Lea and Tino were arguing over who oversalted the kalbi ribs. Brie, Chelsea, and Kelsey sat cross-legged on a blanket, ripping open a bag of li hing mui gummies like they were performing a sacred ritual. Cousin Howie was shirtless (of course), stirring a cooler full of ice and beer with a wooden paddle like he was mixing a potion. The aunties had claimed a long folding table and immediately turned it into a kingdom of macaroni salad, Spam musubi, and enough poke to feed a battalion.
It was warm and messy and loud—the exact combination that had raised Rowan, shaped her, and saved her. The exact combination she hadn’t realized she missed until she stepped into it again. She tapped the tat over her heart and finally sensed her father’s presence. Leave it to Jack Delaney to remain quiet until she figured crap out on her own.
“Look at you,” Lea said, linking their arms the moment Rowan set the shrimp down. “You got your glow back. Don’t lie.”
Rowan rolled her eyes, but her mouth betrayed her with a tiny smile. “It’s sunscreen.”
“It’s sex,” Lea whispered with glee.
Rowan elbowed her. “Stop. We’re in public.”
“So? Half these people saw you wipe out on a ten-foot swell in junior circuit and almost lose your bikini bottoms. You think they’re scandalized you’re finally getting laid?”
“Lea!”
Her friend cackled, tossing a mango slice in her mouth before sobering. “Okay, fine. But seriously—you good?”
Rowan looked at Kelsey, who’d raced back into the water with the other girls. They paddled out together, and she noted the girl’s loose form and skill that had grown over these past weeks. “I will be,” she said softly.
Lea followed her gaze. “That kid adores you. Not surprising. You two breathe the same way on the beach.”
“I talked to her. She’s scared about leaving and losing everything she built here.”
“And her dad?” Lea’s gaze dove deep. “What are you going to do about your suit?”
Rowan shook her head once. “He’s going back to New York. He’s set to get his big promotion and can’t turn it down. I told him I couldn’t go, just like we discussed.” She gestured around them, to the aunties, the sand, the smell of grilled teriyaki. “This is home. This is my line. And I can’t leave it. Not again.”
Lea didn’t sayI know.She didn’t saygood.She just bumped her shoulder against Rowan’s and let silence do the empathy work. “You told him you love him?”
“Yes. We both said it. And you know what sucks the most, Lea? I waited forever and finally meet the guy that’s my soulmate—the damn unicorn! I even got an extra bonus with Kelsey. But I can’t live someplace that makes me smaller just to keep the man I love bigger.”
Lea’s expression softened in that rare way—the one she only used during breakups and post-wipeout panic attacks. “Good girl,” she murmured. “Doesn’t make it less shitty, but good girl.”
They fell quiet. Families were spreading towels across the beach. Someone started playing ukulele. Cousin Howie shouted at a group ofkids to “stop pretending those coconuts are grenades,” which only made them run faster. Rowan gazed at the horizon, where ocean met sky and mountains shimmered and surfers flew high for precious moments that meant everything. “This is what I want. I even decided to put some hours in at the youth club. Teach the groms.”
Lea beamed and lifted her hand for a high five. “About time! They’ll be lucky to have you.”
“I also want to ask you something. Something serious.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Rowan laughed. “No, for real. I know once Labor Day is over you start some serious training to get ready for comps. And I want to help you.”
Lea turned serious. “You sure? It could bring back some bad memories. Not going to think worse of you for not being able to do it, Ro.”
The answer settled into her bones. “I want to. The last piece missing is being back in the world I love—surfing. If I can’t compete, I’ll find a different way in. But I’m not denying stuff anymore.”
Lea’s eyes brightened. “Then I’ll take the help.” They smiled at each other. “Will he come tonight?”
Rowan’s chest tightened. “I don’t know. He’s probably busy with meetings and prep for New York. I don’t blame him. He’s got a whole life waiting.” She tried for a smile. It wobbled. “But yeah. I think he’ll stay away. We left things badly. He disappeared before morning and I haven’t heard from him since.”
Lea squeezed her hand. “Then we’ll hold the line with you.”
Kelsey popped up clean on her board and caught the swell, riding it in with a perfect bottom turn. She stepped off and pumped her fist in the air with joy.
Rowan laughed. “Look at her,” Lea whispered. “That girl is going to own the ocean one day.”
“She already does.”
