Page 44 of The House on Firefly Beach
“Who’s that?” Malory said, her tone playfully suggestive.
“His name is Logan Hayes. I met him at Hallie’s wedding.”
“He looks very happy to see you.”
“He’s really nice.”
“You should go say hello… I would.”
She noticed that Ariel Barnes was a few people behind him. Ariel worked at the candy shop in town and she’d made friends with Robby, offering him his favorite peppermint spinner whenever he came in—a candy that would actually spin on its stick. She’d talk to Ariel first. That would be a great way to break the ice.
“Okay. Be right back. And while I’m up there, I’ll mention that you’re single…” Sydney teased.
Malory’s eyes got as big as saucers, and then she looked back at Logan, clearly considering, making Sydney laugh. “I wouldn’t hold it against you if you did.”
Sydney stood up and went over to Ariel. “Hi,” she said, coming up behind her friend.
“Oh!” Ariel said, her two dark French braids swinging madly as she offered Sydney a warm hug. “It’s so nice to see you!”
“Same. Robby is dying to get in for your peppermint spinner.”
Ariel gave a warm smile, her freckled cheekbones pushing her black-rimmed glasses up. “Any time. You know, I’ve made a larger one now. And I found a way to get a rainbow-colored flash light on the end of the stick!”
“That’s amazing! He’ll love it.”
“Bring him in soon. I need someone to taste-test my new chocolate line.”
“I’d be happy to do that for you myself,” Sydney said with a laugh.
The line moved, causing them all to step forward.
“Well, it was nice to see you,” Sydney said.
“You too!”
She walked forward in line as if she were headed back to her table and when Logan made eye-contact, she stepped back over to talk to him. “Hey,” she said, joining him in the line.
“Hey there.” He offered her a warm smile. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“Same. Would you like to join us?” she asked, nearly sure by Malory’s response to him that she wouldn’t object.
“I wish I could. I was running errands and I’m grabbing a coffee for my mom on the way back to the cottage. But I demand a rain check.”
Sydney grinned. “Absolutely. Well, it was great to run into you.”
“I’ll text you once I get home and we can set up a time.” He looked around at the crowds. “Maybe notthistime of day.”
“Definitely not.” Sydney said her goodbyes and then headed back to Malory, glad to have seen Logan again.
“Okay, tell me the date and time,” Malory said once she’d returned to the table.
“Date and time?”
“Of my date with Logan.”
They both fell into their usual laugher. Sydney was so happy to be back with her friend again. If everything could be as easy as rekindling their friendship.
“Robby! Did you get your football?” Sydney called upstairs as she scrolled through the email on her phone that had all the details for tonight. The kids were all meeting at the park where they’d receive their coaches and team assignments.
