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“Um, really?” I scratched the back of my neck. “Seems like a nice place, but I’m happy to find out the names of your city council members. May I jot down your phone number?” I was a little proud of myself for this one.

“The jackoffs at the Encinitas city council aren’t going to do anything unless it’s related to outdoor dining or ADUs. Meanwhile, drug addicts are ruining our city. If you pay several million dollars for a house, you shouldn’t have to worry about tripping over junkies on the way to the mailbox. The cops take forever to arrest them and it’s like, do a countywide sweep and be done with it.”

“These are people,” I said. The green light to debate constituents was not in my packet, but this lady was working my nerves. “They can’t just dissolve into the ether.”

“Fortune favors those who help themselves,” she said.

“I mean, not really,” I said.Leave, Gabby. You’re in over your head.

“Wouldn’t you be upset if you were spending a day at the park and there was a drifter sleeping in a tent nearby?”

“Um, yeah, because a human had to sleep in a tent.” I took a deep breath and counted to three. When I looked up, I saw what appeared to be Raj creeping across the parking lot. I wasn’t sure why I’d invited him, other than he seemed lonely and sad and maybe he could network and get a lead on a job? Could a transit attorney even network at a beach? Who really knew. But I was glad he’d come. Now I had an excuse to detach.

“There are a million services available,” the woman said as I watched Talia approach Raj. This would never do. My sister couldn’t help but pry and she’d mistake him for my boyfriend again. Then they might start talking about PBS, and she’d find out the monkey was mine, and cans of worms would spill everywhere.

“It’s been wonderful speaking to you,” I said to the terrible lady. “I’ll leave you to review the materials.”

With that, I turned and hustled toward the tent, calling Raj’s name, but he was too busy looking at my sister, head tilted, as though she had something fascinating to say.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Talia

The man laughed. He had a nice set of teeth. “I don’t know who I’m voting for in the primary. But I’m here to meet a friend.” He looked around. “She told me this was a community get-together, but it appears to be some kind of political rally?”

“Not a rally,” Talia said. “A beach cleanup. A chance to brighten the community alongside the candidate.”

“Who’s the candidate?” he asked, craning over the very modest crowd.

“My father. Marston Gunn. He’s running for the United States Senate.” Talia studied the man, racking her brain. He was her age, maybe a little older, and therefore too old to be friends with most of the volunteers. Maybe he knew Ivan. “You said somebody invited you?”

“I’m here to see Gabby. Gabby... I’m not sure of her last name?” He laughed again. “Wow, that’s embarrassing.”

Talia stared, incredulous. “That Gabby?” She pointed. “Talking to the scowling blonde lady?” The woman seemed less than thrilled to be in Gabby’s company, but at least her sister was actively engaging someone instead of taking what appeared to be a long and solitary walk.

“Yes, that’s her!” the man said, and Talia rolled her eyes. Of course. Who else would describe the event in such a squirrelly, half-assed manner? A “community get-together.” For the love of God.

“That’s my sister. Gabby Gunn.” Gabby was making her way over, a look of sheer terror on her face. “I’m sorry.” She swiveled back to the man. “What did you say your name was?”

He introduced himself as Raj, and it took a beat for the name to ring a bell. It was him—the supposedfriend—and Talia had to restrain herself from inquiring whether they were hooking up. It was weird she didn’t know what her sister was up to, and whether or not she was gay. Ozzie must’ve. Maybe even their dad. Did Gabby assume Talia wouldn’t be supportive? Talia loved gay people! She was an ally!

Suddenly a fresh idea began to take shape. Gabby was extremely cagey about this Raj character. Was she...having an affair? Talia didn’t think Gabby would intentionally seek out a married man but could imagine a scenario where, through a series of polite misunderstandings, Gabby ended up in a relationship with one, unable to find her way out.

“I’m going to say hello,” Raj said, and started to step away. “Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.”

Talia grabbed his sleeve. “My name’s Talia, by the way,” she said, extending a hand. He eyed it for a second before returning the gesture. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you registered to vote?”

He said he was, and Gabby was now jogging toward them, looking quite silly plodding clumsily through the sand. The Jindo had a much swifter time of it.

“What about your wife?” Talia pressed. “Is she also registered to vote?”

“I’m not married,” Raj said a little glumly.

“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Gabby said, stumbling up. She had a thick sheen of sweat on her forehead though the weather was cool. “What’s going on over here? Discussing corporate law? You’re both lawyers. Isn’t that funny?”

“Wait,” Raj said, looking back and forth between the sisters as he pieced things together. “Gabby. You never mentioned you were a Gunn. What the heck?”

“It didn’t come up,” she said, eyes darting away.