Page 79 of Surfer's Paradise

“Alright,” she said. “Friday.”

Greg stood with her, reaching out to shake her hand again.

His grip was firm, steady, assured.

And Rosie had never felt more seen in her life.

“Thank you,” she said, voice earnest, from the bottom of her heart.

Greg didn’t brush it off. Didn’t downplay it.

He just nodded.

“You don’t need to thank me yet,” he said, “but I’ll take it anyway.”

Rosie smiled, then turned and walked out, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

When she stepped out of the building, the hot July air hit her instantly, but she didn’t care.

Her head was high, her steps light, like she was walking on air.

For the first time in forever, she felt like she had a path forward.

A plan.

Something bigger than herself.

She walked to the nearest public transit stop, waiting for the next bus down to Coronado.

The sun was still beating down on the pavement, heatwaves rippling off the road, but Rosie barely noticed.

She stood at the bus stop, picking at the label on her water bottle, lost in her own thoughts, when her phone buzzed in her hand.

Amy.

Rosie exhaled, swiping to answer.

“Hey,” she said, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

“Tell me everything.” Amy’s voice was warm, demanding, the voice of a woman who got things done.

Rosie let out a breathy laugh. “About what?”

“Your meeting, genius,” Amy said. “Greg Taylor. Billionaire. Art collector. Very interested in our girl.”

Rosie bit her lip, a slow warmth spreading through her chest.

“It went well,” she admitted. “He wants to figure out a way to get me involved in his charity. Maybe commission me. Maybe bring me in to teach. He said we’ll talk details over dinner Friday.”

Amy whistled low.

“Dinner,” she mused. “That’s a good sign.”

“It’s a business dinner,” Rosie clarified quickly, shaking her head.

Amy snorted. “Rosalie, I could talk about your career all damn day. But also—this is me buttering you up because I want to convince you to come out for a drink tonight. One drink. No excuses.”

Rosie groaned, tipping her head back toward the sky.

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