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CALEB

“I always seem to have incredible experiences when you’re around,” Caleb leaned into Emery as they carried their skates to the benches.

“What do you mean always ?” Emery tugged on one of her skates. “If we’re going to keep skating, I need my own skates.”

“Maybe always is a bit of a stretch, but I’m about to skate with a royal prince and princess, so let me be a bit hyperbolic.”

After a smorgasbord of southern food at Alderman’s, the royals toured the East End with Simon and Chief Kelly and visited the mural while the rest of them headed to the Starlight. The royal protection detail wanted to keep a low profile.

“Don’t act like this is your first brush with royalty.” She tugged on the laces. “Remember I was queen of Operation Revenge.”

She wasn’t prepared for the way he snatched her to him, his skates clattering off the bench to the floor, his warm lips landing on hers without reservation. Emery’s fingers slid away from her laces to cup her hands over his shoulders and hang on.

She pressed her forehead to his chest when the kiss slowly faded. “I think you love me.”

“I know I do.” He reached for a skate, then looked over at her. “Will you ever say it back?”

“ Can’t my kisses be enough for now?” Her cheeks pinked as she returned to tying on her brownies.

The lights flickered to the beat of “Flashlight,” a ’70s skating rink classic.

Ivan skated at his own pace with Adele. They were pretty good.

But then again, they’d grown up at the Starlight.

Bobby and Wren shuffled to the beat with ease, until Bobby kicked Wren’s skate and sent her tumbling.

From the lobby, more of the special guests arrived.

Emery tugged on her second skate. “It’s not that I don’t want to say it, Caleb.”

He turned to her. “Then what?”

She worked the laces in silence. “I just don’t want to be afraid when I tell you. It seems insincere.”

“I can live with that, Quinn.”

By the time the prince and princess arrived, Caleb and Emery were on the floor, going around to the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” which seemed fitting. A protection officer rolled smoothly behind the prince and princess, while another watched from the benches, sans skates.

The hum of “keep loving those good vibrations” hovered in the rink when Bobby Brockton skated next to Caleb. “Got a sec to talk?” He tipped his head toward the lobby. “Outside?”

“Business or pleasure?”

“Both.”

Switching back to his shoes, Caleb shrugged at Emery as they headed outside.

“Think we’ll ever find out who dumped the trash?” Bobby said, starting down the Beachwalk.

“Chief Kelly thinks so.”

“I’m sorry it happened.” Bobby said. “Honestly.”

“So why are we out here?”

“Something Wren said the other night.” Bobby slowed his p ace as they passed the first Victorian lamp.

“She said you and I are the ones to change the culture of our town. All this East versus West stuff, the division we all feel has to end. We didn’t start the rivalry, but our little pranks escalated it.

Your speech to the Chamber of Commerce was dead-on.

You ruffled some feathers, and maybe that’s why the brunch got trashed, I don’t know.

But I’m going to start ruffling feathers with you.

Let’s challenge the things that divide Sea Blue Beach. ”

“What about Mac Diamond and Alfred Gallagher?”

“Wren had a few things to say about them too.” Bobby laughed to himself. “She said I was blinded by their success and to wake up and smell the coffee.”

“I still haven’t replied to Mac’s job offer.”

“Are you going to take it? It’d be a great opportunity, but he’d own you, Caleb. I guess you know that already.”

“I’m happy to work on the Org. Homestead. I have a few other clients. Simon wants to turn Doyle’s into a brewery. That’ll keep me busy.”

“Wren wants to buy and refurbish the Sunset Bowling Parlor on our side of town. You interested in the job?”

Caleb grinned. “You and me working together?”

“Might just be the thing to start healing the divide.”

Caleb offered his hand. “Friends?”

“Friends.” Bobby shake was solid. “Now, when you going to marry Emery?”

“Ah, okay, I see, I see.” Caleb laughed. “The real reason Wren sent you to talk to me.”

“Come on, man, you’ve loved her since you first met her.”

“Beg pardon, Bobby, but how do you know?”

“Wren dated Shift one semester. They went to prom. Don’t tell me you don’t remember. She was too beautiful for him.”

“And you.”

B obby’s laugh seemed to echo over the water. “By the way, I know it was Emery who ran into me that night you trashed our field. Kneed me where the sun don’t shine. Took me out of the action.”

“You think so?” Caleb grinned and turned back for the Starlight. “You’re going to have to take that up with her.”