Tilda answers.

“Til,” Ayers says. “I can’t make it in tonight. I know it’s trash of me to bag on you so late but honestly…” Honestly, the mere idea of lifting trays, opening wine, remembering orders—nope, it’s beyond her today.

“Don’t worry about it,” Tilda says. “We have only thirty on the books. Besides”—here, Tilda lowers her voice—“we all know what happened with Mick.”

“You do?” Ayers says. She’s not sure why she’s surprised; it’s a tiny island, the coconut telegraph and all that. Brigid is probably crowing about her triumph all around town. Ayers wonders if Mick came by to get the ring. Maybe he gave her ring to Brigid; he is just enough of a cheeseball to do exactly that.

“Yeah, he’s staging a sit-in at Cruz Bay Landing. Him and Gordon.”

“A what?”

“He’s been at the bar at CBL since it opened this morning. He has the ring in front of him. He’s stinking drunk and he claims he’s not moving until you take him back. Gordon is tied to his bar stool.”

“You’re kidding me,” Ayers says.

“Not kidding, saw it myself,” Tilda says. “I think AK is going to cut him off soon, but he might have to call the police to get Mick out of there.”

Ayers is slightly revived by the news that Mick is staging a sit-in at Cruz Bay Landing, crying into his beer. So he is upset after all.

“He gave me this whole song and dance about how Brigid was taking a new job at Island Abodes, something he arranged to get her away from him. And not two days later, they’re making out on the beach. I don’t care if he sits at CBL for the rest of his life, I don’t care if he turns into petrified wood and moss grows on him and a bird builds a nest in his hair, I’m not taking him back.”

“Good girl,” Tilda says. “You’re on the schedule Saturday night. I’ll see you then?”

“Yes,” Ayers says. “Thanks, Til.”

Thursday passes in a blur. Friday comes and Ayers doesn’t feel any better. She feels worse—dull, leaden, sluggish, and dizzy. Her coffee tastes sour; food holds no appeal. She doesn’t have to work at La Tapa but she’s supposed to hang out with Maia in the afternoon.

She can’t imagine getting in her truck and driving to Gifft Hill, much less doing some kind of fun, enriching activity. Waterlemon—they were supposed to snorkel at Waterlemon. If Ayers tried to snorkel, she would end up sleeping on the sandy floor of the Caribbean.

She sends Maia a text even though Maia is at school and (technically) not allowed to check her phone: I can’t pick you up, Nut. I’m sick.

Two seconds later (so much for the rules), there’s a response: It’s okay, I’m grounded anyway, plus there’s been drama at home.

Drama? Ayers texts. At home meaning with Huck? This is unusual.

Too much to text, Maia says. Call me later.