ferry is as close as I’ve come to sailing.”
Ben was quiet for a moment, then grinned. “Do you have plans Monday?”
“Memorial Day? No, just relaxing. Why?”
“Why don’t you sail back with us? We can have lunch at Baxter’s, people watch for a while, then fly back. It will be a blast.”
Mia hesitated for a moment. She was slightly nervous to go on a giant sailboat, knowing nothing about how to sail. But then she realized it was an opportunity she shouldn’t pass up. “I’d love to. As long as you don’t think I’ll be in the way?”
He laughed. “Wait until you see the size of the boat and then remember that you said that. There’s going to be a whole crew sailing it. You can sit back and enjoy the ride. The weather is supposed to be perfect. You can’t say no.”
“I’m not saying no. I’m in.”
“Great. I’ll knock on your door at a quarter to nine. Boats leave the harbor at nine-thirty sharp.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Mia arrived at Kate and Jack’s house a little after three. There was already a good crowd gathered. The first person she saw to say hello to was Lisa’s friend Paige, who lived just a few doors down. She was there with her boyfriend, Peter. Kate smiled and walked over when she saw Mia.
“Thanks for bringing the guacamole. You can put it on that table with the other munchies. Then help yourself to whatever you want to drink.”
Mia handed her a bottle of chardonnay.
“Oh, thank you, I’ll add it to the collection. If you want to open it, there’s a wine opener by the box of ice.”
Mia set her guacamole and bag of chips on the table next to a platter of coconut shrimp with a creamy orange sauce dipping sauce. She guessed that was from Lisa. She opened the bag of chips and emptied them into a plastic bowl that she’d brought as well and then went to pour herself a glass of wine.
She saw that Izzy was already here, too, and was chatting with Will. There weren’t any white wines open yet, so Mia opened the chardonnay she’d brought and poured herself a glass. She saw that Lisa was chatting with Kate and Kristen, and she walked over to say hello.
“We missed having you in Boston,” Kate said to Lisa. “But I’m glad you had such a good time on your honeymoon.”
“And I’m so glad you finally found a dress. I was getting a little worried,” Lisa admitted. “But, I knew you were in good hands with Mia and Beth, and at least I’d had a chance to go with you here on Nantucket.”
Kate laughed and turned to Mia. “We went everywhere here. Every possible place that might sell wedding dresses. We saw them all. I was hoping we’d get lucky and find something, but realistically I knew we’d probably end up going to Boston and I’m glad we did. The dress I found was perfect, and it was a really fun day.”
“It was,” Mia agreed. “And productive. I’m thrilled that both you and Beth found dresses that you’re both excited about.”
“Beth and Chase are coming, aren’t they?” Lisa asked.
Mia glanced around and didn’t see either of them.
Kate nodded. “They are. Beth called to say they’re running a little late. They stopped down at the pier to say hello to one of Chase’s friends that sailed over for Figawi weekend. Someone he went to college with, I think.”
“Have any of you sailed in the Figawi?” Mia asked.
“Kate did, years ago,” Lisa said.
Kate smiled. “I was a senior in college. I was dating someone whose CEO had a boat in the race and he got to invite someone to go. It was an experience. If you ever get the chance to go, you should do it.”
Mia grinned. “I am, actually. My neighbor, Ben, invited me to sail back to Hyannis with them on Monday, then fly back later that afternoon.”
Lisa looked pleased by this news. “Ben Billings? How fun. I had good feeling about the two of you.”
“Are you dating?” Kate sounded surprised.
“No, nothing like that. We’re just neighbors and friends.”
“That’s the best way to start, as friends. Take some pictures, if you think of it. You can show me at breakfast on Tuesday,” Lisa said.
“Oh, Sam’s here. Mom, look how cute his girls are!” Kate walked over to greet Sam, who had his two girls with him, one on either side, holding his hands. Kate was right, they were very cute. They were