I follow Nolan to the dining room, where my whole family is enjoying their meal. At the door, Nolan stops abruptly and turns to me. First, he checks himself from head to toe, dusting off his trousers, re-tucking his shirt, straightening his jacket, smoothing his hair, and wincing when he touches the bump on his forehead. I watch him in bewilderment. But then he tugs at my shirt.

"Hey!" I try to argue. But Nolan doesn't listen to me; he dusts my jeans. "I can do it myself!" I push his hands away, but they have already moved to my head, and he shifts my hair to one side, and then to the other. His touch sends goosebumps down my neck.

"Damn, how was it?" Nolan asks, puzzled, failing to achieve the desired result. I push his hand away and just ruffle my hair.

"Hmm," Nolan drawls out, pursing his lips, a derisive glint in his eyes.

"I'm going for the balls again," I warn him and take a step forward. But Nolan doesn't move, and we get too close to each other, so close that I can feel his breath on my cheek and the scent of his perfume. I push him aside and go into the dining room first. Melinda meets me with a surprised look, then peeks at Nolan walking behind, and raises her eyebrows in amazement.

"Oh, Alex! Where have you been?! You missed everything!" exclaims mom. It's clear that she has already taken a sip of sparkling wine, and now she's in a great mood. Richard holds her hand tenderly. Todd sits, grimly staring out the window, while Stacey lays something out of the leftover food on his plate. Melinda may have been bored before, but now all her attention is riveted on Nolan.

I sit down at the table and serve myself food. Nolan approaches Richard from the other side; he looks up from my mother and listens to what Nolan whispers in his ear.

"Where were you?" I hear Mel's voice next to me.

"I got lost," I grumble and start eating.

"With Nolan?" She asks with a knowing smile. "You called me, but you were dropping out, so I couldn't make out a thing. What was it about?"

"It's not important anymore," I wave off.

The food, although cold, tastes absolutely divine. The music starts to play. It seems a bit old-fashioned to me... Richard stands up and gallantly offers his hand to my mother. Blushing, she accepts his gesture and rises from her seat. They move to the center of the room and start dancing.

Melinda bounces up and approaches Nolan, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward Richard and mom. Nolan doesn't resist, wrapping his arm around her waist. Melinda places her hands on his shoulders, and they begin to sway to the rhythm of the music. A playful smile never leaves Melinda's face.

Seeing this, Stacy grabs Todd by the sleeve and demands to join her. To my surprise, he agrees, and they also start dancing, though in a slightly comical manner. I remain alone at the table with a plate of cold chicken. Whatever...

I really want to smoke. I stuff a piece of chicken into my mouth, take a sip from my glass, lean back in my chair, and watch the landscape passing by. I avoid looking at the dancing couples, instead, I imagine myself being here alone, admiring the fjord. My mood is entirely spoiled. Even the souffle with pecan doesn't help.

I notice Melinda's purse on a nearby chair, and it's open. I spot a pack of cigarettes and a lighter inside. Yielding to temptation without much shame, I quickly take a cigarette from the pack and pocket the lighter. Then I rise from the table and glance at the improvised dance floor - Melinda has her arms around Nolan's neck already. Oh, sis, your heart might be broken, but where's your pride?!

Mom looks absolutely radiant, just like Richard. They're completely engrossed in each other's company. And Stacy and Todd, even though they look funny, somehow make me feel a bit envious.

I exit the hall and come across a staff member. I inquire about how to get out onto the deck, and he obligingly escorts me.

"Thank you," I say, finally inhaling the salty air. Our town is now in the distance; we're almost at the fjord. The yacht glides smoothly over the emerald waves, leaving a foamy trail behind. I take out a cigarette and light it. Inhale and exhale the smoke with pleasure. I lean on the railing and look around. The rhythm of the rolling waves is almost hypnotic.

Suddenly, someone snatches the cigarette out of my hand. I straighten up, turn, and see Nolan take a drag on my cigarette with a grin.

"Hey! A big boy like you can probably buy his own cigarettes!" I protest.

"Says a big boy who steals cigarettes from his older sister," he laughs, takes another drag, and then hands the cigarette back to me. I hesitate for a moment before inhaling, returning to my previous position.

"Why the melancholy?" Nolan asks.

"What?" I say, confused. "There's no melancholy!"

"Are you upset that you have no dancing partner?"

"What?" I furrow my brows.

Nolan takes off his jacket and hangs it on the doorknob. He gracefully bows in my direction.

"What's this?" I ask, puzzled.

"My job is to take care of my father's guests," Nolan explains as he steps closer. He holds out his hand to me, but I stand, perplexed, looking at his palm. Nolan sighs and shakes his head. "This is an invitation to dance. Have you been taught anything?"

"And have you been taught that there was supposed to be music to dance to?" I take a drag from my cigarette and consider tossing it away, but Nolan snatches it and holds it between his lips. He gazes at me intently, taking a deep drag, then extinguishes the cigarette and disposes it in a nearby trash can. His eyes are truly grey, like steel. I've never seen eyes like these before.

"Do you like the sea?" he asks after a while, walking closer to the railing.

"I'm used to it," I reply, turning away once again and gazing down at the water.

"Have you seen the fjords?"

"Yes..." I take a thought. "But it was a long time ago... when I was little and used to go to sea with my father..."

I fall silent, and so does Nolan. Together, we gaze at the rolling waves.

"It's time for the fireworks," Nolan mentions. "Let's head to the deck."

Reluctantly, I follow him. What did Melinda say about his butt? I don't really see anything special.