*

In the backyard, Peter crosses freshly mowed grass to approach an in-ground pool where his brother, JAMES TALBOTT, age twenty-two, and his friends are gathered.

Two women lay on chaise lounge chairs, sunbathing and laughing at an inside joke only they are privy to. The first, ISOBEL FISHER, age twenty-one, wears sunglasses and a black bikini. She turns in Peter's direction, watching as he waves to James, "Hey."

A grin consumes James' freckled cheeks. He beams, embracing his brother. "Pete! Ah, look at you, man. You look great. Have you been working out?"

Peter laughs, pushing James off, "Shut the fuck up."

"What?"

"I've been here less than ten minutes, and you're already kissing my ass. What do you want?"

"Why do I always have to want something? Can't I just be excited to see you? It's been ages."

Peter arches an eyebrow, "I saw you last week."

"Wow, time really does fly when you're having fun," James jeers.

Peter takes another sip of water, scoffing at James and rolling his eyes. The younger Talbott shifts his weight from side to side, folding his arms, "Okay, so listen, we're thinking about taking the yacht here in a little while, and I was wondering if you–"

"No." Peter cuts him off mid-sentence, shaking his head again.

"You didn't even let me finish."

"I'm never getting on another boat with you ever again."

James points at his brother accusingly, "That was an accident!"

Peter grins slyly and takes another sip of water, "And I've got the scars to prove it."

James rolls his eyes. "And for the record, that was a sailboat; this is a yacht. But whatever, stay here. I don't care."

"Sounds like it."

James turns to peer behind Peter as though waiting for someone else to appear. "Where's Ken?"

Peter grunts, lowering his bottle, "With her other boyfriend."

"Oh, shit. Are you okay?"

Peter shrugs and sarcastically says, "I'm great."

"When did you–?"

"Last night."

James frowns, lips parted, "Jesus."

Peter agrees, annoyed to still be on the subject of his now ex-girlfriend, "Yeah, we're taking some time apart." He gestures across the yard, "So, are you gonna introduce me to your friends or what?"

Surprised by Peter's pivot, James blinks but clears his throat, "Oh, yeah, uh– Everyone," He gathers the group's attention, clasping Peter's shoulder with one hand and pointing towards his chest with the other, "This is my older brother, Peter. Pete, this is everyone. Daniel Everett, Elliot Campbell, Cory Buchanan, Louis Pryce, and my girlfriend, Isobel Fisher." As James points to the people around the pool, they smile at Peter, acknowledging him half-heartedly.

DANIEL EVERETT, age twenty-two, sits on the foot of the chaise lounge chair where ELLIOT CAMPBELL, age twenty-one, lies wearing a white swimsuit cover-up and oversized circular sunglasses. He wears swim trunks. The two appear to be a couple. Beside them, Isobel lounges. She lowers her sunglasses, smiling at James as Peter nods politely.

On the other side of the pool deck, CORY BUCHANAN, age twenty-three, and LOUIS PRYCE, age twenty-one, argue, standing only a few feet apart. They wear swim trunks as well, and like Peter, both hold drinks. Ice shimmers in their scotch glasses. The men nod, and Peter mimics the motion. He shifts his weight like he's going to leave when suddenly, James furrows.

He turns away, asking Isobel, "Where's Audra?"

James returns to Peter, patting his shoulder, "You're going to love Audra." He says, "She introduced Izzy and me. Right, Baby?"

"Mhm." Isobel stands, pointing towards the back gate as she approaches Peter and James. "I think she went for a walk."

"Oh," James flattens, studying the beach path beyond the gate as Isobel wraps her arms around him possessively. "Well, she should–" He begins, only to stop mid-sentence once more.

As if on cue, Audra appears behind the gate as James exhales, flip-flops dangling from her fingertips. She wears an oversized striped blue button-up over her light green swimsuit, and her blonde hair is windswept from walking amongst the waves.

"Fuckin' hell," AUDRA D'ORO, age twenty-two, laughs, looking back at the beach, then towards James again, "this place is beautiful! Jim, did you know you can see whales from the dock down there? I counted four. Four! Can you believe that? –Oh." Audra pauses upon spotting Peter beside his brother.

Jim beams, "Hey, Ace."

She smiles sheepishly, embarrassed by her previous outburst, "Hello."

Peter tenses, their eyes meeting. "Hi."

"Who's this?" Audra asks.

Peter's breath catches in his chest, and his heart skips a beat. He chokes. Audra is the most beautiful woman he's ever seen.

She strolls towards them, running her fingers through her hair. James gestures between she and Peter, "Audra, this is my older brother, Peter. Peter, this is Audra."

She extends her hand, "It's nice to finally meet you. Jim's told me a lot about you." Her accent isn't thick, but Audra is clearly English.

Peter, summoning the strength to take her hand, laughs, "All bad, I presume. I wouldn't listen to him if I were you. I never do."

James elbows his brother, and Isobel snickers. She glances at Audra, watching her blue eyes sparkle. The blonde laughs, "Neither do I. I'd rather not get arrested again."

"That was one time," Jim interjects.

Audra smiles, unaware of Isobel's stare. "Ha!"

"—And I said I was sorry."

"Tell that to my father. He had to fly in from Florence to bail us out."

As her and Peter's hands meet, he glances down, noting the warmth of her skin against his own. He flinches. Sparks fly. Peter doesn't want to let go but pulls back as Jim asks Audra, "Hey, we're taking my parents' yacht out in a little while. Did you wanna come?"

Peter looks away, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. Audra glances at Isobel, then shakes her head, adjusting the mesh bag slung over her shoulder. "Uh- No," She says, "I'm exhausted. I think I'm just gonna rinse off and change clothes. Maybe read my book for a bit."

James shrugs, "Suit yourself." He turns to Isobel to ask if she's ready as Audra quickly breaks away.

Looking back, she smiles at Peter, "Nice meeting you."

He nods, eyes following her inside. "Uh, yeah, you too."