20
Gracie’s family convinced them to spend the night and leave the next morning. That meant dinner with the Rockwells, an unforgettable experience in so many ways. Max said barely a word, and everyone was clearly trying to keep the conversation away from difficult topics.
They asked Mark about the marina. He told them about his plans to expand on what his uncle had built. Even though Ocean Shores seemed very far away, it felt good to talk about it.
The conversation turned to Kai and Nicole’s upcoming wedding and the birth of their baby. Every time the couple tried to pin down a wedding date, something would come up to change it.
“If only we could convince the baby to be more flexible and maybe take eleven months instead of nine,” Kai joked.
“Bite your tongue.” Nicole swatted him light
