Page 24 of Chasing Sunsets

“The three of us were watching a movie, and his phone started going off like fireworks. He was laser-focused on the screen. Laughing. Sighing. It was adorable,” Audrey tells them.

“Whatever,” I mumble.

“Well, was it her?” Avie asks.

I roll my eyes as I look at them. They’re all intently focused.

“Yes, it was her.”

“Now, I really need to meet her,” Heather says.

Amiya nods. “Same. We need to see what kind of woman has Anson Leggett choosing late-night texting over late-night hookups.”

I run a hand through my hair, shaking my head. “She’s not—I don’t think she does the wholefriend groupthing. She’s been on her own for a while, and she seems to enjoy her solitude.”

Amiya smirks and looks at the others. “That’s cute. He thinks we’re giving him a choice.”

Avie looks at me thoughtfully. “Maybe she just hasn’t had the chance to make many friends. Text her now. See if she wants to join us for dinner and cocktails at our house later. Sebastian is going to barbeque.”

“Probably not on such short notice,” I say.

“It sounds like you’re trying to hog her all to yourself,” Amiya accuses.

She gives me a look—one that says they aren’t going to drop this.

“Fine,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket. I type out a quick text, asking if she’d like to meet us for dinner.

Sebastian claps a hand on my shoulder. “Better start preparing her, man. The girls are coming for her.”

I look out at the ocean, breathing in the salty air.

Just great.

Tabby doesn’t know it yet, but her world is about to get a lot louder.

Tabby

The late afternoon sun streams through the office window, casting long, golden beams across the counter, where I’m checking in another camper. The campground is quiet today with just a few families setting up their sites and the usual retirees arriving in their motorhomes while the rest of the visitors spend the sunny day at the beach. This is the lull between the early weekend rush and the first checkouts of the week, which means I finally get a chance to relax a little.

“All right, Mr. Reynolds, you’re all set. You’re on site fourteen, right near the beach path,” I say, sliding the map across the counter toward the older man.

He adjusts his ball cap and grins. “Perfect. My wife loves to wake up to the water.”

“I don’t blame her,” I reply with a smile, handing him his receipt. “If you need anything, just let us know.”

He thanks me and heads out, and I stretch, rolling my shoulders. It’s been a slow afternoon, which I don’t mind. I’m about to grab my water bottle when the door swings open, and in walks Sabel with a woman I don’t recognize.

“Ladies,” I say, leaning against the counter. “How can I help you?”

“We’re looking for Freda,” Sabel replies, pulling off her wide-brimmed sun hat. “We figured she’d be hiding in here.”

“She is,” I say, already calling toward the back of the office. “Freda! You’ve got visitors.”

A moment later, she appears, her glasses slipping down her nose. “Oh good, you’re here. Tabby, you know Sabel. This is her neighbor Ida Mae.”

“It’s nice to meet you, dear,” Ida Mae says.

“Nice to meet you too. What trouble are you three getting into today?” I ask.

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