Jimmy had a hell of a week. A project he had been working on for two years came close to falling through. After spending hours in negotiations on Tuesday, he had to end a conference call abruptly to rush to Newton-Wellesley Hospital on Wednesday morning. Thank goodness Stella would be fine, but it reminded him how much he hated hospitals. Shaun panicked when he called her, but he assured her a gallbladder was not a heart attack.

He returned home on Friday night after Shaun and Tansy arrived from Seattle. When he stepped out of his home office having worked most of Saturday, he heard voices in the parlor. One was Charles and he smiled when he recognized the other. The house cheered up during Baxter and Ivy's extended stay, and it wasn't because of Baxter's bubbly personality.

He stepped into the parlor with lighter steps than the past few weeks. "Ivy, what do I owe this pleasure?"

She beamed. "Nothing. I came to visit Charles." Jimmy chuckled because although Ivy was sitting, the older man stood. "He's not very good at having a guest."

Jimmy smirked, but the old man refused to crack. "Where's your other half?"

She looked at her watch. "He's probably at the marina. We're going for a sail. You should come."

He shook his head. "The whole family?"

"No. Not this time. We'll save that fun for the Fourth. Come on. It'll be a beautiful evening."

Jimmy had memories of sailing with the Kanes. He and Baxter had some fun times on the boat. The lure of a relaxing sail was too good to pass up. "Bax, won't mind?"

"No way. Come on."

A car waited out front. As they slipped in the back, Jimmy said, "You have gotten used to this life."

She looked at him before nodding. "I can take the perks Baxter has given me without changing who I am."

"Like a girl who visits a butler. Did you even have a conversation?"

"You'd be surprised."

"Please surprise me."

"Fine, it was one-sided. Then I asked him the difference between a morning suit and a tuxedo."

As Jimmy laughed, the stress left his body. "I'm sure he gave you more information than you needed."

"He was very informative and he helps me with your world."

"Ivy, it's your world now."

When they reached the marina, Jimmy had a sense of returning to a place he loved, although it wasn't as strong as visiting Dover. As they walked side-by-side, he felt like an interloper. "I hate to be a third wheel."

"You won't be. Tate already is."

He paused his step, but continued on. The last time he saw her, he ran away. It was time to face the music.

As they approached the boat, Baxter mentioned him. "Did I hear my name?"

Tate turned abruptly. Control, Jimmy.

Ivy said, "Surprise! I twisted his arm."

Tate took her time looking at him. If it weren't for her scowl, he might have enjoyed it. Hiding behind his sunglasses, he took her in from her shapely legs and short shorts to the way her shirt clung to her breasts. Beautiful and sexy.

"Surprise, I'm here. You remember you've been avoiding me for weeks or has it been months?"

Baxter ushered Ivy away leaving him and Tate to stare at each other. He lifted his glasses to the top of his head.

In business he wanted to win, but with Tate everything was different. "Tate, I'm sorry."

"For what? Going after my ex like you are vindicating something that has nothing to do with you. Or for ghosting me after Vail."

He shut his eyes for a moment. "For you. Not for Dawson. They wanted an investor. It's what I do."

"I know what you do. Are you planning to take over their business?"

"If they need rescuing. I'm looking for a return on my investment."

She waved her hand as if pushing his explanation away. "So you are only sorry for Vail."

"God, no! Look at me. I don't regret it, only that you were vulnerable, and I took advantage."

"I let you."

He shook his head. "I tried to maintain control, but not with you. Never."

It was his lack of control that led to that night so long ago.

"Control is an illusion. Sure you can control a business meeting, but you can't control people. Not even yourself."

"I told my cousin that control is what I do. I control outcomes in my favor."

"That doesn't sound fun. No one can control everything. Life is unpredictable."

"I know that. You know I do. You couldn't control me showing up. If you want me to leave, I will."

She shook her head. "You've been avoiding me. I just wanted to talk to you."

"I know. I'll stay then. Let's put the hatchets down and enjoy the evening."

She sighed. "Fine." Then she turned on the soles of her boat shoes. "I need a drink."

