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They ordered a bucket of Leatherbacks and toasted the end of another day.
“So, you’re all here to cheer me up?” Sara asked, scooting over to make room for Cindy.
“Absolutely,” April said. “Work relationships are hard. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry too.”
“But you guys are still friendly?” Cindy asked, giving Sara a sympathetic hug. “Maybe you can work it out.”
Sara sighed. “I don’t know. I liked being with Jack, but we want different things in life.”
Hope squeezed her hand. “You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see each other. If the flame is still there, you’ll know.”
“We see each other just about every day, so I’ll get regular reminders of how he dumped me. And living right above him is a bit awkward.” Sara shook her head rapidly. “Enough! Time to move on. Let’s drink up, girls!”
A cheer went around the table as they clinked bottles and took a long drink. Then the conversation moved to other subjects, such as Cindy’s pending college graduation and a recent dive rescue April had managed.
Selena checked her watch. “I better head out. I’m keepin’ an eye on my uncle’s place. He rents it and is between tenants right now.”
“Where is it?” Cindy asked.
“Just up the highway a bit. It’s a super cute beach cottage. You guys want to come with me?”
“Hell yes,” April said. “You had me at beach cottage.”
“I’d like to see it too,” Cindy said. “My lease is up soon, and I’m tryin’ to decide whether to stay in my house.”
They soon formed a small caravan with Selena in the lead. After turning north onto the highway, she took a left turn a short distance later. The track was gravel and rutted, making the road to Marimba seem like a paved highway. They bounced through the jungle until the path dead-ended in a clearing before a small one-story house. Its siding was the noncolor of weathered gray wood, complemented by a faded green-shingle roof. Selena led the way up to a covered landing and unlocked the front door.
“It’s so quiet here.” Cindy craned her neck, looking around. “It’s cute, but I wonder if I’d get freaked out livin’ all the way out here alone.”
Selena smirked as they entered the open great room. “Don’t worry about that—you haven’t asked the price yet. With what this place rents for, you’d probably need a roommate.” April gave a low whistle when Selena divulged the monthly rent.
The cottage was showing its age, but the furniture was modern, if somewhat generic. A tan couch and loveseat anchored the living room, and colorful plants were placed all around. Selena picked up a watering can and leaned over a large potted palm. “All the furnishings are staged. Uncle says it helps to rent the place.”
Hope cast a professional eye around and headed toward one side. Sara followed to find two bedrooms and two baths. They returned, and Hope glanced at the unmatched appliances in the cozy kitchen. The whole cottage was rustic and warm. It practically screamed shabby chic. “Why so expensive?” she asked. “Looks like it needs some serious updating.”
Sara loved it. “Bite your tongue. Not everything has to be state-of-the-art, you know.”
Selena moved to the next plant, pointing with her chin to the back door. “The price is due to the location, not the décor.”
Sara’s attention was drawn to a glass-paneled door between the kitchen cabinets. She crossed and exited onto a covered patio, where the sound of ocean waves immediately surrounded her. In front, porch stairs descended to a tiny white sand beach cradled within a serene cove. There wasn’t another house in sight. “Oh, wow. Now I get the price.”
“Told you it was cool,” Selena said from behind her.
Hope stood by Sara’s side. “Maybe you can room with Cindy. That would solve the awkward living situation.”
Sara shot Cindy a wry grin. “No offense, Cin, but no way. I haven’t had a roommate since I was twenty-five, and I’m not about to start now. Serenity suits me just fine, even with a certain neighbor.”
Cindy gazed longingly over the beach as the sun peeked from behind the clouds. “I love it, but this is too rich for my blood. I’ll probably just renew my lease.”
The other women went back inside as Hope leaned close to Sara and murmured, “You haven’t touched your money. You could afford this if you wanted.”
“That’s just it. I don’t want to. I want to invest that money in something. I just don’t know what yet.”
“I know the feeling. Alex and I have been mulling it over for months now. We just got the plans to build six new bungalows behind the current ones, so that’s exciting. I’d like to build a bigger spa, but I can’t find the right location on the property. If I do, you’ll be the first to know.”
Sara smiled and wrapped an arm around her, giving her a hug. “Thanks. I know Hibiscus could be so much more, but I’m not sure how to make that happen, either.”
