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The notebook's crisp pages fluttered under my fingers as I scrawled the last few thoughts, a lump forming in my throat. Olivia had filled every corner of my heart with pride over these six years since we had last been with this group of people, her old friends. She'd blossomed from a shy teenager into a woman who faced her college classes and life with unwavering determination. She had come out as gay to everyone in her family and her friends and had dated a girl for some time, but it was over now.

The boat sliced through the water, a sleek predator heading for its lair. The island materialized from a blur on the horizon to an expanse of vivid greenery and ivory sands that stretched out like welcoming arms. I leaned over the railing, ocean spray kissing my cheeks as if beckoning me into the embrace of Paradise Key Private Resort.

"Almost there," I murmured, watching palm trees sway in a rhythm only nature could choreograph. The island's pristine beaches glistened under the sun, a canvas of untouched beauty I'd soon tread upon. My heart swelled, anticipation curling in my stomach like the gentle waves lapping at the boat's hull.

"Welcome to The Island," the captain announced as we approached the dock; his voice, a smooth baritone, seemed part of the breeze itself.

I stood, the boat steadying beneath me as if sharing my eagerness. Gathering my bag—a soft leather tote I'd chosen for both practicality and style—I slung it over my shoulder, feeling the weight of its contents: sunscreen, a novel I'd been meaning to finish, and the dresses. Oh, those dresses. A smile tugged at my lips, imagining the coming evenings, cosmos in hand, laughter mingling with the whisper of silk and chiffon against sun-kissed skin.

Stepping onto the pier, my sandals clicked against the weathered wood, each step a declaration of arrival. The opulence of the resort was almost jarring compared to my usual surroundings of sterile offices and crime scenes. Here, luxury awaited—no crime scene tape in sight.

"Time to swap FBI badges for bikinis," I joked to myself, my voice a low murmur drowned out by the rhythmic thud of my heart. The thought of lounging by the pool, wine glass perched nearby, felt like a fantasy about to unfold in vivid color. I couldn’t wait to see my old friends. It was going to be a blast.

I paused, allowing myself a moment to scan the island. Every detail called out to be savored—the way the fronds cast dancing shadows on the ground, the scent of salt and blooming flowers weaving through the air, the infinity pool's crystal-clear waters mirroring the sky.

"Mrs. Thomas?" A gentle voice lilted from behind, belonging to one of the resort staff. He was a tall, sun-kissed young man with a friendly smile and eyes the color of the turquoise sea. He wore a crisp white shirt and khaki shorts, embodying the effortless charm of the island.

"Please, call me Eva," I corrected, offering him a nod of gratitude as he took my bag with practiced grace.

"Of course, Eva. Welcome to Paradise Key." His words were accompanied by the soft rustling of palm leaves swaying in the warm breeze. The air was fragrant with the scent of hibiscus and salt, and the gentle lapping of waves against the pristine sandy shore provided a soothing background melody. Lush greenery surrounded us, the vibrant colors of tropical flowers punctuating the landscape, making it feel like a slice of paradise nestled in the heart of the ocean.

"Thank you," I said, eyes still roaming the landscape. My mind wandered to lavish dinners under the stars, old friends, and the promise of memories yet to be made.

"Right this way," he gestured toward the main house, his uniform crisp against the casual backdrop.

"Lead on," I replied, stepping off the pier with a renewed sense of purpose. The weekend was about to begin, and I was ready for whatever it might bring.

* * *

My stride quickened as the main house came into view, each step a beat in the rhythm of anticipation.

"Can't wait to see how everyone's changed," I murmured to myself, my flip-flops scuffing against the stone pathway. “And to catch up on what everyone’s been up to.”

Ahead, the grandeur of the main house loomed, a testament to the kind of extravagance that punctuated the lives of my old friends. And yet, despite the luxury, there was an ease to the island—a whisper of serenity that even the opulence couldn't overshadow.

"Almost there," I breathed out, the muscles in my shoulders relaxing unconsciously. Olivia's latest text flashed in my mind—her excitement, her growth. Pride swelled within me, offering strength that grounded my nerves.

I halted just shy of the main entrance, caught by the sun's descent casting a golden hue over the lush landscape. I closed my eyes, the warmth on my skin a gentle reminder of life's fleeting beauty.

"Here's to new beginnings… and cherished pasts," I whispered, the weight of my investigative work, motherhood, and ever-evolving self momentarily lifted by the promise of a tranquil interlude. A deep breath filled my lungs, the perfumed air mingling with the resolve to soak in every second of serenity.

"Ready or not," I said to no one.

With a final, grounding breath, I stepped forward, ready to weave the weekend's tapestry of stories and secrets.

The laughter and rhythmic beat of music spilled out from the main house's open windows, wrapping around me like a warm embrace as I approached.

I paused, a smile breaking across my face; these were the women who had been part of my life for years, their laughter the same as it had echoed back in Washington.

