“With all that buildup, I’ll try the cappuccino.”

Thunder cracked overhead, immediately followed by a torrential rain beating against the windows.

“You made it just in time,” Cara called out.

“What a day,” Julia said, settling herself on the sofa.

A few minutes later Cara returned to the living room balancing two cups of cappuccino in her hands. She offered one to Julia, then sat in a chair opposite her. Outside the palm fronds shook with the wind and dark skies made the morning look like night.

“So…” Cara said as an opener. “What’s up?”

“I don’t know where to begin,” Julia said. She took a dainty sip, then set the cup and saucer on the coffee table.

Cara thought the storm outside the window matched the expression on her face. Bad winds coming, she told herself.

“I just came from the beach house.”

Cara leaned forward to set her coffee cup on the table. She was on full alert.

“What I have to tell you will shock you,” Julia began. She dramatically waved her hand, sending the row of bracelets clattering. “You can’t imagine how I felt. I had to come here straightaways. You have to know what’s happening in that… that…”

“Please, Julia. Just tell me.”

Julia took a calming breath. “Okay. I went to see my children this morning. I had gifts.” She paused. “You did know that Cooper moved into the beach house?”

“Yes. Linnea told me.”

Julia nodded. “I’m not happy about it. I mean, I haven’t seen my son in almost a year and I was looking forward to time with him. Palmer too. But that’s neither here nor there,” she added. “Anyway, as I said, I brought gifts. An instapot for Linnea, because you told me how wonderful it was, and some clothes for Cooper. For the summer.”

Cara started tapping her foot.

“I enter the house, calling out like I always do. Thank goodness I did. Linnea was in the kitchen, and I went back to deliver my gift to Cooper. I open the door to his room, and oh, Cara! I found Cooper in his underwear with that roommate of Linnea’s.”

“Anna.”

“Their clothes were everywhere. Both their clothes, if you catch my meaning.”

“I’m following you,” Cara said, trying not to smile. “I’m sure that was embarrassing.”

“Wait. There’s more. I walk away, of course. Then in the kitchen I’m talking to Linnea and who comes strolling out in his boxers as free as you please?”

“Let me guess. Gordon.”

“You knew?”

“It’s not hard to figure that one out.”

“It doesn’t bother you? That they’re all sleeping together?”

“No. Why should it? They’re all adults.”

“It’s your house. It’s a bordello.”

Cara stifled her laugh, not wanting to shame Julia. “I think you’re overreacting. Come on, Julia, you had to know that Linnea and Gordon were sleeping together. And as for Cooper and Anna, that caught me by surprise too. What do you want me to do?”

“Tell Linnea to clear the men out of the house. That’s what I would do.”