“I guess.” Amy sighed. “Either way, I just want this behind me.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” They visited the precinct that afternoon, and Amy pressed charges against Jake. She would have to wait for a court date to obtain a restraining order, but she wasn’t in a hurry with him locked up.
“How about we go shopping?” Nikki asked when they left. “We haven’t done anything girly since you’ve been here.”
“I can definitely do that,” Amy replied excitedly. “You’re buying, right?”
Nikki laughed. “Yes, I’m buying. What are aunts for?”
They drove to the coast, where kiosks littered the beachfront. Vendors sold potted items, collectibles, keepsakes, T-shirts, jewelry, and household crafts. Nikki and Amy weaved their way through the throng of people searching for interesting pieces for their homes or persons.
They stopped by a kiosk that had pottery pieces, and Nikki picked up a beautifully painted jar that would make a nice attraction over the fireplace. “I love this,” she told Amy, who was busy looking at charm bracelets behind her.
“I like these,” she beamed, then noticed the jar in Nikki’s hand. “That looks nice too.”
“So believable,” Nikki teased.
“No, I really mean it.” Amy giggled. “Where’s the other one?”
Nikki gasped. “You’re right. Two would look better. Hmm,” she mused. “Maybe I’ll just find a place where one works.”
They continued checking out the stalls, picking up pieces as they went, until they wound up at The Oar, a pub and finger-food joint.
“I’m starving,” Amy said as she slid into the booth seat.
The air was rich with the charred smell of meat on a spit or roasted over an open fire. They salivated as they waited for the baby back ribs that they ordered, and in minutes, their hands and faces were sticky messes of grease and sauce.
“Does everything taste good on this island?” Amy asked.
“You’ve never been here?” Nikki asked in shock.
“Yeah, like on a day trip, and we’d have our own food and stuff, but now that I’m tasting the local food, I’m blown away.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Nikki smiled as she wiped the napkin across her mouth. “Maybe you’ll consider moving here for good.”
“I thought I was already here,” Amy said and winked. “How about you? I know you lived in Arlington. Is Camano now your home for good?”
Nikki smiled as she considered it. Back in Arlington, she had her job, but that was about it. And she had a job she could take anywhere. Camano represented a family she had always craved for but never had the opportunity to have and to reunite with a sister who had been estranged for so long. It was a pleasant prospect in her mind’s eye, and she definitely would consider moving.
“It could be.” She laughed.
“It better be. I could love it here,” Amy observed. “Good food, the ocean, great friends. I’ve only just met Sarah, but I can already tell we’re going to be great friends. She invited me over for the weekend. She said we could do some outdoor stuff—whatever is happening this weekend.”
“That’s great,” Nikki said. “You’re already planting your roots. When we were kids, our parents used to rent a summer home here every year.”
“No kidding,” Amy exclaimed.
“Yep,” Nikki told her. “We practically grew up here. I just moved away because I was so hurt and bitter.”
“Maybe it’s time that you moved back. Speaking of which, what’s going on between you and Paul?”
It was Nikki’s turn to blush. “What do you mean? Nothing’s going on.”
“Exactly,” Amy said. “And why is that? You two had a thing back in the day. He’s single. You’re single. He’s attractive. You know, for a guy his age.”
Nikki laughed. “A guy his age.”
“You know what I mean.” Amy giggled. “We could all be one big happy family. And I think he’s still into you.”
