Page 15

The trio paddled toward the inlet, the sound of the waves growing softer as they entered the sheltered area. The water was still and clear, offering a perfect view of the sandy bottom, scattered with shells and flowing seaweed. Maggie was the first to slip off her board and wade into the shallow water.

"This is amazing," Maggie said, her voice carrying over the stillness of the bay. She tilted her head back, letting the sunlight dance across her face.

"We should’ve brought snacks." Danica laughed, sitting cross-legged on her board as they watched Maggie explore the sandy beach. "This is the perfect picnic spot."

Kiera smiled faintly, leaning her paddle against her board and dipping her fingers into the cool water. The quiet companionship of the moment felt fragile but welcome, a brief respite from the awkwardness she’d been feeling since they arrived.

Danica’s gaze lingered on Kiera for a moment before she spoke. "I love you, you know.”

Kiera blinked, caught off guard by both the softness in Danica’s voice and the directness of her statement. "I love you, too. And I'm sor?—"

Danica held up a hand. "I know. It's just hard to let it all go. I'm hoping this weekend will help, you know? I miss you, but what happened..."

"Sucked," Kiera said flatly.

Danica let out a huff of a laugh. "It sucked."

Kiera sighed. "I know. It was really stupid, and believe me, I've had a lot of time to think about it.”

Maggie waved toward them, shouting, "I found a little crab!" Danica and Kiera waved back like a pair of indulgent parents.

"You're doing a good job, you know. With the girls. With leaving Alex. It's not easy, but I'm proud of you," Danica said, her tone gentle but firm. "You’re doing the best you can, and that’s enough."

The words settled over Kiera, unexpected and comforting. She swallowed hard, her throat tight. "Thanks," she murmured, not trusting herself to say more without turning into a blubbering mess.

"You think he'll stay on my paddle board?" Maggie asked, cupping the tiny creature in her hands as she waded back into the shallows.

"No, babe," Kiera said flatly, shaking her head.

Danica sighed. "You cannot bring him back with us or Pete will name him, and we'll end up with a mascot that none of us can bring on a plane."

Maggie furrowed her brow, as she gently released him back into the water with a dramatic flourish of her hands. "A good point. So long, Sir Crabbington of Paddleboardshire."

The three of them lingered in the inlet for a while longer, relaxing and floating and taking their time. Watching Maggie and Danica’s easy banter, she realized the rift between herand Danica might not be insurmountable after all. The shared memories, the quiet understanding, and the bond they once had — it all felt within reach again.

After an hour or so, the group met up again on Pacific Beach. Pete and Maggie tossed a frisbee back and forth, while Danica crouched near the water’s edge, building an elaborate sandcastle, complete with a moat. Kiera sat cross-legged on the sand, watching Izzy out of the corner of her eye as she unpacked a small cooler that she and Pete had grabbed from the house.

After a long moment of silence, Kiera ventured, "This is nice."

Izzy shrugged, her expression unreadable as she busied herself with arranging bottles of water and a few snacks. "Yeah.”

The awkwardness between them lingered like a low-hanging cloud, but Kiera pressed on. "With your divorce... how long did it take you to feel like a normal human being again?"

Izzy finally glanced at her, and Kiera thought she caught the faintest flicker of something softening in her eyes before the guarded wall returned. "I thought things worked with Paisley because we didn’t need each other too much, but I don’t think we truly ever let each other in," Izzy said quietly, surprising Kiera. "It didn’t end in some big fight. It just… wore me down. Like I gave and gave, and I only got polite silence in return.”

Kiera frowned. “That sounds awful.”

“It was awful. I felt so distant and hollow after.” Izzy chewed her lip, staring out at the horizon. Then, as if snapping out of a daze, she cleared her throat. “I don’t know if I’ve ever felt like a normal human being, to be honest.”

Kiera let out a bitter laugh. “I know that feeling well.”

Izzy made a faint noise of agreement.

"So, the divorce was mutual? I don't really know anything about her.... about Paisley," Kiera said, hating Paisley immediately regardless of a lack of facts.

"We weren't married long, and we didn't have kids," Izzy replied, as if that negated telling her more details.

"Yeah," Kiera said. "That makes things less complicated on paper, but maybe not less complicated in reality.”