It was always difficult, pretending to know less than she did about these people. She probably shouldn’t have even mentioned the brand Sophie worked for, and she definitely wouldn’t clarify that she knew exactly what the dress was.

“It’s nice, I was actually looking at—”

Her words were drowned out by Paul clinking a fork to his glass, having moved over to stand by the marble island. He was in his yachtsman glory, auburn hair pushed back and pale pink sweater tied loosely around his neck.

“This won’t take long—”

“It’d better not,” Guy cut in, completely serious.

Alex couldn’t help but clock the flash of frustration crossing Paul’s face. She had heard about Guy’s condescension countless times through text, but it was quite another thing to see it in person.

“I just wanted to thank you for coming,” he continued in his light, almost breathy voice, “I feel so lucky seeing you all here together, even if there was an argument or two on the way down.”

Alex sarcastically hid her face behind her cocktail napkin, with no choice but to lean into the light mockery. She caught Danial out of the corner of her eye, looking embarrassed as well.

“In all seriousness, though, I love you guys. I can’t wait to share this incredible trip!” He raised his glass, moving toward Alex to cheer with her first. “See? I kept it short,” he said, shooting an irritated look in Guy’s direction. Before she knew what she was doing, she had pulled Paul into a hug, more to keep him from sniping at his husband-to-be than anything else.

“Hey, do you want to play?” Danial approached her from behind, touching her arm gently to get her attention and holding up three pétanque boules.

She pulled away from Paul before nodding, secretly wishing someone would save her. “There’s a pétanque court on the boat?”

“Of course there is.” Paul smiled, ushering them toward the sliding glass door. “Well, a mini one. A regulation one would have been a tough fit.”

Danial and Alex walked out to the deck, cool and clear and illuminated by the ample city lights surrounding them. From the corner of her eye, she caught Paul watching them from inside, miming the throwing gesture from the game. There was, indeed, a miniature pétanque court to one side of the afterdeck, fenced in with a small railing. She shook her head, laughing quietly to herself.

“You remember how to play, right?” Danial asked, handing her a set of heavy metal boules.

“Are you kidding?”