Page 78 of See You Next Month

After dinner they went back to the pool. Music filtered from the bar and if they weren’t dancing they were swimming. Everyone was having a good time and the kids seemed to hit it off.

“Do you think we can slip away to the beach?” Isabella asked quietly from behind Kelsey.

Shivers went through Kelsey just as they had the night Isabella kissed her. “Let’s go,” she said, getting up.

They started to walk away.

“Hey, Mom,” Emma called to her. “Where are you going?”

“Bella and I are going for a walk on the beach,” Kelsey explained.

“Can I come with you?” Emma asked.

“Oh, I want to go.” Grace jumped up from her chair.

Kelsey looked at Isabella and sighed. “Sure, come on.”

Isabella chuckled, put her arm through Kelsey’s, and led them to the beach.

“This is so nice,” Emma said.

“Listen to those waves,” Grace commented.

Kelsey chuckled. “Bella and I take a walk on the beach every night before we go to bed.”

“Yeah, it’s our way to end the day,” Isabella said. “And dancing,” she muttered so only Kelsey could hear.

Kelsey smiled and noticed Emma glancing her way. “What is it, Em?”

“You two have become close friends,” she said.

“We have,” Isabella replied. “I don’t know what I’d do without your mom.”

“But what about when you’re home?” Grace asked. “Are you just friends when you’re here?”

“No,” Kelsey said. “Don’t you still have friends in your hometown, Grace?”

“Yeah, but they’re not close like you two are.”

“We text and call each other when we’re home,” Isabella said. “This is also part of our job. We have to plan and get ready for these trips.”

“I can’t wait to hit the beach tomorrow!” Emma exclaimed.

“Pace yourself, Em,” Isabella warned her. “We have several days ahead of us.”

“Gotcha, Isabella. Thanks,” Emma said.

Isabella chuckled as they made their way back to their rooms.

Kelsey was about to tell Isabella she would come to her room once the girls were settled when Emma turned to her.

“Mom, can I stay with you tonight? I know Dana and Lily are going to be up for hours talking and I’m tired. I’m taking Isabella’s advice,” Emma said.

“Sure, honey,” Kelsey replied and stole a glance at Isabella. She could already tell finding time to be alone was going to be a challenge.

Isabella gave her a sweet smile and pulled her away from the others. “I know we can’t dance tonight, but we will at Peaches. Okay?”

Kelsey sighed. “Okay. I was hoping to talk after they were in their room.”

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