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My forefinger traces the champagne glass before I take another drink. They don’t need to know everything, but I cackle as I tell the story of John jumping up on the bed, scared of the lizard.

It’s Adalee’s first day here. She was a gymnast at our college, and I’ve known her forever.

“Are you serious? I can’t imagine Basilio fearing anything.”

“Yeah, it was worth sleeping two in a bed,” I say, covering my mouth, hoping no one will hear.

Of course, I can’t get that lucky. The women lean in around the table.

“What?” Oakley asks with a know-it-all attitude.

Harper chuckles. “Spill.”

“He was pretending to get close to you,” Emmaline says, lifting a brow.

Lettie jumps on the bandwagon. “That’s what I was thinking.”

“If you would have seen the sheer terror on his face, you wouldn’t say that. It was hilarious.” I twiddle a piece of toast between my fingers. “It was me who asked to sleep with him. I acted like I wasn’t scared, but I couldn’t fall asleep thinking about what else might be in the room,” I admit, unable to look my friends in the eyes. “Nothing happened.”

The girls’ expressions range from shocked to tickled. Before they can ask more questions, Federberg and Coleman’s wives join us, with pool bags in hand. “Sorry we missed breakfast. We ended up drinking margaritas until the wee hours of the morning.”

Brooke waves them off. “It’s vacation. We all need to do what we want. Right, Becca?”

“Absolutely. In fact, I’m ready to go to the pool. Are you on your way?”

“Yeah, we reserved a cabana too.”

Excitement takes over, and all of us head to the adults only swimming area with an infinity pool, a lap pool, and an enormous pool with three distinct areas in a clover leaf pattern. A volleyball net in one leaf, a swim-up tiki bar in another, and the other is for standing or floating.

We find enough loungers situated around the edge of the pool. I remove my cover up, squeeze my sunscreen into my hand, and lather up my body. After everyone is settled, the soundof the ocean brings peace to my eyes, and I lie there thinking about last night and if the lizard will return.

I must have dozed off because when I open my eyes, the wives are floating on inflatable loungers, gently bobbing in the water. When I move to the pool’s edge, I carefully dangle my toes into the water, expecting it to be freezing, but the temperature is perfect for cooling my body without my teeth chattering.

Brooke jumps off her popsicle float, wading over to me. “Were you dreaming of John?” she asks.

“Funny. But I do need a drink.”

We migrate to the floating bar, a genius idea. I opt for a vodka cranberry. They give us cup holders that float, and somehow, the alcohol stays in the glasses despite the seesawing effect of the waves. Swapping stories and gossip, I’ve never laughed so hard for so long that my abs hurt, but listening to what their husbands are afraid of is hilarious.

“The new Chucky movie came out, and I mentioned going to see it. Reed was like, ‘Oh, hell no. And our kids are never seeing that movie.”

“Understandable,” I say. “So, we have men who are afraid of lizards, Chucky, clowns, wasps, and Brooke’s dad.”

Christina, Dawes’ ex-wife, now girlfriend, says, “I remember Mitch calling me saying that Coach Sweet was the scariest coach he had ever had. But he loves your dad,” she says to Brooke.

“He’s competitive, so I get it. He’s one of those men who, if you listen to him and do what he says, you’ll be rewarded with better skills and maybe a few championship rings. I hope Reed and Bryce can get one more Stanley Cup before Reed retires.”

“Retires? Really?” I ask.

“Yeah, with five kids, he doesn’t want to miss out. He knows what it means to raise yourself and not have a dad around.” She fills in the details of Reed’s trauma to Charla and Nova, the wives of Coleman and Federberg. “Reed and I wanted a big family since we’re both only children. Best decision ever, but damn, half the time, Idon’t know where I’m supposed to be. Reed feels guilty for traveling. He’s contemplating two more years, so he’ll be retired in time for Caleb’s senior year, and we can live Caleb’s dream with him.”

With all the talk about their kids, my heart aches. No kids.

When we finish our drinks, we grab another and return to our cushioned loungers. I grab my phone and ear buds from my beach tote and put on my classic vacation music—The Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet. The whole time I’m thinking of John’s note, so I tap out a message to him.

Me: You kept me safe?

John: Sunshine, we need to find that lizard. He’s my lucky charm.