“Sounds good. I might hit the beach for a bit, but I’ll be around if anything comes up.”
Althea was sitting in the chair beside the bed. Maude went over and touched Lester’s arm. “Thanks for letting me hang out with you today, Lester. Now that your beautiful wife is here, I’m going to let you guys visit. I’ll see you soon, though, okay?”
He was all smiles. “I’m counting on it, Maude.”
She smiled at Althea. “You need anything, I’m a text away.”
“Thank you,” Althea said, eyes filled with genuine gratitude.
Paige said goodbye to Maude, then approached the bed as she left. “Can I get either of you anything? I’d be happy to make a run down to the cafeteria or the gift shop.”
“I wouldn’t mind a milkshake,” Lester said.
Althea frowned. “Are you allowed to have that?”
“I’m having open heart surgery tomorrow,” he said. “I think I should be allowed to have whatever I want.”
She smiled, a very different, very indulgent smile than what Paige had seen before. “That’s a good point.” She looked at Paige.
“Just tell me what kind and I’m on my way.”
“Black and white,” Lester said. “Like the old days.”
Paige shook her head. “I don’t know what that is.”
Althea answered. “Vanilla milkshake with chocolate syrup.”
“Got it,” Paige said. “I’ll be right back. Althea, you want anything? A magazine? A drink?”
Althea took Lester’s hand. “I’ve got everything I need.”
Paige’s heart swelled. Althea’s sons were idiots if they couldn’t see the happiness Lester brought her. “I won’t be long. Text me if you think of anything.”
She left them alone and went down to the cafeteria. If she could find a man who made her as happy as Lester made Althea, she might think about getting married again.
Maybe. And that was abigmaybe.
Being single after what she’d endured, after the betrayal and humiliation, was so much better than risking her heart again.
She stepped off the elevator and followed the signs to the cafeteria. She didn’t like being alone all the time, but with these women from the book club now in her life, she had a feeling those days were behind her.
Chapter Twenty-One
Blaise was doing a cycle of delicates when she heard footsteps on her porch followed by a knock on her front door. She closed the lid of the washer and hit Start. Paige, maybe? Or one of the other women? Had she missed a text? Although she didn’t think they knew where she lived. And she doubted their footsteps would be that heavy.
Her phone was in the back pocket of her cut-off shorts. She checked it as she walked to the door. No missed text and she could see through the frosted glass that the figure on the other side was not female. Beau was still sleeping in his bed in the living room. The knocking hadn’t bothered him, apparently.
Some watchdog.
Wondering who it could be, she opened the door and found Brick standing there. Not at all who she’d expected.
She smiled. “Hi.”
He looked her up and down. She realized she didn’t look like her usual self, but she was getting ready to clean the bathroom, hence the bleach-spotted tank top, old cut-off jean shorts, and the messy knot she’d tied her hair up in.
He tipped his head toward his place. “You want a steak?”
She hesitated. “Right now?” Dinner for her was still a few hours away.
