Page 66 of Chasing Sunsets

“Same here,” Eden adds. “I dedicated my entire life to a dream, and when that dream was ripped away from me, I thought my chance at happiness was lost forever. But life had a bigger, better plan for me.”

“Well, shit, I guess the same goes for me. I followed my bestie here to make sure she and baby girl were going to be okay, and the island worked its magic on me too. Now, I curl up with a big, grumpy sailor every night, and I couldn’t be happier,” Amiya says as she winks at Lennon.

“Oh, I like that theory! The idea that the island has some sort of mystical powers would make for a great story,” I say.

“Right? Maybe you should write one. I bet Sabel could provide you with a lot of material. That woman knows the island’s secrets. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we found a cauldron and a crystal ball in her basement,” Avie replies, and everyone laughs.

“Sabel is a witch?” Eden gasps.

“Yeah, but she’s a good witch, like Glinda fromThe Wizard of Ozor that quirky teenage witch that Melissa Joan Hart played on TV,” Amiya explains.

“Sabrina,” Eden says.

Amiya jabs a fork in the air, pointing at her. “That’s the one! I always preferred her surly old cat.”

I’m enjoying how well Tabby fits in with the other girls. “I’m going to need another beer if I’m expected to follow this conversation about life paths and witches,” I say, and Lennon agrees just as the music changes.

A familiar beat rolls through the bar, and I grin as I recognize the song.

“But first,” I say, standing and holding out a hand, “you’re gonna dance with me.”

Tabby raises an eyebrow. “I am?”

“Oh, absolutely.” I step closer, lowering my voice. “C’mon, Trouble. Let me show you how it’s done.”

She eyes me for a second, like she’s considering telling me no, but then she takes my hand.

I lead her to the dance floor, where couples are already two-stepping and spinning, the energy electric. The second I pull her in, settling a hand on her waist, I feel it—that click—like we’ve been doing this for years.

“All right,” I murmur, guiding her into the steps, “let’s see what you’ve got.”

To my surprise, she moves fluidly, matching my rhythm, like she’s done this before.

I tilt my head. “You’ve danced like this before.”

She grins. “Maybe.”

I spin her once, then pull her back in. “You’re just full of surprises, city girl.”

I chuckle, tightening my hold just enough to make her notice.

The music shifts to something slower, and I don’t let her go. I pull her in, my hand splaying wide across her lower back. She twines her arms around my shoulders and looks up at me with those sharp, knowing eyes.

I brush a strand of hair away from her face. “I like you—you know that?”

She inhales, just a slight hitch of breath, but I catch it.

We keep moving leisurely, the world around us fading into the background. It’s just me and her, and for the first time in a long time, I’m not thinking about anything else.

Just her.

The song ends, but I don’t step away. Neither does she.

Her fingers curling around with the ends of my hair, her body still warm against mine.

She smirks. “I think I might actually like you.”

I lean down so that our noses almost touch. “You sure about that?”

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