But there’s one thing he can see. Her relationship status.

“It’s complicated,” he murmurs, then looks up and out to the horizon.

His heart races. His blood pounds in his ears. The breeze ruffles his hair.

Are she and Mark having trouble? Did Mark cheat on her? Are they getting a divorce? What’s going on between them?

What does it’s complicated even mean?

One thing, as far as Dylan’s concerned. Joy’s life isn’t going as she planned.

He pockets his phone and goes in search of the bride and groom. He has the sudden urge to return to New York. If there’s one thing he learned from Jack, it’s not to wait until you’re dead to let someone know how you feel.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” Chase asks when Dylan can pull him away from his guests.

“Are any of the studios available in the morning?”