Brooke says, “You’re the executive director of the CFRF. And my nephew, Charlie…” She stops and her eyes shine with tears. “We lost him to cystic fibrosis a few years ago.”

“I’m so sorry,” Jake says. “And I didn’t mean to be flip when I said everything works out the way it’s supposed to. In my business, I know that’s not the case. How old was he?”

“Twenty-six,” Brooke says. “He was my sister’s only child.”

“That’s so difficult,” Jake says. “I lost my twin sister to CF when we were thirteen.”

“I know,” Brooke says. “I read the profile of you in Time. I just want you to know how grateful I am for all the work you’ve done, the money you’ve raised for research. You became my sister’s personal hero.” When she blinks, a single tear rolls down her flushed cheek. “I can’t believe I’m talking to you here, at the Chicken Box.”

Jake wants to take the conversation in a lighter direction, but how? He has no experience talking to women like this, as evidenced by the fact that Brooke is now crying. “Do you live here year-round?”

“I do,” Brooke says. “I teach English at the high school.”

“You…what?” Jake says. He feels a surge of energy course through him. “Did you know my friend Mallory Blessing?”

Brooke’s face drops. “I only knew of her,” she says. “Dr. Major hired me to replace Mallory.”

Before Jake can react—this is Mallory’s replacement?—Cooper appears, sweaty and grinning.

“Why’d you leave?” he asks Brooke. “Band’s just getting started.”

“I was thirsty,” Brooke says. She looks between Cooper and Jake. “Do you guys know each other?”

“Best friends,” Coop says. He lifts one of the unclaimed Coronas off the bar and takes a swallow. Coop looks at Jake. “Brooke is here with Mallory’s friend Apple. It’s Apple’s birthday.”

Whoa, Jake thinks. It’s a small island. He listened to Mallory talk about Apple for years and years—her best friend, the guidance counselor at the high school, married to Hugo, mother of twin boys who might be in high school or even college by now. But Jake never met Apple and Apple doesn’t know Jake exists.

“I’m sure Apple is wondering where I’ve gotten to,” Brooke says. She offers Jake a tentative smile. “Want to join us on the dance floor?”

Jake knows the fun, good-sport answer is Sure, why not? But dancing up front at the Chicken Box is too far out of his comfort zone.

“You kids go have fun,” he says, and he feels only the slightest pinch of regret when Cooper takes Brooke by the hand and leads her away.