Chapter 5 Trent
TRENT
The night felt almost unreal. A soft breeze carried the scent of salt and fried fish, the sound of the kids’ laughter drifting over the rhythmic hush of the waves.
Trent leaned back on his elbows, watching Alisha tilt her head as she laughed at something Cody said.
The moonlight caught in her hair, turning each strand to silver.
He didn’t think he’d ever seen anything so beautiful.
They had eaten their fish and chips right out of the paper, the sand beneath them cool now that the sun’s heat had gone.
Maggie and Cody were at the shoreline, rolling up their pajama pants, daring each other to go a little farther into the surf.
Luna and Muttley chased one another in dizzy circles, their paws leaving a mess of tracks that the tide quickly erased.
Trent smiled, the quiet satisfaction of the evening settling over him. Everything about this moment felt right. Ordinary in the best possible way.
Alisha brushed her hands together and sighed contentedly. “You know,” she said softly, “I can’t remember the last time Cody laughed this much.”
“That’s a good sign,” Trent said. “Means he feels safe again.”
“He does.” She turned toward him, her expression thoughtful. “You’ve been good for him. For all of us, really.”
Trent shook his head. “It’s you. You make this feel like home.”
She opened her mouth as if to protest, then smiled instead. “Well, we make a good team.”
They sat for a while in comfortable silence, watching the children play. The night sky stretched endless and silver-blue above them, the stars winking through thin streaks of cloud. The ocean’s pulse was steady and patient, as though it understood what it meant to start over.
“This night is perfect,” Trent said, his voice low. He turned toward her, heart thudding. “And so are you.”
Alisha’s breath caught, a shy flush coloring her cheeks as she met his gaze. The warmth that passed between them felt alive, electric but gentle.
Trent leaned closer, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
Their lips met softly at first, the kind of kiss that carried both hesitation and promise. It deepened just slightly, the world narrowing to the sound of the sea and the faint salt taste of her skin.
Then, as if the universe had impeccable comedic timing, a burst of shrieking laughter split the air.
Trent and Alisha broke apart, startled, and turned to see Cody and Maggie splashing each other with handfuls of glowing surf foam, the dogs joining in with barks of wild joy.
“Oh no,” Alisha groaned, laughing despite herself. “Now look what you’ve started. They’re going to be soaked and covered in sand.”
“Then we’d better even the odds.” Trent grinned, rising to his feet and brushing off his jeans.
“Trent, don’t you dare—”
But he reached for her hand before she could finish and tugged her up too quickly. She stumbled forward, landing against his chest. Her laughter faltered as she looked up at him.
The world seemed to pause.
He could feel the quick rhythm of her heartbeat against him, the warmth of her hand still in his. Everything about her—her strength, her kindness, the way she’d fought through pain and loss to find light again—hit him all at once.
“I know this is sudden,” he said quietly, his fingers brushing her cheek, “but I’ve fallen head over heels for you.”
Alisha’s eyes widened. For a heartbeat, he feared he’d misread everything. But then her expression softened, and a smile slowly curved her lips.
“I’m glad to hear that,” she whispered, “because I’ve fallen for you, too. I never thought I’d find love again… not like this.”
Relief and joy flooded through him. He cupped her face gently, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. “Then I guess I’m the lucky one,” he said, his voice rougher than he meant it to be. “Because you and Cody have become my world, Alisha. I don’t ever want to lose that.”
Their lips met again, slower this time, a kiss filled with all the quiet certainty he hadn’t realized he was searching for. The sound of waves and the children’s laughter faded to a distant hum. For a few endless seconds, the only thing that existed was the woman in his arms.
Then Luna barked—a sharp, excited bark this time, not the warning kind that made Trent’s heart race earlier.
Muttley’s tail began wagging, his earlier tension dissolving as he bounded toward the dunes. A delighted squeal rang out from Maggie, who jumped to her feet and pointed.
“Mommy!” she cried, sand flying as she tore across the beach.
Trent blinked in surprise, then chuckled as recognition dawned. “Well,” he said with a soft laugh, running a hand through his hair, “seems you’re about to meet my sister in person. She has the absolute worst timing.”
Alisha’s head snapped toward him, wide-eyed. “Tessa?”
He nodded, still grinning as the familiar figure came into focus under the silvery moonlight. Tessa was dressed casually in rolled jeans and a soft white sweater, her dark curls tossed by the wind. She carried her sandals in one hand and waved the other as Maggie sprinted toward her.
The child flung herself into Tessa’s arms, and the woman spun her around with a delighted laugh that filled the night air. “Oh, Maggie! You’ve grown so much since the last video call!”
Maggie giggled and squeezed tighter. “You’re really here!”
Tessa laughed again, setting her down gently. “Of course I am. I promised I’d come see Lost Love Cove when things finally calmed down.”
By the time they reached the group, Alisha was smiling so widely that Trent’s chest tightened. The two women took a moment to look at each other, then shared the kind of hug that made it feel like they’d already known each other for years.
“So we finally meet in person,” Tessa said, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “I can see why my brother’s been smiling so much lately.”
“Tessa,” Alisha returned warmly, cheeks pink but her smile radiant. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you without a screen between us.”
Tessa grinned, clearly pleased. “Technology can’t beat meeting in person.” She looked toward the picnic basket half-buried in the sand. “So, did I interrupt something romantic?”
“Just a moonlight picnic,” Alisha said with a laugh. “We were about to watch a movie back at Carrie’s. You should come. There’s plenty of room—and plenty of food left.”
“Food?” Tessa’s eyes lit up immediately. “Now you’re talking. Don’t tell me you finished all the chips already.”
“Not a chance,” Alisha assured her. “We always overpack.”
The children gathered the empty bottles and blankets as the little group made their way up the beach. Maggie chattered happily beside Tessa, Cody carrying Muttley’s leash, Luna trotting ahead, tail wagging.
Trent hung back for a moment, watching them. The woman he loved walking side by side with his twin sister, their laughter blending with the surf, the kids running ahead in carefree joy. For the first time in years, he saw not just a moment of peace but the shape of something lasting.
He pictured future Christmas mornings full of laughter and mismatched pajamas, summer barbecues, birthdays with too much cake, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent exactly like this. The idea didn’t scare him—it filled him with a deep, quiet happiness.
He smiled, hands in his pockets, heart steady. For the first time in his life, Trent was excited for the future.