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“Whatever. Princess, call your dad. He misses you.” He turned on his heel, following Captain Nick below.

“Come on,” I urged, tugging Anya back toward the dock. I stepped over, catching her as she threw herself toward me as if she couldn’t escapeThe Codfatherfast enough.

I hugged her close, rocking her in my arms. She trembled, the fine tremor making me wish I could have done more to discourage Owen.

“Let’s go home.”

We walked across the dock. With every step away from the boat, the tightness in Anya’s shoulders eased, until she was all but melted against me at the crosswalk.

“Would you rather stop at Harbor Brews for a drink first?” I asked.

“Yes, please.”

Violet and the gang were clustered around a table near the door when we arrived.

“You still up for this?” I whispered.

She nodded, and I placed our drink orders with Isa at the counter while she joined our friends.

Anya patted the couch next to her as I approached with a pint glass in each hand. She accepted her glass with a grateful smile. Already, I could see the lines of tension easing from her face. Sitting with her plastered against my side helped me relax.

The threat was over. For now.

Leaving things in Agent Harris’s control left me feeling antsy, but there was nothing more for us to do. And keeping Anya as far away as possible from Owen was the smart move.

“Everything go okay tonight?” Vi asked.

Anya nodded.

“That’s gotta be a relief,” Rae said.

Lucy raised her glass. “To taking out the trash.”

“Hear, hear,” Zach said, tapping his glass to hers.

“To the best friends a girl could ask for,” Anya said softly, raising her glass. I clinked gently with her and she added, “and the best boyfriend.”

As good as it felt to hear her say it, it wasn’t enough. But there was time for more. Time for us now that we could place Owen in the rearview mirror.

“To connections,” Lee said, nodding to Clay.

“And to the women we want to marry,” Clay added, winking at Lucy.

“No.” Her denial was swift, but I noticed she still sipped at her drink.

“I’ll drink to that,” I said, holding Anya’s gaze. She let a tiny smile peek through, nipping a bit from her cider.

Zach made a face. Lee drank without comment. Vi looked sad for a moment, her gaze on Anya, but she drank, a grin slowly overtaking her features.

“Have you had any more search and rescue calls?” Lucy asked, maybe trying to avoid more proposals from the overeager park ranger.

“Nah, it’s been quiet,” Zach said.

“Usually, we start to get more calls as the busy season heats up,” I added.

Lucy looked thoughtful. “WNFH hasn’t had any news on Jordan. Has the medical examiner issued a ruling on his death?”

“Preliminary report is for an accidental death, but the final toxicology report is still a few weeks out,” Rae said. “I was able to swing by and check on Jia today.”