Page 42 of Chasing Sunsets

Avie sighs. “That’s very poetic and all, but I still think you should be charging more.”

I laugh, turning back to my display, but when I glance at them again, I catch a shared look passing between them. A look I don’t trust.

“What?” I ask warily.

“Well …” Amiya starts, drawing out the word.

“We came over because we have a little invitation for you,” Avie finishes, her smile bright and hopeful.

I narrow my eyes. “An invitation?”

Amiya nods. “We’re throwing a sip-and-see for our friend Eden. She and Wade—Lennon’s friend—had a baby girl six months ago, and we figured it was about time everyone got together to celebrate her.”

I blink. “A what?”

“A sip-and-see,” Avie repeats. “You know, where everyone comes over, sips some drinks, and sees the baby.”

I hesitate, glancing between them. I love babies and can coo over them for hours, but I haven’t met Eden or Wade. “I don’t know. They don’t even know me, and that seems personal.”

“Oh, come on,” Amiya presses. “It’ll be fun. All of us will be there, including Anson—”

At his name, something flickers in my chest. Not nerves exactly. Something else. Something I don’t want to analyze right now.

“It’s really casual,” Avie adds. “No pressure, no baby games or anything weird. Just an excuse to get together, eat, drink, and celebrate.”

I hesitate again.

Amiya, ever perceptive, sees my resistance and smirks. “You’re not scared of a little baby, are you?”

I roll my eyes. “No.”

“Then, come.”

I exhale, crossing my arms. “I don’t have a gift.”

Avie waves a hand. “Not necessary.”

I press my lips together, still unsure, but the two of them are looking at me with such hopeful determination that I know they won’t drop this.

And the idea of being around them—not just them, but this little group they’ve formed, the one Anson is part of—doesn’t feel as suffocating as it should.

“Fine,” I say, sighing dramatically. “I’ll come. When is it?”

Avie claps her hands together. “Yay! It’s Friday evening.”

Amiya grins. “You’ll love Eden. She’s great, and we’ve already told her all about you. She’s excited to meet you.”

They already told her about me?

“Okay. Um, let me find a pen so you can write your address down. I have one here somewhere,” I say as I glance around my table.

Amiya waves me off. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll just tell Anson to pick you up and bring you. Bring a bathing suit, by the way.”

“Okay.” I nod, but I’m already wondering what I just got myself into.

Avie picks up the painting she was looking at. “I want this one. It’s my mom’s birthday, and I was looking for something local to send her. This is perfect. A little slice of Sandcastle Cove she can hang in Atlanta.”

“Oh, that’s good,” Amiya says. “I should get the other sunset one for Eden. The baby’s nursery is beach-themed, and it would look great above her crib.”

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