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However, instead of announcing a dinner, she dug in her purse “Here” She held up a piece of plastic that for a single horrifying second I thought o condoms, but then realized had the name of a local chain of hotels on it “Now you don’t have to do the ferry tonight and you can be alone that much sooner”

“Oh ” My jaent as slack asthe card froers

“Thank you You shouldn’t have, butis right, and boy alad you did Sabrina—”

“Like I was ever going back with you?” She rolled her elegant eyes “Don’t worry, honey I already got the number of Petty Officer Helpful from the bus”

“Excellent” Arthur gave her a high five “I suppose we should do dinner first”

“Your father and I have reservations” His mom continued to beam “For two I cashed in a bunch of airline miles Dinner for us, hotel for you Oh, and I asked for a late checkout time”

That last bit made both Calder and his father turn pink and look away

“Thank you,” I said, perhaps a little too heartily because Arthur’s dad’s blush worsened

“You’re the best” Arthur gave hison Derrick for dinner?”

A strange look flitted across Calder’s face Perhaps he was thinking about all the times he hadn’t made an effort to include Arthur “No,” he said at last “He’s all yours”

“He is at that” Arthur linked ar else to Calder, a thank-you at least, or touch his ar about getting back on duty It et unweird, but hireat deal

“Ready to go?” Arthur asked “I’ indecent exposure”

“Me too” Talking We needed to talk, ords And sentences Lots of the too, the indecent kind especially

Chapter Forty

Arthur

“I loveas Derrick let us into the darkened hotel room

“Yeah, she’s pretty great” He flipped on the light Basic hotel rooreeted us—two queen beds—like we’d need the second—white linens, beige walls, bland seascapes over the beds, and a view of the parking lot But it was ours and it was blessedly private He tossed his bag on a bed

“I think we’re alone now,” I hu him close