The plan for Tate's second bachelorette party was slightly better than her first one. It was smaller, but they liked it that way. Doyle limited the guest list to Ivy, and Dani. Jimmy's cousin Shaun wasn't available, and Sofia wasn't close enough to Tate. Doyle was just getting to know her.

The day was sunny as Philip motored the boat out of the Marina. "We'll head north towards Cape Ann."

The girls sunbathed and enjoyed the view. Tate, who loved to sail, wore a permanent smile. They started the day with mimosas and enjoyed straight champagne with their lunch.

Philip was relaxed as he joined them. "A toast to my Tate and Jimmy. Honey, I know he loves you."

Glasses clinked, and the girls giggled. Doyle smiled at her father. Some men were sporty and rugged and got on with sons. Philip enjoyed his girls as much as his boys. Giggles and hugs didn't send him running. He left after returning the boat to the marina. For a moment, Doyle wondered if he was going home or using them as an alibi.

"Okay, with Dad gone we can make some decisions. Tate, do you want a slumber party on the boat, like old times?"

She smiled. "Yes. Are we having hot dogs?"

Doyle laughed. "No, we can either go out or order delivery."

"Delivery. I don't want to get dressed up."

Doyle frowned. "You planned a Vegas weekend for Ivy and I planned this."

"It's perfect. I love sailing. Where are the guys? Vegas?"

"No. They went to Saint Thomas to Whitby's house." Dani rattled off the details.

"Dani, did you plan it?" Ivy asked.

"Only a few details. They're having a laid back weekend."

"With the beach." Doyle frowned.

"Get your boyfriend to take you, Doyle." Ivy giggled.

Dani looked at her. "What boyfriend?"

Tate said, "Her muscular guy. Her hero."

"I liked guys with muscles. I've dated a few, and by dated I mean had sex with."

"Do you ever date?" Ivy asked.

"I'm too busy. Although married Baxter works less. I'm a professional not interested in being a wife." Dani held up her drink. "To Jimmy who is so much better than what's his name."

Ivy laughed. "I remember the night before you almost married him. Our lives have changed completely."

Tate laughed. "Yours changed the next day. You met Baxter. Doyle has matured a ton."

Doyle laughed. "Too bad Kasper hasn't." Everyone laughed. "I bet he's climbing trees."

Dani picked up her phone. "I'm texting Baxter now to get a video if he does."

Doyle's looked from Dani to Ivy. "Have you texted Bax yet?"

She nodded. "He and Dani are working on a problem. I'm not jealous of Dani anymore."

"Anymore." Doyle laughed.

Dani sighed. "I knew about Aspen and encouraged them. No need for jealousy. He's my boss."

Doyle put in an order for Chinese food at Tate's favorite place. She called Gray to ask him to pick it up.

"Depends on my tip."

"I'll kiss you."

He sighed. "It will have to do."

When she returned to the others, she said, "Food is coming. What did I miss?"

"Tate was remembering Faith and her gang."

"Does it make sense to have fewer friends as we get older?"

"Less but closer friends."

"I have more, like Romy. She works for Jimmy. Sofia is becoming a good friend."

"Who is Sofia?" Dani hadn't met the Whitbys.

"She's married to Monty Whitby. Jimmy did business with him, but also Doyle's Gray is their best friend."

Doyle smiled. Her siblings had accepted Gray. Unfortunately, her mother refused to discuss Gray. Amelia had been giving Philip the cold shoulder which was another reason Doyle wondered if he went home after they docked. Philip had to pay for not telling his wife he met Gray. Eleanor probably knew.

Dani said, "Gray. I dated a guy named Gray once. He ghosted me."

Doyle felt swirling in her belly. He told her about his dating habits. "Ghosted?"

"Yeah. It had to be at least three years ago. He went out of town and never called me. By week three, I texted him not to bother to call."

Tate laughed. "OMG. Did Dani sleep with your boyfriend?"

