The girls kept taking turns driving, with an uneventful rest of the ride. Finally, they reached the state line of Florida. Only a few hours more, and they were home.
"We're here," Jessica smiled. "Home sweet home."
Nodding, Brianne replied, "It's beautiful." They took in the white Tudor-style house and surrounding landscape.
Neither of them noticed a man walk up behind them, stroaking his goatee in wonderment.
"You must be our new neighbors," the man said softly, causing the girls to jump in surprise. They spun to face him. Brianne had the sudden urge to whip off his sunglasses, but didn't.
"Yea," Jessica smiled. "Nice to meet you. My name's Jess, and that's Brianne."
"Alex, but you can call me AJ," he replied, smiling. "Nice to meet you lovely ladies. So you're the daughter that our neighbor talks about constantly but fails to bring down here?" he laughed, meeting Jessica's wandering gaze and forcing her to stare at him.
"Yea," she laughed. "Never once have I been down here. I'm so glad she let me have it." AJ and Jess smiled knowingly. Brianne just stood there.
"Hey there," a new voice interuppted.
"Kevin!" Brianne laughed, turning to him. He smiled at her.
"And Howie," Jessica added, smiling softly at Howie, who gave her a wink. She bit her lip to keep from blushing.
"Ya'll know each other?" Aj asked, raising his eyebrow.
"Kinda. They came to the stable for a trail ride right before we left," Howie explained to his confused best friend. AJ nodded.