Welcome to Reefside

Best Friend Reunion Part 2

Wes's POV

I hang up the phone as Ashley and I walk out to the jeep.

"I still can't believe my best friend knows someone rich," she says, shaking her head with a grin. "Do you or your dad think you could help make the crazy mansion Tracy and I drew in sixth grade a reality?"

I chuckle as I unlock the doors. "Maybe. Depends—how elaborate is this mansion?"

Ashley doesn't even hesitate. "It has three floors, a butler for every room, and even a pool in the master bathroom."

I raise an eyebrow. "A pool? In the bathroom?"

"Yup. With a waterfall feature and heated tiles," she says proudly, like it's the most reasonable thing in the world. "And a snack bar. You know—so you don't have to leave the tub for snacks."

I shake my head, smiling. "Sounds like you two were either visionaries... or sugar-high."

Ashley shrugs. "We were twelve. Sugar-high visionaries."

Eric leans against the driver's side door, arms crossed and eyebrow slightly raised. "So... she's Tracy's best friend?" he asks, giving Ashley a once-over like he's trying to figure her out.

"I'm more than that," Ashley says with a dramatic toss of her hair. "I'm the wind beneath her wings, the hip to her hop, the peanut to her butter."

Eric blinks. "...Apparently, the more talkative one of the duo."

Ashley grins. "Someone's gotta bring the sparkle."

He smirks. "Well, I hope Tracy's ready. Something tells me she's about to get hit with a glitter bomb in human form."

I glance at Ashley as she hops into the backseat with the energy of five espresso shots. "This is why I asked for hazard pay," I mutter.

"Rude," Ashley calls from the backseat, rummaging through her backpack. "I brought snacks. I demand respect."

Eric slides into the passenger seat with a chuckle. "This is going to be an interesting reunion."

Mike's POV 

As soon as I hang up the call with Wes, I head back inside, only to find Samason explaining to Eli and Madge how he will marry Tracy when he's older.

Tracy catches my eye, one eyebrow raised like she's silently asking, You ready to deal with your tiny fan club now, Mikey?

I grin and crouch down next to Samason. "Hey, buddy. How about you play with Eli and Madge for a bit? Tracy and I will sneak out for a quick breakfast, just the two of us."

Samason's face falls for a second. "But I wanted to sit next to Tracy!"

"You'll still get to spend the whole day with her at school," I promise. "You, Eli and Madge are gonna have so much fun. If you're super good, I heard there might even be cupcakes in the teacher's lounge."

That gets his attention. He gasps like I just told him Santa was real again. "For real?"

"Cross my heart."

He runs toward the backyard, where Eli and Madge are giggling near the sandbox.

I glance at Tracy, who's watching me with a soft smile. "You didn't have to bribe him with cupcakes."

"I didn't," I smirk. "But if Principal Randall finds one missing, I might have to plead the fifth."

Tracy chuckles and shakes her head. "You're the worst... but also the best."