Page 60 of Taming Waves

“That’s me,” Leia squeals.

“I see that. You look adorable, kiddo,” she says, tapping the tip of Leia’s nose.

“Uncle Lennon is gonna win me a unicorn,” she tells her.

“Hey, what about Daddy?” Sebastian calls over his shoulder as he lays another twenty on the table.

“He’s trying, but he’s not very good,” Leia whispers to Audrey, and we all burst into laughter.

“Come on. Let the men lose their money and come eat,” Avie says, taking Leia’s hand and leading her to a picnic table.

Amiya follows, but Audrey stands and looks at me.

“You made it,” I say.

“I made it,” she repeats. We stand there, staring at each other for a few beats before she speaks. “I was promised there would be funnel cake. And someone did eat half my lunch, so …”

I chuckle. “Let’s get you a funnel cake,” I say.

We are standing outside the food truck’s window, waiting for her cake, when I hear my name being called. Turning, I see Anson approaching with two girls.

“Hi, Audrey. I didn’t know you were here,” Anson says as one of the girls skips over, throws her arms around my neck, and kisses my cheek.

“Hey, Parker.”

“Chelcie,” I say, unraveling from her hold and stepping back. “I didn’t know you were in town.”

“We weren’t supposed to be, but Amy got a wild hair last night and talked me into a quick trip,” Chelcie says.

“I ran into them in the beer line, and they insisted they join me in finding you,” Anson says as he hands me one of the cans he’s holding, his tone apologetic.

“Yep. We were hoping to run into you guys, and there he was,” Chelcie says as she beams up at me.

I look over my shoulder, and Audrey quirks an eyebrow.

“Um, girls, this is my … this is Audrey. Audrey, this is Amy and Chelcie. Amy’s parents own the beach house beside our condo.”

Chelcie’s gaze flits to Audrey. “Oh, hi. Nice to meet you,” she says as if she didn’t notice Audrey until now.

“You too.”

“Parker,” the man at the window calls out.

I reach over and clasp Audrey’s hand, then turn to Chelcie. “Our funnel cake is ready. It was good to see you again.”

Chelcie glances down at our entwined fingers and backs up. “Good to see you again too.”

Anson tosses his arm around Amy’s neck. “Why don’t I buy you girls a drink?”

Audrey tugs her hand loose from me as he leads them away.

She stompsto the window, claims the confection, and moves to the counter to drown it in powdered sugar. Then, I follow as she makes her way into the crowd.

“Yes, Chelcie is someone I used to spend time with occasionally, but not recently,” I say into her ear.

“I didn’t ask,” she quips.

“I know, but I just wanted to make that clear. I had no idea they were here.”

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