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I laughed and shook free. “Stop being nice to me and tell me what to wear.”

“Do you have a cocktail dress?” Emory asked.

“Do I have a cocktail dress?” I had several and kept them reserved for swankier events, but I wasn’t sure if this one qualified. Kristin hadn’t been specific.

“They’re usually pretty nice dinners,” Sarah said. “You’ve met Lucy, right? She does everything first class. Expect place cards. Long-stemmed glasses. That kind of thing.”

I grinned, loving the idea of attending a fancy-sounding party. “Oh, I’m all in on this. Plus, it will give me a chance to see Kristin and Lucy together, which honestly, I’m trying to imagine.” Lucy, who I’d met a handful of times, was Emory’s best friend in the world. She was charismatic, talkative, and the life of any party. Kristin, on the other hand, was friendly but definitely more conservative in her demeanor. Thoughtful, which made sense coming from her writing background.

“Kristin grounds Lucy, and Lucy inspires Kristin to let go.”

“Like you do for me,” Emory said, grinning.

“Now you’re just trying to score points.”

Emory mimed a jump shot. “And?”

“At least ten,” Sarah said and raised a seductive eyebrow. I felt like a voyeur just being in the room.

I waited, but they were still looking at each other like soap opera characters. “And that’s my cue to get the hell out of here and let you two be in love.” I pointed at Emory as I backed out of the kitchen. “Ilove you. And I’m serious about pitching in.” I turned my focus to Sarah. “Anything you two need, you call me, or I’ll be royally pissed off.”

Emory winced. “Can’t have an angry cousin-in-law.”

I stared at her. “I’m a bulldog with a reporter’s microphone. I’ll chew you up and take a quote.”

“Chilling,” Sarah said, hugging me with the protective arms of an older cousin. “You be good to the world, little Sky. I’ll see you at my mom’s for dinner on Sunday, okay?”

I grinned, enjoying the fact that I no longer had to miss out on those kinds of family gatherings. “I’ll be there with my stomach and its friend, my other stomach.”

“Good, because my mother wouldn’t have you otherwise. You’d be on the curb, thinking about what you’ve done.” She touched her chest. “Speaking from experience.”

Before I left, I raced back and gave Emory one last firm hug, tearing up in the process, and hoping that I communicated in that embrace all the love and respect I had for her. “You’re going to be okay,” I said in her ear.

“Thank you,” she whispered back, emotion choking her voice in a manner so uncharacteristic that it forced a lump in my throat. It was a startling reminder of the universe’s power when the strongest person you knew was the one shown vulnerable to an illness. It made me stop and take stock and say a little prayer of gratitude for all that I had. She gave me a little shove. “Now get out of here and go kick ass at the station. I’m going to need something good to watch when I’m stuck on the couch soon.”

I grinned through my tears. “I love a good challenge, and I won’t let you down.”

* * *

Sarah had been right. Blessed Betty. When I pulled up to the two-story home along Mission Beach, it stole my breath and made me stare. Not just the house—white, modern, and with a lot of large windows—but the surrounding landscape. Palm trees loomed in front, and the gentle sound of the ocean floated in from the back. My heart squeezed. I loved the ocean and couldn’t imagine getting to live in such close proximity. Kristin and Lucy’s driveway was short and small, which left cars lining the road. I searched for a spot, took a deep breath, andwalked in my heels and my short black dress up the walk, taking in the last sliver of sunlight as it waned pink and orange on the horizon.

The door swung open as I made my way up the curve of the sidewalk, and Lucy beamed at me, stunning in a white dress off one shoulder. She matched the house beautifully. Her dark hair had been pulled into a knot at her neck, and her blue eyes sparkled. “I haven’t seen you in I don’t know how long, and now look at you! And a reporter in a market like this one?”

She held open her arms, and I stepped into them and kissed her cheek. “I don’t live in a house as stunning as this one, but I’m doing okay. Hi. It’s great to see you.”

“Skyler. Kristin gushes about you. Daily. It makes me so proud to say I knew you when you were just a kid.”

Kristin gushed about me? That was news, and it bolstered my confidence instantly. My boss was happy with my performance. I could rest a little easier. “Well, I could easily gush right back and do, nightly, to my dog, who’s now the biggest Kristin fan.” I switched to sincerity. “Seriously, though, she’s great at her job. The calm in the storm.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” She stepped back. “Well, come in and mingle, grab a drink. We have everything. Make yourself at home, and you’ll find everyone gathering in the living area.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you in there. Oh, and Lucy, thank you for having me.” I handed over a bottle of wine because my mother had taught me manners.

“Are you kidding? I’m thrilled to have grown-up little Skyler at my dinner party.”

I left her at the door to greet the other arriving guests and made my way inside. Quiet music played from somewhere unseen as I made my way through the foyer, theclick click clickof my heels following me. The table, in what seemed to be the formal dining room, was set beautifully for twelve, folded white cloth napkins and all. I didn’t see Emory or Sarah in the small handful of people mingling in the large living room, but my gaze landed on someone I did recognize, Carrie. She turned in that moment and met my gaze, breaking into a soft smile. She wore black pants and killer stilettos along with a sleeveless flowing blue top. How she managed to look both dressy and beachy at the same time, I had no idea. But that was Caroline. Her hair was down, soft and kind of wavy in the gentle sense. Out of her anchor attire and fancy hair and makeup she looked even more stunning. Before this moment, I hadbeen sure that would have been impossible, but this woman was born with natural beauty. She moved in my direction, and I straightened, preparing to speak or listen or a combination of both.Just relax. Smile.

“Well, you look fabulous.” That was not the opening line I was expecting and swallowed, my plan shot. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”