“I will,” she said.
He watched as she got into her Chevy Cruze and pulled away. She honked the car on her way out, and Paul waved, then walked back toward the restaurant.
Her words didn’t leave his mind as quickly as she had. He hadn’t seen Nikki in years, but there was still a strong sense of familiarity with her. Sarah was right. What were the odds that she’d shown up in his life again, and at the most convenient time, when they were both single? Serendipity?
Paul didn’t want to read too much into fate and circumstances, but as he walked back into the restaurant, he couldn’t help feeling that there may be something to what Sarah had said after all.
And a smile spread across his face. It would not be the worst thing that could happen to him.
ChapterSix
“This town is like a dream,” Ava said as she and Nikki returned from their morning run. “Why don’t I live here?”
Nikki laughed. “I practically lived here all my summers growing up.”
“Lucky you,” Ava told her.
“It’s not that different from Arlington if what you love are the beaches,” Nikki told her. “There’s plenty of that there.”
They got back to the room and ordered breakfast because neither wanted to go out.
“Hey, remember the event with the Humane Society I told you about?” Nikki asked as she tilted her head sideways to dry her hair with the towel.
“Yeah,” Ava replied. “It’s that community outreach thing to raise money for the shelter.”
“Right—Furs are Friends.”Nikki smiled. “I can understand in a sense why Trish and I never got along. We are so different.”
“I can see that because no way would you have joined a society like that,” Ava said.
“I know, right? Yet here I am, and it’s not even so bad,” Nikki admitted. “I’ve always loved animals from a distance, but working so closely with them, I can see the appeal.”
“Is it all about animals?” Ava wanted to know.
“No,” Nikki said, sitting next to Ava. “It’s more about a better quality of life for everyone, including animals. Today’s event is all about the animals, though, so they have a competition lined up for the best-dressed dog, the best show dog, the purest breed, and stuff like that.
“That sounds like fun.” Ava smiled. “Wish I had a dog to enter.”
“There will be other activities. You can go into the dunk tank.” Nikki grinned.
“Uh, me? At my age?” Ava scoffed. “Although I don’t look so bad in a bikini. Maybe one of the…help…might take a fancy to me,” she said and patted her hair flirtatiously.
Nikki erupted into laughter. “Some things never change, do they?”
“I’m guessing it’s going to be by the beach? I hope so,” Ava said.
“Yes, by Camano Island State Park. I remember going there as a child,” Nikki said nostalgically.
“I can see how much you love this place.” Ava smiled seconds before there was a knock on the door. “I wonder who that is.”
Nikki had an idea. There weren’t many people who knew her. She was pleasantly surprised when she saw Paul. “Hi,” she said. “Come on in.”
“Oh, who do we have here?” Ava said as she got up and fluffed her hair.
Paul laughed. “Paul,” he said and extended his arm.
Ava looked over at Nikki quickly. “ThePaul?”
Paul narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”
