The atmosphere in the pub was buzzing and the upcoming wedding of the local bar owner was the talk of the town. There wasn’t much else to discuss, apparently.

I wiped down the counter and listened as the patrons questioned where Amber was getting married, either here in Cheshire Bay or off in the Mediterranean somewhere near Antonio’s main home? Both were amazing, although it would be hard to beat a tropical wedding near a cerulean sea. But Amber hadn’t disclosed the location – all she’d mentioned was it was going to be on New Year’s Eve. Still, in the twenty-four hours since her announcement, the town hadn’t shut up. I loved it. And I loved how they loved and adored her.

Fingers crossed she decided to at least have some kind of ceremony here, her regulars were like family.

Holden passed me his empty glass. “May I have another?”

I pulled out the dispenser and refilled. At Amber’s Ale he always got brand name soda, at home, on the tight budget he was learning to live with since he’d been cut off and was still trying to help his sister, he got the budget brand, and honestly, it was comparable but not the same.

“I was wondering if we could talk?”

Even under the pub lighting, it wasn’t hard to see Holden pale. He swallowed and set his glass down. “Okay.”

I swatted his hand. “Oh relax, it’s nothing serious.”

He visibly relaxed. “Thank goodness. I’m not sure I could handle any more distressing news, between the Planetary Sciences Department drastically cutting my hours down, in addition to already struggling with a reduced use of the telescope, I just don’t think I can—"

“Holden, relax. It’s not bad news.” I had a plan. Especially after a conversation last night with Amber. I leaned on the bar, my forearms resting on the cool surface. “I have a way of helping you with your budget. A summer proposition, if you will.”

“Oh?” He took another sip of his soda. “Like a side expedition on our upcoming road trip?”

We’d been planning a weeklong escape, ending on the September long weekend, but neither of us could decide where we wanted to go, and how to go about travelling. Did we fly somewhere and rent a car back? Or drive somewhere first, and then catch a flight? There were so many options to figure out, but it would come. We still had time.

“Let’s go upstairs and talk.”

“Right now?” He glanced around.

I shrugged. “Why not?”

It was my scheduled break time, and the floor was fine. The other server could totally manage things for the fifteen minutes I’d be gone, plus the cook was around if anything serious should happen.

“Lead the way.”

We exited the pub and wrapped around the side to the metal staircase. Ascending it, I entered the code on the keypad and waited for the beep. Antonio had installed a top-notch security system; his way of keeping Amber, and me by proxy, safe while he was away.

I closed the door after Holden was inside.

“What do you think?”

He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at me, eyes narrowing. “You didn’t cut your hair, and it’s not a different colour.” He continued scanning. “You haven’t lost any weight.” He grimaced. “But I’m missing something, aren’t I?”

I laughed. “Yeah, but I wasn’t clear. The thoughts run faster through my head than I vocalize.”

“So, what are you thinking?”

I inhaled and relaxed, something my shrink had encouraged. It made me pause and think before I spoke.

“Do you like this place?” I waved my hands around as I spun. “It’s got a great location, right on the beach. It’s pretty soundproof if we seal the windows and flip on the AC. And best of all, it’s all paid for.”

“What? I’m missing something here.”

“Amber’s moving to the yacht up in Stewart Surf.” The monster boat was too big to park at Wharf Point, so it had to moored further up the island. “She’s staying there until the wedding, and after that, she doesn’t know if they’ll get their own place here or in Greece, but she’s giving this apartment to me. You could move in at the end of the month.”

On the stipulation, I pay all utilities and upkeep, although Antonio had given it a solid upgrade already.

“Seriously?” He wore shock like a neon sign.

“It’s too fast, right?” I glanced down at the plush carpeting. “You can have my room, as I’m taking hers. We don’t have to share a bedroom; I’m just giving you another option.”