"Finally!" A voice cut through the symphony of merriment, and the silhouette framed by the doorway materialized into Kara's welcoming figure.

"Kara!" I replied, matching her enthusiasm as I closed the distance between us.

"Look at you, Eva Rae! Florida sun suits you," she beamed, pulling me into an embrace that felt like returning home after a long journey.

"Thanks, I've missed you guys." The words were barely above a whisper, yet they carried the weight of years.

"Missed you more," she quipped, releasing me to hold me at arm's length, her gaze scanning my features. "About time we got together again."

"Yeah, it’s been way too long."

"Mom squad, assemble!" Kara called over her shoulder, and soon, I was enveloped by the other mothers. Each hug reignited a flame of camaraderie that had never truly dimmed. Someone handed me a glass of champagne.

"Look at her, all FBI badass," said Jen, squeezing my hand and drawing me into the warmth of the room filled with familiar faces.

"Let’s toast to arrivals, new chapters, and old friends," proposed Amy, raising her glass with a flourish that drew us all into a collective lean.

"Old friends," we echoed in unison, the clink of our glasses sealing the sentiment.

"Alright, enough sappiness—let's get this party started!" Kara declared, the twinkle in her eye promising mischief and laughter in equal measure.

"Lead the way," I grinned, following the group deeper into the heart of the main house and into the weekend that lay ahead, ripe with potential. There were a lot of other guests already there, people who knew the birthday boy, Mark, and his mother, faces I had never seen before, and I realized this was a huge event, but how could I be surprised, knowing Victoria, Mark’s mother? This was so like her—always going over the top and making it extravagant. Nothing was too big or too much.

I stayed with the women I knew, my old gang. The laughter crescendoed around me. I stood for a moment, my gaze dancing over each animated face—lines of time etched with joy, eyes alight with stories waiting to spill. The air buzzed with an energy that seemed to hum through my veins, reigniting sparks of a life paused but never forgotten.

"Can you believe this place?" Jen's voice cut through the din, her arm sweeping across the scene like a show host unveiling a grand prize. "It's like we've stepped into a Bond movie, minus the espionage… or maybe not?" Her eyebrow arched playfully.

"Speak for yourself," I quipped back. My eyes narrowed mockingly as I scanned the room, playing along. "I'm always on the clock."

"Ah, that's our Eva Rae," Kara chimed in from the other side, her laughter a bright chime. "Always the agent, even when she's off duty."

"Old habits die hard," I admitted with a shrug, feeling the soft fabric of the couch as I sank into it, the cushion embracing me like an old friend. As I settled in, I watched our hostess, Victoria, make her grand entrance. She was draped in a shimmering designer gown that sparkled with every step and was a vision of opulence. Her diamond-studded heels clicked rhythmically on the marble floor, announcing her approach. Her hair was styled in perfect waves, and her jewelry caught the light, casting tiny rainbows around the room.

"Look at us," Victoria sighed, her voice laden with nostalgia, as she plopped beside me with a light kiss hello on the cheek. "Mothers, professionals, survivors of teenage drama?—"

Her presence was as luxurious as her surroundings, embodying wealth and extravagance.

"Miracle workers," Michelle interjected, winking from her armchair fortress. "Don't sell us short."

"Indeed." I nodded, warmth spreading through my chest. Our collective journey had been a fabric interlaced with strands of all colors, some dark, others vibrant. Yet here we were, together again, the pattern of our friendship resilient against the years.

"Remember when we thought planning playdates was complicated?" Amy mused, a glass of wine in hand, swirling the ruby liquid like it held our past.

"Ha! Child's play compared to navigating college applications and first heartbreaks," I said, meeting her eyes. There was an unspoken understanding there, a shared battle won.

"Speaking of heartbreaks, how's Matt doing?" Jen's question pierced the light mood, her concern genuine. “We all heard what happened.”

"Thriving," I replied earnestly, my thoughts flickering to his smile, the way his determination had conquered adversity. "He's found his calling in cybercrime. And he's got a new leg that’s more tech-savvy than my entire office."

"Cheers to that!" they exclaimed in a haphazard chorus, glasses aloft.

"Cheers indeed," I echoed, my voice steady but my heart full. In this room, with these women who had seen me at my best and worst, I felt the world's weight lift slightly from my shoulders.

"Here's to a weekend free from worries," Victoria announced, her tone commanding the room's attention. "To laughter, luxury, and a little bit of drinking."

"Or a lot," Kara quipped, earning a round of knowing chuckles.

"Mostly, to us," I added, standing to join the toast. "To the memories we've made and the ones still ahead."

"Hear, hear!" They raised their glasses higher, and at that moment, the outside world fell away. The mysteries and thrillers of life would wait. This weekend was about connection, gratitude, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of being together.

"Let the celebrations commence," I declared, the finality of my words setting the stage for the weekend that beckoned—a pristine page ready to be written upon with laughter, sunsets, and the incredible ink of enduring friendship.