Page 29 of Chasing Sunsets

The little girl squeals his name and comes barreling toward him, her curly hair bouncing as she runs. Anson catches her midair, hoisting her onto his hip without a second thought.

“Well, hey there, Princess Leia,” he says, grinning. “You been behaving yourself?”

She nods solemnly, though Sebastian snorts.

“That’s debatable.”

Anson just laughs and tosses her onto his shoulders, making her giggle as she clutches his hair. He takes off running across the yard, pretending to be a horse while she shrieks with laughter.

I don’t even realize I’m smiling until Amiya nudges me with her elbow.

“Careful,” she teases. “Watching Anson with Leia is dangerous.”

I turn to her, brow raised. “Oh?”

She grins knowingly. “Something about a man who’s good with kids … it messes with your head. That’s how I ended up with Lennon.”

I laugh, shaking my head, but I can’t deny there’s something about the way Anson is with Leia—playful but patient, letting her direct the game without ever losing that effortless charm of his. It’s a side of him I didn’t expect, and I like it.

I spend most of the evening with Avie and the other women, sipping wine and swapping stories. They ask about RV life, and I tell them about the places I’ve been—waking up to sunrises, camping beside crystal-clear lakes, the freedom of moving wherever the road takes me.

“It sounds amazing,” Audrey says. “But also … lonely?”

I hesitate for half a second before answering. “I wasn’t alone for most of it,” I admit. “There was a guy, but I woke up one morning, and he was gone.”

Amiya tilts her head. “Oh, now, it’s starting to make sense.”

“What is?” I ask.

“Why Anson said you two are just friends when he is so into you,” she says.

“Is he?” I glance toward Anson, who’s talking with Sebastian and Lennon by the grill, beer in hand, completely at ease.

“Girl, isn’t it obvious? I mean, he brought you here to spend the evening with us. He’s never introduced us to a woman before,” she says.

I bring my eyes to her. “Never? Really?”

“Never. He just goes off on his little conquests, but when it comes to family time—and, yes, we’re a family—it’s just him.”

A warm feeling spreads across my cheeks as I take in her words.

“Looks like maybe you’re into him too?” Audrey states.

“The past few months have been intense. I’ve been very focused on my next steps, trying to settle in and make a home,” I say slowly, avoiding the question. “I’m still figuring things out.”

They exchange knowing smiles, and I roll my eyes.

“And,” Avie says, leaning in conspiratorially, “how does Anson fit into that?”

They’re not going to drop it that easily.

“I don’t know,” I say automatically.

“Uh-huh.” Heather smirks. “You sure about that?”

I take a long sip of my wine. “We’re friends.”

Amiya snorts. “Right.”

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