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“It means Spanning Tree Protocol. Something was causing loops in the network. My immediate thought was that it was possibly a rogue device. It happens from time to time. People plug things into the network on the sly and don’t realize the havoc it can cause.

So, I quickly checked the MAC address tables, and that’s when I saw it—a single port was flooding the network with broadcasts.

I love when I can detect the source of the problem. ”

“Then everything was fixed?”

“Not yet. I had to grab my tablet and network scanner, and then I was able to trace the problem down to a small and forgotten conference room! I raced down there, and as soon as I stepped inside, I spotted the culprit—a dusty, unauthorized network switch plugged into the wall, looping two ports into each other like a snake eating its own tail!”

“Oh, wow! Look at you!”

“I know, right? So with a quick yank, I unplugged the rogue switch, and watched all the network alerts clear up almost instantly.”

“You were the hero! Yay, you!”

“Well…some called me a legend, but…that’s neither here nor there,” I humbly brag.

“Aww…were you wearing your glasses? Did Clark Kent solve the issue or Superman?”

I laugh. “A true hero never tells. I’m just glad it all worked out. This job has a lot of these weird issues, and I think someone in the office is trying to tie into the company network on the sly. I have a meeting with management tomorrow to discuss what to do next.”

“This all sounds very intense, and it sounds like there’s a bit of intrigue here—as in the suspense of a romantic suspense! Ash! This could be something!”

I’m frowning. “But…wasn’t that boring? Hell, I had to keep from yawning as I was telling the story.”

“I mean, it’s not super exciting on the surface, but with a little creative finessing, it totally could be amazing! Oh my goodness! I need to go. I need to go write! I have all these ideas suddenly. I love you and I’ll talk to you tomorrow! Goodnight!”

And before I know it, I’m listening to nothing.

“She hung up. She actually hung up on me.” I’m not sure if I’m offended or happy that I inspired her, but ultimately decide to be happy. My mission is complete.

And tomorrow’s another day for me to maybe add to this story she’s plotting tonight.

Huh. Maybe I am a superhero…

My phone is ringing, and I swear it’s way too early for it. Maybe I’m dreaming. After all, it’s Saturday—my day off—and when I left work yesterday, there weren’t any issues. But when the phone just keeps ringing, I know I have to see who it is.

“And try not to strangle them for waking me up,” I mumble around a yawn.

I blink the phone into focus and see Olivia’s face and instantly swipe the screen.

“Hey, good morning,” I say gruffly.

“Hey, I’m so sorry to wake you up, but we’re getting ready to head back to Raleigh and I really wanted to walk on the beach with you one last time.”

Walk on the beach…?

“Metaphorically,” she clarifies. “I’ll be walking on the beach while talking to you. It will almost be like you’re here with me.”

“Oh. Oh, okay,” I say, yawning again. Sitting up, I stack the pillows behind me and get comfortable. “Are your toes already in the sand?”

“They are! I wish yours were too.”

“Me too, beautiful. Me too.” And yet another yawn. “Are you all packed?”

“I am. We cleaned up everything yesterday so we wouldn’t have to do too much today.

Because construction’s starting next week, we didn’t have to do much.

Everything’s going to get covered in dust and debris, so it was just the basics.

We were good about finishing most of the food too.

Vanessa had us strip the beds and she’s doing all the laundry, Roxie’s out walking the dogs and hoping to tire them out, and Loren’s…

hmm…I’m not exactly sure what she’s doing. ”

“What time do you think you’ll be on the road?”

“We said we were going to meet back in the kitchen at eleven—so that’s in an hour—and have an early lunch so we won’t have to stop anywhere on the way home unless we need to.

Obviously Roxie’s going to stop with the dogs, but other than maybe getting gas or taking a bathroom break, the drive home should be relatively straight through. ”

“And is tonight the Cheesecake Factory night, or is that tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow. Tonight we are all doing our own thing. Well, sort of. Vanessa’s stuck with me, but we don’t have plans to all hang out together.

