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“Stay at mine,” Rachel stated, suddenly feeling protective, wanting to make sure Ainsley got what she needed tonight. “This way you won’t be looking at all those unpacked boxes. We’ll order in, put on a movie and have a chill night. We’ll be in bed by nine.”

Ainsley hummed contentedly.

“That sounds perfect, actually; thank you. You treat me so good.”

Rachel quirked an eyebrow.

“Just be sure to treat me as good,” she said, smirking. “Krissy already has Becca and me practically married in case you and I break up.”

“Oh wow!” Ainsley said. “I guess I’d better watch my step, huh?”

“Yep. Now, let’s go get changed.”

In the locker room, as everyone was stripping off their street clothes to reveal the beachwear beneath, Charlotte stood on one of the benches.

“Now that we’re all here,” she began, “I have an announcement to make.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up at her with curiosity.

“It turns out that one of the little monsters I treated this past week is the daughter of one of the coaches of our women’s national volleyball team.”

Her friends made murmurs and other sounds of being impressed.

“And to thank me for caring for his precious little darling,” Charlotte continued, “he offered me tickets to a friendly the team is playing next Saturday against Sweden in San Diego.”

“Lucky!” Wendy interjected.

Charlotte held up her hands in a be patient gesture.

“Hold on; hold on,” she said. “I told him I’d love to come to the game but I would love it even more if I could bring about a dozen of my nearest and dearest volleyball-playing friends with me.”

“Seriously?” Rachel asked. She hadn’t been to a pro-level volleyball match since before the pandemic.

“Yep!” And here Charlotte reached into the pocket of her jeans and whipped o

ut an envelope with all the flair of a magician making a bouquet of roses appear out of thin air. “He had the tickets delivered the very next day.”

Charlotte was definitely the hero of the moment then, with all her friends crowding around her and talking excitedly. But once more, Charlotte held up her hands, indicating she wasn’t done.

“And because he knows we play volleyball all the time, he invited us to meet the team before the game.”

Now the excitement level was kicked up even more. Two of Rachel’s favorite players in the world were on the national team. The chance to meet such amazing athletes was an incredible opportunity.

“The only catch is,” Charlotte said after it quieted down, “you need to be vaccinated to attend the match and to meet the players, of course; so bring your cards with you.” She looked at Rachel. “Rach, this is your chance to show your skills and make the national team!”

Rachel laughed.

“Yeah, if I go through a growth spurt,” she answered. She knew the shortest player on the national team was Ainsley’s height.

“That many tickets?” Veronica asked.

Charlotte shrugged.

“You know how it is here in America,” she said. “Women’s sports aren’t supported nearly as much as men’s.”

“Damn, Charlotte,” Lucinda said, “I didn’t know you were such a good pediatrician.”

“I am a fabulous pediatrician,” Charlotte replied. “It’s only my attitude which sucks.”