Plans were already in motion. One question lingered: who was pulling the strings?
The next question . . . How soon would it be until the rest of them felt the tug?
Chapter Twenty-One
Borrowed Time
The morning came soft and deceptive. Catalina smelled of hibiscus and salt. It was just one more day in one more week, in one more month, in an endless year.
Cass leaned against the wall, sunglasses perched low, watching Harmony sip a sugary coffee. “You’re quiet this morning.”
Harmony smiled. “Mornings deserve silence.”
“Candy texted me last night,” Cass said. “She reminded me about the Airport in the Sky event tonight. She wants us to come. Free drinks, live music, and to top it off, skating on the runway. It sounds fun.”
“Could be fun,” Harmony said. “We can’t miss out.”
They drifted through a lazy day, letting the island’s sameness lull them—coffee, gossip, wandering streets. Most days on Catalina blurred together; that was why everyone clung so hard to anything new.
By evening, Mary picked them up, and they were off. The road wound steeply through the heart of the island. She looked beautiful in dark linen wrapped around her shoulders like armor. Her eyes were clearer tonight, though the wine on her breath told another story.
“I’ve always loved this road,” Mary said as they climbed higher. “It’s narrow. Easy to defend. You can see anyone coming before they see you.”
Cass laughed. “Comforting.”
Harmony nodded, letting her gaze sweep the cliffs and canyons, their edges glittering like old glass. “I bet there are many secrets hidden up here.”
“Some good and some terrible,” Mary said.
When they reached the plateau, the world unfolded in color—wild sage and golden grass, the ocean a band of cerulean far below. The Airport in the Sky was proudly displayed: a weathered hangar, a diner in desperate need of a paint job, and a quickly scribbled sign promisingBurgers, Beer & Skies for Days.
The air tasted purer up on top of the mountain. The well-used airfield shimmered in the heat, its cracked runway stretching out like a promise of safety to the tourists and a quiet lie to the locals who knew better.
A small crowd had already gathered, mostly locals. Music drifted from the patio where a band was preparing, guitar riffs echoing off the hangar. Laughter bounced through the open air. Candy was setting up with her guitar, hair braided with ribbons, her dress the color of sunlight on whiskey.
People were lacing up roller skates and wobbling as they relearned something most hadn’t done since childhood.
Torie was already there, standing near the edge of the patio, arms folded, sunglasses hiding her eyes. Tosh flanked her,clearly trying to keep the peace. Even from here, Harmony could feel the way Torie’s attention tracked Candy more than Tosh.
Zach and Joe leaned on the rail with beers in hand, watching as if they were waiting for the next detonation.
Cass nudged Harmony. “Do you think this is a good idea?”
“Nope, but that’s what makes it interesting.”
Cass laughed and laced up a pair of glittery blue skates and twirled toward Harmony. “Tell me you’ve done this before.”
Harmony laughed. “Not since high school. And back then, I was a lot dumber.”
“I guess tonight’s your redemption arc.” Cass gave her a playful shove. “Come on, writer girl. Let’s live a little before someone else dies.”
“Dark motivation,” Harmony said, “But effective.”
She let Cass tug her onto the tarmac.
The band started playingUptown Funk, getting a cheer from the crowd. It was a perfect song for skating. Torie, in cutoffs and red lipstick, glided past with a drink in hand, pretending not to look at Tosh. He stood by the edge of the runway, watching everyone like he was framing future alibis.
Zach, with a few others, set up lights along the strip, warm bulbs flickering against the darkening sky. The air hummed with music and motion. Couples linked arms and spun. Laughter briefly drowned out the week’s tension.
