“You’re out of your mind, man,” he muttered as he took the back stairs from the Beachcomber and crossed the street to the Sand & Surf to see if she might be working in the gift shop.

Laura was at the desk when he came in. “Hey, cuz,” she said. “What’s up?”

“Have you seen Abby, by any chance?”

“Not tonight, why?”

“No reason.” Adam decided to go with evasive so his entire family wouldn’t be buzzing about him and Abby before anything significant had even happened between them. “I had a question for her and couldn’t find her. She’s not answering her phone.”

“She’s probably out going wild,” Laura said with a laugh. “That’s her goal for this summer.”

“So I’ve heard,” Adam said, not at all comforted by Laura’s offhand comment. “How are you? Feeling better?” She still seemed paler than usual.

“A little. Turns out I’m not sick—exactly.”

“Oh no?”

“Can you keep a secret?”

“I’m insulted you would ask.”

Smiling, Laura crooked her finger for him to come closer. “I’m pregnant.”

“Oh my God, that’s awesome!” When she seemed to grimace, he said, “Isn’t it?”

“It’s unexpected as is the fact that there are two of them in there.”

“Two.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Holy shit. Twins.”

“Three kids in one year. Holy shit is right.”

“Well, um, congratulations?”

“Thank you, and if you say better me than you, I’ll smack you.”

“I didn’t actually say it.”

Smiling, Laura gave him a play smack to the arm that connected with the tattoo.

The flash of pain took his breath away. “New tattoo,” he said through gritted teeth. “Why does everyone have to hit me there?”

“You got a tattoo? Let me see!”

Adam took off his jacket and rolled up the sleeve of his shirt, exposing angry red skin that would someday resemble Gansett Island. At the moment, it looked like burnt pizza.

“Ouch. That looks like it hurts.”

“Just a little.”

“Sorry about the smack. What brought this on?”

“An impulse, I guess you could say.”

“So, Sarah said she gave you the overview of our reservation system challenge?”

“She did, and I’ve already given it some thought. I’ll be by to work on it in the morning.”

“That’s great, Adam. Thanks.”

“I’m going to press on. If you see Abby, tell her to call me.”

Laura eyed him as if she was intrigued and wanted to ask more. But thankfully, all she said was, “I will.”

“Congrats again, and tell Owen for me, too.”

“I will.”