“Works for me.”
“Thanks, Maudie.”
“You’re welcome, Ollie.”
They hung up and she sat back. Ollie had handled the news well enough. Maude couldn’t believe Emily had insisted on keeping his dog. That was pretty low.
Maude didn’t feel so bad about what she’d uncovered now.
Chapter Forty-One
How had the week gone by so fast? How was it Thursday and time for the next Queen Bees book club meeting already?
Paige wasn’t sure, but she was looking forward to seeing her new friends.
She used a cotton swab to remove a tiny fleck of wayward mascara from under one eye, then stood back from the mirror. She’d gone casual chic this evening. Crisp white shirt—collar popped—medium-wash straight-leg jeans, accessorized with emerald green croc-embossed belt and loafers, a single strand of Mikimoto pearls, tiny gold hoops, and on her ring finger, a wide, hammered-gold band.
She was happy with what she saw. And ready to see her friends, talk about the book, share some laughs, some nibbles, and catch up.
She might not be ready to broadcast Graham to her TikTok audience, but she was definitely telling the Queen Bees. He was too good to keep to herself. Her joy overflowed. They’d gone out again for lunch to a little place further down the coast.
He continued to impress her. And she continued to consider changing her mind about staying single. Not that she waslooking to get remarried. But a boyfriend wasn’t such a bad idea, was it?
Essie was the first to arrive for book club and she came bearing a small gold box of exceptional chocolates. “Frank brought these back for me from his trip and I wanted to share them with all of you.”
Paige was nearly blinded by the light coming off Essie’s wrist. She caught hold of Essie’s arm to have a better look. “Is that all he brought back?”
Essie looked a little shy, but lifted her wrist just the same. “No. The bracelet is new, too.”
“That is a major piece of bling. Frank has excellent taste. But then, he married you.”
Essie threw her head back and laughed. “No argument from me.”
Blaise came in after her, holding a plate in both hands with a snowy-white coconut cake on it, delicately wrapped in cling film. “Hello, everyone. I am proud to say I baked this myself. With some assistance. But there’s no guarantee how it’ll taste.”
“It looks incredible,” Essie said as Blaise set the cake on the counter.
“It does,” Paige said. Then she gently nudged Blaise. “Check out the new ice on Essie’s wrist. Alittlegift from Frank.”
Blaise turned. “Let me see it.” She gasped as Essie held up her wrist. “Are you serious with that? How are you lifting your arm? Does Frank have a brother?”
Essie laughed. “You guys are too much. But I do feel pretty spoiled.”
The bell rang and Paige went to get it, finding Maude and Cece standing there. “Come in, come in. The gang’s all here.”
Maude had a veggie and dip tray that looked homemade in the best possible way. “I hope this is all right.”
“That is perfect.” Paige meant it, too. They had more than enough sugar in the house with Blaise’s cake and Essie’s chocolates.
Cece held up her hands. “I’m sorry. I brought nothing. That makes me a terrible guest, I know, but I’ve had a couple oflongdays.”
Paige hugged her, because she looked like she needed it. “That’s fine. All that’s required is you.”
“Thanks,” Cece said softly.
Paige closed the door. “Why don’t we get our snacks, sit down, and catch up before we get into the book? Althea’s not going to make it this evening. She just wasn’t ready to leave Lester home alone on his first day out of the hospital, but she promised she’s going to try to make the next meeting. Lester’s doing great, by the way. He’s still got a lot of rehab to do, which is probably another reason why Althea didn’t want to leave him.”
Essie was slicing Blaise’s cake. “I can understand that.”