I think Zayne is supposed to bring dinner over for us, but I’m not sure.

I feel bad horning in on their time together when they’d probably rather be alone, but they’ll be rid of me in a few days. ”

“They’re adults, Liv. I’m sure they’ll live without being alone tonight. And since we’re all adults, he might stay over.”

“Ugh…I didn’t think of that. Her place is kind of small. I really hope I don’t hear them doing anything. Maybe I should have ordered those earplugs when I had the chance, huh?” she teases.

“You’ll be fine. It’s only one night.” I shift slightly and stretch. “Is the beach crowded already?”

“It’s getting there. The weather is gorgeous as usual. It’s supposed to be in the high 90s. Oh!”

“What?” I sit up straighter. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“What? Yes! Oh, Ash…I can see the dolphins! There’s a whole pod of them! Wow!” She sighs loudly. “Now I really wish you were here with me! This is so cool!”

“I’m sure it is,” I tell her.

For the next few minutes, she continues to walk, and we talk about nothing in particular—mostly the beach and what she’s going to miss about it. But when she gasps again, I swear she nearly gives me a heart attack.

“What? Now what’s going on?”

“Son of a bitch…”

“What? What is it? Are you okay? Do I need to call Vanessa? Or 911?”

“No, it’s just…” Another softer gasp.

“Olivia! Dammit, tell me what’s happening!”

“Roxie is kissing some guy!”

“Are you sure? That doesn’t sound like Roxie.”

“Oh, it’s her alright. She’s been sneaking off and meeting him. I just didn’t even consider that she’d be doing that this morning.”

“Wait, what? Roxie’s been meeting some guy? Who is he?”

“I kind of feel like a creeper standing here and watching them. Should I turn around and head back to the house?”

“Um…”

“I’m going to turn around and head back to the house. I’ll deal with her later.” Another small huff of breath is all I get for a moment.

“Liv?”

“Yeah, so…she met this guy when she went to the yarn shop. It belonged to his grandmother and now his parents run it. He lives here in Cape Breeze and has two dogs. They started talking when she noticed the dogs—a beagle and a Pomeranian. That led to her sharing pictures of her dogs, and he mentioned how he takes them walking every afternoon on the beach.”

“So she started walking with him?”

“Yup. And now she’s kissing him. She didn’t mention the kissing part. I just thought she was testing the waters by hanging out with a guy, I had no idea they’d moved on to this.”

“Maybe it just happened?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. But she asked me not to tell anyone, and now I feel bad because I’m telling you.”

“Yeah, but I’m not going to tell anyone. I promise.”

“Thanks.”

I try to distract her as she makes her way back to Vanessa’s house, but it doesn’t work.

“Look, you can’t say anything in front of the girls. And if she wants to talk to you about it, she will. Don’t push. This is kind of a big deal. Roxie’s been very anti-men for a while now.”

“I know, I know. It just sucks that we’re leaving today. I wish we didn’t have to. Or…that she didn’t have to.”

“She can go back any time she wants.”

“I suppose.”

By the time she gets back to the house, she’s more at ease with the situation.

Thankfully.

“Go and have lunch and be safe driving back to Raleigh.”

“Okay,” she says miserably. “I hate hanging up.”

“We’ll talk sometime tonight, I promise. Tell the girls I said hello and remember, let Roxie set the pace.”

“Ugh…fine,” she lightly whines. “Love you. Sorry I woke you up.”

“Love you too, and I’m not sorry you woke me up. I enjoyed walking on the beach with you too.”

“Kay. I’ll talk to you later.”

When I put the phone down, I contemplate going back to sleep, but I’m kind of fully awake.

Sort of.

Instead of getting out of bed, I pick my phone back up and start looking at places to rent in Raleigh. And for a little while, I lose myself in finding potential places for Olivia to move to when the time comes.

I’ve already helped with the plot of her book, so maybe I can help with this too.

And keep my superhero status going.