The humid night air, thick with the salty tang of the nearby sea, swirled through the open-air restaurant. Eloisa watched the lanterns strung along the waterfront sway gently, casting dancing shadows on the sand. Across the small, woven table, Trey leaned back, a contented smile playing on his lips. Lianna, ever the thoughtful host, offered Eloisa another skewer of grilled seafood.
“So,” Trey began, his gaze flicking between Eloisa and her two sons, who were currently engrossed in a hushed debate, “the boys are enjoying the break? You’re thinking of staying another night, then?”
Eloisa nodded, taking a sip of her iced tea. “Yes. Since tomorrow’s Saturday, I figured we could make a proper little getaway. They’ve been glued to their tablets with schoolwork. This fresh air is doing them a w
