Page 76 of Sunsets at the Beach House

“You can spend time with Kat,” Trina added.

He smiled. “That’s one really good thing. Although I know she starts her new job soon.”

“You’ll be able to come to my grandmother’s wedding with Kat, too.”

Miles nodded. “You’ve got to come to that. I already switched shifts with Chad so I can be there.”

Trina was thrilled about that.

Alex looked at her. “Your grandmother’s getting married?”

“Yep,” Trina said. “To the father of the guy who lives next door to us.”

Alex blinked like he was trying to process what she was telling him. “You mean Danny’s dad?”

“You know Danny?”

“Sure,” Alex said. “He and I removed Kat’s ex, Ray, from the property a few nights back. He’s a cool dude. Didn’t meet his dad.”

“Well, Miguel is a very nice man, too. He and my Mimi just hit it off and decided there was no reason to wait, so they’re getting married this weekend.”

“Do I have to dress up?” He tipped his head toward his shoulder. “That’s not the easiest thing to do.”

Trina smiled and shook her head. “My mom and I will be dressed up a little, but you can wear whatever you want. It’s a beach wedding, so pretty casual.”

“Cool.” He grinned. “I haven’t been to a wedding since Tully got married.” He laughed. “Remember that, Miles?”

“How could I forget?” Miles leaned toward Trina. “Tully got married at the firehouse. He was a member of the crew who’s since retired, but that was a fun, crazy day.”

“I bet.” Trina couldn’t imagine getting married at the firehouse, but she supposed any place could be the right place if it meant enough to you.

Their food arrived. Once the server put all the plates on the table, she went to get the pot of coffee and refilled Trina’s and Miles’s cups. “Anything else you guys need?”

They all shook their heads.

Alex immediately went for the little pitcher of syrup, drizzling it all over his pancakes.

“Hey,” Trina said. “You want me to cut those up for you?”

Alex’s mouth bunched to one side. “No one’s had to cut up my food for a long time, but yeah, that would help. Thanks.”

She smiled and grabbed the edge of his plate to pull it closer, then used her own clean knife and fork to slice the pancakes into bite-sized pieces. “How are you going to manage at home? Do you need groceries? Miles and I can run to the store for you.”

“Maybe.” Alex shook his head. “This is turning into more work for you guys than I had anticipated.”

“It’s no big deal,” Miles said. “You’d do it for me, wouldn’t you?”

Alex smiled. “Yeah.”

Trina slid his plate back over. “There you go. And listen, whatever you need, we’ll take care of it. That’s why we’re here.”

Alex picked up his fork and speared a big bite of pancakes. Golden brown syrup dripped off them as he lifted it. “I really appreciate it.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Trina said. And she meant it. She enjoyed helping people in whatever way she could. Then her thoughts drifted to her mom and the uncomfortable task she was about to do.

Trina could have handled it, but Roxie said she felt like she should do it herself. Trina hoped she was right and didn’t end up more upset than she already was.

Roxie was so happy to have her own car in Diamond Beach. She was a lot less happy to be visiting Paulina, but she’d purposely made it her first stop of the day. That way she could use the excuse of her other errands as a reason to leave quickly.

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