Reunion By The Sea

“I hope so.” Parker said, although he wouldn’t swear to it. Not yet.

“What business you got in the Lower 48, anyway?”

“The none-of-your-business kind.”

Denali snorted. “You ain’t sick are ya?”

“No. It’s family stuff, okay? I’ll be back as soon as I can. And don’t give Mark a hard time. He’s doing me a favor.”

“He’s got shifty eyes, that one.”

“Either deal with it or he can skip you this week,” Parker said, imagining the old guy’s eyes bugging out of his head. “Your choice.”

“What’s the matter with you? I gotta eat, don’t I? So does Elmo,” Denali sputtered. “By the way, he needs the other food. He won’t eat the chunky kind.”

“That cat eats better than I do. Call Mark and he’ll get it out to you if I’m not there to do it myself.”

“Don’t stay out there too long. Too much noise’ll rot your brain.”

“Right.”

“Now I have to call everybody and tell ’em you ain’t coming.”

“You do that. And tell them to be nice to Mark.”

“If he’s still shoppin’, tell him to throw in some Tongass Forest cookies. The big box.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.”

A grunt was the only response Parker got before Denali disconnected.

* * *

IT HAD TAKEN about an hour, but Ginny had finally relaxed. Catching up with her old friends felt like a tonic. Which was good, because the tea they were drinking hadn’t done the trick.

Gosh, they all looked so beautiful and carefree in their colorful sundresses, and their laughter was a time machine, taking her back to the days when these girls had been her only real break from piano practice and study. Well, these girls plus Meg.

If only...

Harlow lifted her glass. “Old friends are the best.”

Everyone nodded as they toasted, and Ginny couldn’t help picturing Meg at the table. Although she hadn’t been too tight with the others, they’d always made her feel welcome.

As Ginny lowered her glass, she did a quick sweep of the bar area, making sure Parker hadn’t suddenly popped by. She had no business being distracted while she had the rare opportunity to be with her gang. From this moment forward, she wasn’t going to do a thing but be present.

“Guess who’s here this weekend,” Harlow said, looking at Jade. “Fletcher Preston.”

Jade winced. “So, what do I care?”

Cricket and Harlow laughed.

Ginny smiled, wishing being “present” made it easier to forget about Parker.

“You were into him all of junior year,” Harlow said, as the waitress came to the table with a fresh pitcher of tea.

“At least you’re not denying it,” Ginny said, while Jade poured.

“No.” Jade grunted. “Men are dopes.”

Cricket and Harlow grinned. “Not all men.”

“Most men.”

Sipping her tea, Harlow looked around at the packed tables. “There’s someone in LA that I’ve been kind of seeing. No one special though. Another teacher. Science and math. You’d like him, Jade.”

“Just because I’m a chemist doesn’t mean I instantly bond with all other science nerds. Especially the men—superior jerks.”

“Now this is like old times,” Ginny said. “Remember Tommy Zico? That creep? Is he here? I didn’t see his name...” She gave in to the pull of scoping out the lobby again.

Harlow shuddered. “I hope not.”

“Well, how about that?” Ginny said. “Cricket. Check out who’s at the activity board.”

Jade followed Cricket’s gaze. “I’ll take him to go, please.”

It was Wyatt, the bartender from the local watering hole, Sam’s Sugar Shack. She and Cricket had met him yesterday when she’d asked Cricket for legal advice regarding Tilda...without actually mentioning names or admitting the advice was for her. He looked even scruffier, wearing a sweat-stained T-shirt over running shorts, his stubble darker, his hair a mess. Ginny had to admit, he looked hot.

“Wait a minute,” Jade said. “Cricket? He’s so not your type.”

“You don’t even know what my type is.”

“Uh, corporate. Silk tie. Penthouse apartment. Porsche.”

“You’re so wrong.” Cricket quickly polished off her drink and dropped her napkin on the table. “Don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone.”

“Why, you hogging him all for yourself?”

“Very possibly.” She tugged her dress down, then headed his way.

Ginny’s anxiety level rose at least two notches. Seeing Wyatt reminded her that Parker could be anywhere in the crowded lobby. She guessed there was no true break from reality. “Hey, I’ve got an idea,” she leaned closer to the others. “How about we go to Sam’s and get away from the reunion crowd for a bit?”

“I’m in,” Jade said, still watching the action at the activity board. “That’s probably where all the guys who aren’t from Roger Williams are.”

“Good point.” Harlow put down her glass. “The mere idea of running into that blowhard Frank Geary gives me hives. I saw him yesterday, and he tried to talk my ear off.”

“Well, that’s a nightmare no one needs.” Jade said.

Ginny laid some money on the table. “Do you guys think we should tell Cricket where we’re going?”