Reunion By The Sea. Jo Leigh

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?”

      “I don’t think she’ll care.” Jade nodded toward the activity board. The two looked pretty cozy already. “Come on, I’d like to see Sam’s now that I’m legal.”

      Harlow and Ginny both laughed.

      “What?” Jade’s voice was the epitome of innocence.

      Harlow snorted. “As if being underage ever stopped you.”

      After they settled the check, Ginny led the way to the beach. Being outside was a relief. It was hot, yes, but the ocean breeze coming off the bay felt like heaven.

      “I got dibs on anyone who remotely resembles the bartender,” Jade said.

      Harlow stopped so suddenly Ginny almost ran into her. “Are you nuts? You can’t have dibs before we even walk in.”

      “Who says?”

      Harlow towered over Jade, but there was fierceness in both their eyes. They’d had enough challenges in their lives that Ginny already knew they could hold their own against the rest of the world. She’d always envied their gumption. Cricket’s too. Ginny had been more of a follower in the beginning. It was Meg who’d made her believe she could stand her ground. Always before, she’d been cowed by her father, who’d had a knack for finding her weak spots and exploiting them.

      Meg had had his number from the first time she’d come over to Ginny’s. If it hadn’t been for her friend’s unwavering belief in shy little Ginny, she’d never have had the courage to leave Juilliard and care for Tilda despite her father’s vehement disapproval.

      “Okay, fine,” Jade said. “We get to the table and if we like the same guy, I’ll arm wrestle you for him.”

      Harlow laughed. “You little pip-squeak. There’s no way you’ll win.”

      “Oh, really? We’ll just see about that.”

      Ginny had clearly missed some of the conversation, but the two of them were now speed-walking to Sam’s. Ginny had to hustle to catch up, anxious now to see the outcome of this World Wrestling Federation mash-up. She giggled as they went up the few stairs to the popular hangout, while Jade and Harlow egged each other on.

      “Wow, this place hasn’t changed a bit,” Harlow said as she glanced around at the funky decor, with hanging piñatas and bikini tops dangling over the tables and wicker chairs, assorted bric-a-brac like Hula-Hoops and license plates hung on the walls and from the ceiling. Hula girls bobbled in