Page 45 of Magical Melee

Skye walked through the maze of boxes and opened her arms wide as she came in for her typical bear hug. Before she went in for the squeeze, she picked off some chips from my flannel shirt and tossed them into the sink.

“All better.” She squeezed me tightly and let out a sigh. “I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

I chuckled and shook my head, taking a step back. “I’m only moving twenty minutes away, and it’s a short-term rental. Who knows where I’ll really end up.”

She twisted her lips into a pout and chuckled. “I know, but I liked walking across the street better.”

“You can thank Alex for that.”

“Oh, I do.” She grinned wider. “Every. Single. Day.”

My brows furrowed. “How so?”

“I send him a morning greeting.” She beamed. “I’ve never missed a day.”

“Do I want to know what they say?” I smiled and shook my head. Skye always had a knack for putting a smile on my face.

She looked out the kitchen window and gasped. Her eyes widened, her cheeks blushed, and she turned away quickly. “Is that the batty neighbor?”

I chuckled. “I’m pretty sure he’s as mentally healthy as they come, but he likes to…” I held in a giggle. “Connect with nature.”

She peeked over my shoulder, and her eyes widened again. “I didn’t know men could bend like that.”

“Are you telling me Patrick isn’t into acrobatics?” I teased.

“That’s not acrobatics.” She shuddered.

“But you can’t stop looking, can you?”

She chuckled and shrugged. “I’m human. What can I say?”

“So, tell me…”

“Tell you what?”

“Will you go back to Stonewick after your short-term rental is up?”

“I don’t know. I can’t decide.” I shook my head. “I feel like the place got inside of my head, and finding out I used to go with my dad did all kinds of things to me. Grief is a funny thing. It’s been how long, and I still crave his presence? That picture set it off.”

She squeezed my hand and nodded. “I know. It’s just…I’m not a big believer in coincidence.”

I shook my head. “What do you mean?”

“The one place you’ve been told to stay away from is the one place you fall in love with.” Her eyes stayed on mine. “Admit it. You love the place.”

I nodded. “I do.”

“So why not try it?” she prompted.

“My mom will kill me when she finds out that not only did I vacation there, I’m moving to Stonewick.”

“It’s not her life,” Skye pointed out. “And I think she owes you an explanation.”

“Or two.” I cleared my throat and let out a deep breath just when my phone dinged.

“Not to mention the obvious, but you’re forty-five years old. Does it really matter what she thinks?”

“Good point.” I reached for the photo of my dad and me that I’d placed on the kitchen counter the moment I’d gotten home.