“With the baking.”
“Okay, I can do that, but only if we make two cakes. You teach me to make it so I can take one to my book club.”
He grunted. Then nodded. “Bring Beau.”
She smiled. “I can do that, too.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
After getting the potato salad made and having a long call with Liliana and a quick text with Albie, Essie spent the day doing laundry. It wasn’t her favorite thing to do but with Frank out of the house it was a good opportunity to change the sheets and get them washed. It was the kind of thing that she despised doing but loved having done.
It was also a good distraction that was almost helping her stay off of TikTok. She’d only visited Sophie’s channel three times so far, but she was considering a fourth.
Frank had to have talked with her by now.
But there was no text from him, no call. Nothing to let her know how things had gone. Could that mean they were still talking? It must. No other answer made sense. He hadn’t reached out to her because he had nothing to tell her yet.
She had no option but to wait. She took her new book outside to read. Fortunately, it held her attention. Nearly an hour and several chapters later, her phone finally vibrated with an incoming text message.
She snatched it up. Frank.
No surprise, but Sophie is furious. When she’s not crying, that is. I can’t leave until this is worked out. I’m sorry, but I have to spend the night.
It’s okay, Essie sent back.We both thought that might happen.
I hate being away from you.
She put her hand to her heart before answering.I hate being away from you, too, but this needs to be dealt with. Praying for you.
Thank you. I love you. See you tomorrow afternoon, sweetheart.
Love you too.
That was that. Frank was staying overnight. That’s why he’d packed a bag. She’d suspected that was how things would go. Sophie was a complicated situation.
Essie set her phone aside, said a prayer for her husband and for her stepdaughter, then contemplated how she was going to spend the rest of the evening.
Being alone wasn’t her favorite thing. She wasn’t one of those women who craved that kind of time. She liked being with her husband, being with family, or being with friends. Unfortunately, none of those were nearby.
Except that wasn’t exactly true anymore, was it?
She had new friends. The Queen Bees. Did she dare call one of them? They were probably all busy.
She could always send a text to the group chat. Sort of hint that she was on her own and looking for someone to hang out with. Then they could all just chime in with what they were doing and that would be that.
She’d have tried. Then she could put a movie on or go back to her book. She pulled up the Colony’s app, looked at the Events Calendar, and made her plan.
The text came next.Hi girls! Essie here. Anyone up for trivia night at the Community Hall? Frank’s out of town and I was thinking it might be a fun team event.
Cece answered first.Believe it or not, I’m bowling, otherwise I’d love to.
Paige was next.I’m out to dinner. Sorry!
Maude chimed in after her.I can make it. What time?
Essie smiled.Starts in 30 mins. North Hall.She noticed another detail underneath the time and made a face.And we need three people to make a team!!
Then Blaise’s response popped up. I can be there. Might be late as I just got back from a beach walk, but I’ll hustle.
