"A case of wine doesn't count as eating fruit, Noelle." But that wasn't me. That was Amelia. Amelia who touched my father's cheek as she passed him to cross the kitchen. Amelia who was still in her same hot pink bikini from yesterday.

"Where the fuck did you come from?" I asked.

Noelle glared at her. "I thought you were coming by at noon?"

"Is it not noon?" Amelia faked her stupidity, for once. "You know me, ditsy blonde who barely remembers her name. How can I possibly read time on a watch? Right, Callum?"

My chest was on fire. "Where the fuck did you just come from?"

She turned to my father and smiled. "See you later, Dr. Trovatto."

Everly was in the doorway as Amelia left the room. "Trust me," she said to Everly, "the older one is a much better doctor."

Everly scrunched her face, having no idea what had transpired.

I looked at my father. "What in the hell are you even thinking?"

"She's trying to make you jealous. Or crazy," he said nonchalantly. "I'm old enough to be her-"

"Father!" Noelle and I creamed in unison.

I felt like my skin needed to be scrubbed. "Let us not even discuss that little gold band on your fuckin' finger, Pop."

He yelled at us in Italian to shut up. "My own children!" He shook his head. "She was hung over. I gave her I.V. fluids and let her ask me stupid things about my dense son, all morning. She has a thing for you, moron." He glanced at Everly. "And she isn't helping anything."

I glared at him. "Are we still talking about Amelia, Pop?"

He turned away, leaving me with Noelle's questioning eyes.

"Forget this shit," I said. "Come on, Topolina. I'll buy you breakfast this morning."

I pulled her outside with me but didn't get far before Tatum called my name. "Where are you going?"

"To feed Everly Anne before she dies of starvation!" I paused. Breathed. "It's too crowded here. I can't . . ."

She got up and followed us down the steps, to the beach. "Wait a second. I wanted to ask Everly something."

I sighed. "So ask."

She turned to Everly. "I wanted to know if you could pry yourself away from this charming fool for an hour-go shopping with me? I want to dress up a little for the Sergeant, tonight."

"Um . . ." Everly looked at me.

"It's up to you, Peach."

"Just an hour," Tatum said. "I'll even feed you breakfast so Prince Charming won't lose his mind."

I shook my head. "Do you have any idea what just happened in my kitchen, Tater?"

"Same drama that always happens, Callum." She reached for Everly. "Come on. We'll have some fun. Besides, Nicholas wants to spend time with you Callum." She looked at me. "It's the last we'll see of him until Thanksgiving."

Nodding, I took Everly's hand and pulled her to the side. "Tatum is a nurse. She won't let anything happen to you."

"Sure," she said. "I'd be glad to go with her."

I kissed her head. "I'll see you in an hour." But I kept hold of her hand as she tried to step away. "Eat breakfast, Everly Anne."

She smiled, and I didn't look away until they were too far to see.

We ran nearly five miles along the beach. I was dying when we finally stopped, much to Nick's amusement.

"Getting weak on me, Cal."

"I've been pulling longer shifts in the hospital, on top of going to school. I don't have as much time to do this shit as I used to, so, yeah, I'm a little slower than when I was fifteen and could beat your sorry ass without any real effort."