She sighed. “Chloe and Dabney have been letting me borrow things.”

I raised my eyebrows at her questioningly.

“What? You know we like to have all the same clothes.”

That was true. I was about to ask more when she said, “Oh! I forgot! Oliver is out in his car and needs to talk to you.”

I texted him. Come on in!

“How are things looking for Wednesday?” Alice asked. “Do you think you’re going to beat Central?”

“For sure,” Iris said. “We’re really looking strong.”

Oliver opened the porch door and said, “Uh, hi, everyone.”

I patted Iris’s leg. “Why don’t you go up and get your shower.”

“Because I stink, or because you don’t want me to be here for whatever Oliver is about to say?”

“A little of both.”

She smirked as she got up and left.

Oliver gestured to me. “Should we, um…”

I shrugged, pointing toward the open rocking chair. “Why don’t you sit with us. I’ll tell them whatever you’re about to say anyway.”

“Everyone in the beach house is family, and there aren’t secrets among family,” Julie added, winking at me.

Oliver looked confused as I said, “Beach house rules.”

“In that case, hi, I’m Oliver. I know Julie already, of course, from our story.”

Grace and Alice introduced themselves. Oliver turned toward the ocean and said, “What a spectacular view,” and Julie mouthed to me, He is hot.

I had to keep myself from laughing out loud. “Have you come bearing good news?” I asked. The raw hope in my voice embarrassed me.

“Potentially good news,” he said. “With all the hubbub around town about free Bill and whatnot, I’ve gotten some information that makes me feel like we could file a motion for bond reconsideration once I get discovery to use to my advantage too.”

Alice, Grace, and I looked blank, while Julie gasped and leaned forward. “Do you think the prosecutor will reconsider?” Then she looked at us. “House arrest,” she said. “He’s trying to get him out on bond.”

“Ohhhh,” we all said.

“Are you asking as a reporter or an interested friend?” Oliver asked, a touch of flirtation in his voice.

“Can’t I be both?” she asked.

Grace and I shared a look. I was, obviously, more interested in my husband’s prospects, but they were flirting, and it was noticeable.

“Not right now,” he said.

“We’re going to have him out of there in no time,” Julie said, obviously noticing the panic on my face. “So this is just a piece of the puzzle.” She nodded resolutely.