Alex doesn't answer me for a long time, just stares out across the water.

"There are lots of things in Haverton that mean a lot to me," he says finally.

I can tell by his tone that he's not going to elaborate, even if I press him.

"You should come back and visit us more," I say.

His blue eyes shift to me. "Does that mean you missed me?"

"Of course I did, you doofus," I say, hitting him playfully on the side. "You know that. ...