Page 215 of Just One More Thing

Wayne is out front on the jetty, holding a chart over his head. Mrs. Kravitz stands beside him with her scoring paddle already up.

A ten.

Frank is grinning behind a sign that reads BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME, which makes no sense and feels extremely on brand.

Walt’s near the dock with two coffee cups raised in the air. I can’t read what he wrote from here, but I know better than to believe it’ll be harmless.

And then there’s Maddy and Hattie.

Looks like Miss Hattie found her freedom chariot because she’s driving a scooter in figure eights on the crushed shell path while Maddy rides in the front basket, one arm circling in the air like she’s roping cattle.

“WOOHOO!” Maddy hollers.

On his bench at the edge of The Green, Willard tips his hat.

French Fry circles overhead.

Mo looks up immediately. “I swear if that seagull?—“

“He won’t,” I say, easing us toward the dock. “You’re officially one of us now.”

She gives me a look. “That does not feel like a guarantee.”

“In this town, it’s basically legal protection. Only visitors are eligible for his bowel bombs.”

“That feels made-up.”

“Most laws here are.”

I kill the engine, tie us off, and step onto the dock, then turn and hold out my hand.

She takes it and looks past me toward shore at everything already in motion like these lunatics had a week to plan instead of a few hours.

“How did they get all of this done this morning?”

The Tail Flickers are setting up. Pink streamers twist through the string lights that never came down from our homecoming. A mimosa fountain is flowing beside a Bloody Mary bar. Chocolate doughnuts are stacked on every spare surface around The Green.

I look at her. “Your granny knew last night when I asked for her permission.”

She goes still.

“You asked Granny.”

I nod. “Felt wrong not to get her blessing.”

Her chin starts to tremble. “Jake Wheeler.”

“She said yes faster than you did.”

“I said yes immediately!”

“She said yes before I finished the sentence.”

She presses her forehead to my chest, and when she looks up, her eyes are full of tears.

“And she organized all of this since last night?”

“You underestimate what this town can do with a couple of hours and a group chat.”