They left Jimmy alone on the deck. The cramped cabin fit five kids, but four adults might cause him to invade the personal space Tate had marked out. Only once had Philip Kane agreed to let him join them on an overnight trip. He felt like he was living in an adventure novel. The highs were amazing views and camping underneath. They crowded into the sleeping quarters, and he ended up next to Tate. His sixteen-year-old hormones knew she was budding into something that was no longer a girl. The lows were when they hit swells going down the coast. He hid underneath with Doyle. His life jacket and his ability to swim were the only things to convince him his mother wouldn't lose another child. The pressure to live weighed heavily on him as a kid. He was never as adventurous as his friends. Maybe that's why he and Baxter got along so well. Except for sailing, Baxter wasn't a physical risk taker. Baseball wasn't life-threatening, at least it was highly unlikely with batting helmets. Both he and his friend saved their risks for the boardroom.

It had been years since Jimmy had to defend the fact he didn't drive. The subject of him not driving had come up in front of Shaun's friend Josh. He liked Shaun's friendship with the lawyer, although Josh had a girlfriend and Shaun was adamant about living in Seattle. No doubt the two would ride together since Shaun was home to help care for her mother and Stella.

Baxter stepped out on deck. "What's new with you besides making grilled cheese. I've hardly seen you all summer."

"Busy. I've got irons in the fire from here to Seattle."

Baxter smirked. "Including Vail."

"Dickie is an ass."

Baxter laughed. "Have you had any fun?"

"I have some bad news."

"What? You're settling down with the blonde in Washington."

"God, no! She's just business. No, I've made a new friend."

Baxter eyed him. "To exploit?"

Jimmy glared. "Not you too. I mean someone who enjoys a nice scotch and conversation."

"Someone you trust. Which old Boston family does he hail from? The Adams family?"

Jimmy laughed as he thought of the iconic television family. Baxter meant the founding father and second president's ancestors. Josh Roche's mother definitely didn't qualify as a Daughter of the Revolution. "He's a lawyer at Roche-Sumner Publishing. His father is Roche and his Baxter is a Sumner."

"His Baxter." Laughing Baxter added, "I get the mutual interests. How did you meet him? Through business?"

"No. He was a friend of Shaun's in highschool. Anyway, he's been good to my family." Tansy loved him and she was a good judge of character for a four-year-old kid.

"I'll look forward to meeting him."

When Baxter turned the key and the motor spurted to life, Jimmy watched while his friend expertly maneuvered the boat out of the slip. "Promise me this will be a smooth trip."

Baxter laughed. "I was an asshole and laughed at you at sixteen and I'm sorry for the jerk I was. I bet you've never been that scared since."

"Not in the same way." He looked out at the scenery as they motored out of the marina into the harbor.

"I'm sorry. It's been so long sometimes I forget. I know Tate hasn't forgotten."

"It'll take Alzheimer's and even then it'll be the last memory to go."

Baxter's frown was for his sister not for his cold-hearted best friend, Jimmy assumed not being in his friend's head. Bax recovered. "Some guy asked her out."

Jimmy felt a familiar vise on his chest cavity. "Oh yeah. She's dated since. Hasn't she?"

"No. I wish she would get over him."

Jimmy concurred to himself. "Who is the guy?"

"A lawyer at Martin, Walsh, and Blum."

"Who is? Me?" Ivy appeared with a pitcher.

"Some guy Tate met. Do you know anyone who works with Priscilla?"

"No. Thank goodness. I don't even know what floor your old girlfriend works on."

Jimmy laughed. "She zinged you. Are you going to the Bates's party?"

Baxter shook his head. "We sent our regrets. The guy who works with my ex is going to be there."

Jimmy didn't want to go, but he had gained enough shares to be on the Bates' Financial board. The night would be worse than he expected without his friend and with some guy sniffing around Tate.

"I need Tate to get the sail up."

Jimmy nodded. "I'll get her." When he stepped under the short doorway, she stood with her back to him. His heart hurt for her all alone deep in some thought. If only she would move past Dawson, he would what? He never considered himself capable of commitment, but Baxter made it look easy. Maybe she needed to find a rebound guy.

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