Chapter 9

Lucy sits on the deck at Summer Wind, savoring familiar scents and contemplating Bridget and Miles’s imminent wedding, anxious it could be canceled despite all the careful plans and Lucy’s prepared speech. She recalls the lively mix of Clark and Lam families and the indulgent reception details Miles arranged.

Seeking normalcy, Lucy phones Farah, who teases her about overworking and arriving at the wedding without a romantic date. Lucy thinks about her daring dress and her aunt Stacy’s philosophy that clothes speak loudly, underscoring Lucy’s conflicted desire to appear confident around Felix.

Later, Lucy scrolls to her tiny text history with Felix from the previous year—four short messages capped by his thumbs-up—reminding her of their deliberate distance. As dusk deepens, headlights sweep the property, and Lucy instinctively recognizes Felix’s arrival.

Felix steps from his truck with groceries, casually directing Lucy to retrieve wine from the passenger seat. She discovers two bottles of her favorite vinho verde and an overnight bag. Felix’s choice to bring supplies and luggage makes clear he intends to stay at Summer Wind, reintroducing immediate tension and opportunity between them on the eve of the wedding week.