Doyle bit her lip. "Women hit on him and he had brief relationships."

"If it's him, he'll get restless. How long have you known him? A week or two?"

"No. A year. Gray rescued me after the psycho kicked in my face."

"A year! It can't be the same guy."

Ivy sat up. "Is this going to be awkward?"

Doyle sucked in oxygen. "No. I know why he couldn't commit. I know his heart. He fell in love with me." No one else except Beth. He had shared his heartache.

Tate said, "Jimmy slept with women. I might meet one. Baxter did too."

"Not Silly." Doyle laughed. "Let's not talk about Kasper, but none of us were virgins either." She had fucked unhinged Mick for a month.

Everyone laughed. "Juniper experienced Kasper," Ivy said. "But seriously, Tate almost married an awful selfish lover. Don't settle."

"If it's the same guy, he was decent in bed."

"Decent! Amazing. My Gray is amazing."

"No guy is amazing." Dani looked from Ivy to Tate to Doyle.

Tate said, "Like in the movies."

Ivy added, "Or in books."

Dani shook her head. "It must be me."

"It must be love that makes it wonderful," Doyle said.

"Or the cross." Ivy laughed.

"Maybe the magic is really great sex."

Doyle choked. "Tate! Think of our ancestors." And dad. When her phone dinged, Doyle jumped up. "I'll be back."

She walked out to the entrance of the marina. Gray stood smiling with a large brown bag.

"Hi, gorgeous." She touched his cheek and brushed her lips on his. When she pulled back, she frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"I think you might have slept with Baxter's assistant."

"According to Monty, I went through every single woman in Boston."

"Stop! It's not funny."

"I never came close to loving any. You have a past, but we're each other's future."

"In a year."

"No, we are together now. Plus, it's only eleven months."

She nodded. "Do you want to see if you remember her?"

"No, tell her I'm sorry however it ended. You can tell her the truth. It doesn't hurt like it did. Thanks to you." He brushed his lips against hers and handed her the bag. "Have fun doing whatever girls do."

Doyle nodded. "I know it shouldn't be weird, but it is."

"I love you. Don't forget." He touched his chest.

"I know."

"Go. Before the food gets cold."

She nodded and turned away. Back on the boat only Dani was on deck. "Can we talk?" Doyle nodded. "Don't make a big deal out of it. I date casually enough my memory merges together."

"Did he have a butterfly tat?"

"Yeah. I remember, but he shut down when I asked him. It was awkward for him to have the ink for others to see but not want anyone to notice it."

Doyle sighed. "It's for him and his memories. It's a memory of his first love. He has a ladybug next to it for me." She took out her pendant. "You might have been a layover, but I'm his final destination." Doyle turned away and walked down below. "I have food."

"Good. We set the table. I made us a cocktail."

Tate said, "I'm not getting drunk like Ivy did in Vegas."

She took the eco-friendly containers from the bag. Tate laughed. "I miss the old boxes that leaked."

They ate and laughed and drank. After they cleaned up the food, they converted the table to a bed and arranged the hold with wall to wall bedding.

Tate sighed, "I fell in love with Jimmy down here when I was fourteen."

"Not with the cross?"

"Nope. On my own."

Doyle remembered how gentle Gray cared for her. She would have fallen for him without the cross.

In the morning, they went out for brunch. Ivy went home to catch up on work and Dani left too.

Doyle nodded to Tate. "Go sail with Dad. I'll be at Gray's."

"Have fun." She winked. "Thanks for my party. It was perfect."

The two sisters hugged. "Thanks for giving Gray a chance."

"Jimmy likes him and I trust Jimmy."

Doyle smiled. "He loves you. I'm glad."

With a wave, Doyle was gone. Gray was waiting for her. She smiled. Only eleven more months...

Anyone who knows me, knows the end is near. The last chapter is tomorrow, but I wrote a bonus chapter for Saturday.

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