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“I’ve been thinking about this. A lot, actually.” Elena’s eyes were sparkling. “I want to move back to the Cove. With you.”

Skylar felt a warm tear fall from her eyes as she smiled. “Really?”

“Why do you sound so surprised?” Elena laughed. “I love you, Sky.”

“I love you, too. I just never thought we’d have this second chance.”

“Well, we do, so we better make the most of it.” Leaning in, Elena kissed her slow and long. “There is one question I have, though.”

“Ask.”

“Do you want me to buy a house in the Cove or…”

“Your ass will be moving into my house, and I won’t hear you ever suggest we live somewhere separate again.”

“Deal,” Elena chuckled as they resumed their kissing.

Chapter 31

Elena

Taking the final bow with Maine Event had been more bittersweet than Elena had been prepared for. She knew the Maine Event reunion was only temporary, but it was hard to say goodbye to her friends yet again. Which was why Elena had arranged for them to have one last dinner together at her Santa Barbara home.

The dinner was catered, of course. Elena’s favorite Mexican restaurant had set up a full taco bar for them, along with a variety of margaritas to choose from. Skylar had been sipping on them all afternoon as they waited for everyone to arrive.

“Save some for the band,” Elena scolded as Skylar refilled her glass again. “Are you still wanting to tell them what we’ve been talking about?”

“I am if you are.”

They had spent the night before planning their next step together. Both of them agreed they wanted to settle down, but neither of them wanted to give up music and performing altogether. So when Skylar suggested they write some songs together and put out their own album, Elena was intrigued.

“I am. I think everyone will be happy about our decision. It’s not like we all secretly harbor bad thoughts toward each other.”

Skylar dramatically winced. “Oh, that reminds me. I’ve been meaning to tell you that I secretly harbor some bad thoughts about you.”

“Oh, yeah?” Elena arched her eyebrow at her. “How bad are we talking?”

“Bad and dirty.”

“Just my kind of thoughts.”

As their lips met, the doorbell rang.

“Okay, right now, my bad thoughts are all focused on that damn doorbell.”

“Agreed.”

Laughing, Elena walked over to the front door and let Gordon and Andy inside. They joined Skylar and Elena in the kitchen until Michael and Erica arrived, and they moved into the dining room. The conversation was light as they ate. Their stories mostly stuck to memories of the tour and joking about how they were too old to tour again.

“I’m glad we did it, but I’m glad to have my weekends back too.” Erica took another taco shell off the plate in the center of the table and prepared another taco. “What are you and Skylar going to do now that the tour is over?”

“Well, I’m glad you asked.” Elena looked beside her at Skylar and smiled. “I’m going to move back to the Cove with Skylar.”

“That’s awesome!” Andy high-fived her across the table. “Gordon and I were just saying we wanted to get back there.”

“Mom and Dad keep asking us to move back and settle down, so maybe it’s time.” Gordon nonchalantly shrugged as he finished off another taco. “So, what about the band? Are you going to keep touring, Elena?”

“That’s something else we wanted to talk to you all about.”