“This morning.” He smiled, surprised. He hugged her small waist. “Your mom told me you weren’t coming until the weekend.”
“Well, I’m here now … earlier than anticipated,” Zoe offered him a wide grin.
“I haven’t talked to you in … a good while. No calls or text messages.”
“You’re talking to me now,” Zoe said, beaming.
Remi stepped in for a hug. “Hello, Bas. So good to see you.”
“Hello, Remi. So good to see you.” His voice softened, and a shadow passed over his face. “I was numb when I heard about Mr. G. Still trying to wrap my head around it. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it too. Thank you,” Remi said gently, brushing his arm. “Where are our manners? Bas, this is my best friend, Bianca, and …”
“And you must be Mila.” Bas extended his hand toward her first. “Much prettier than Zoe said.”
Mila managed a half smile as she took his hand. “Thank you, I guess.”
Zoe playfully punched him in the arm.
Bas laughed. “Zoe used to talk about you all the time. Good to finally meet you. And you as well, Bianca.”
“You are so cute. And so very sweet.” Bianca smiled, her mood clearly lifted.
Zoe tugged on Bas’s arm, excited. “Ooh, we should drive down to the beach later—have a bonfire. I have so much to tell you—”
A beautiful young woman approached, wearing cutoff denim shorts and a colorful halter top. Her eyes were the exact shade of the emerald ring Bianca wore on her finger—an inheritance from herabuelita.Her hair, wild and fire red, framed a pretty face of smooth brown skin that glowed in the sunlight, striking and unforgettable. Without hesitation, she slipped her hand into Bas’s and laced her fingers with his.
“Did someone say beach?”
Zoe froze. Her smile vanished. Her hand slipped from Bas’s arm. The color drained from her face quickly. Bas seemed frozen too—caught midthought, midmove—so the young woman took the lead. She stepped forward and extended a hand out toward Zoe.
“I’m Sage. Bas’s girlfriend.” Her voice was bright. A deep smile revealed flawless dimples. She didn’t just say it—she announced it, her tone laced with pride, as if claiming territory. The wordgirlfriendhung in the air like a slow echo, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Her fingers still reached forward, waiting.
Zoe’s eyebrows lifted at the declaration.
“Wow—girlfriend,” Zoe repeated, letting the word land hard. She didn’t take Sage’s hand. Instead, her eyes shifted to Bas. “Seems we do need to catch up.”
An awkward silence rippled between them, cut swiftly by Remi, who stepped in with practiced grace.
“Pleased to meet you, Sage,” she said, offering a warm but neutral smile and a handshake.
Bas cleared his throat, his grip tightening slightly around Sage’s hand. “Yeah … we’ve been seeing each other for a couple of months now. Kind of unexpected, but—” he offered Zoe a tentative smile “—it’s been good.”
Zoe nodded slowly, jaw tight, her gaze flicking from Bas to Sage and back again. “Well. That’s … great. I’m happy for ya,” she said sarcastically.
Bianca watched her carefully, her earlier warmth now replaced by wariness. She stepped closer to Zoe, a subtle show of support. Mila, ever observant, tilted her head slightly, studying Sage with open curiosity.
Sage, oblivious—or pretending to be—laughed lightly. “I’ve heard so much about your family. Bas talks constantly about spending the summers here, especially with you, Zoe.”
Zoe’s smile returned, but it was all teeth now, sharp and too bright.
“Funny,” she said. “He never mentioned you at all. Even when we talked during Christmas break.” Her eyes veered to Sage.
Bas winced. “Zoe—”
“It’s fine,” she said quickly, waving it off like it didn’t sting. She turned to the group, already stepping backward. “Actually, I think I’m going to grab an iced coffee.”
“Zoe,” Remi said gently.