Essie showed off her bracelet again. “He’s a sweet man and he loves to surprise me. What can I say? I’m blessed.” She put her hands in her lap. “I feel really blessed that Maude and Blaise went to trivia with me this week, too. It’s so nice to have girlfriends again. Thank you for bringing us all together, Paige.”
“You’re welcome. I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that. It’s exactly what I hoped would happen.”
Cece lifted her bottle of water. “To the Queen Bees!”
They all cheered as they raised their drinks.
“And,” Essie said, “to Paige, for starting this book club!”
That got more cheers and moved the conversation naturally into talking about the book. Paige was impressed and pleased that Essie and Cece had both brought notes.
For the next forty-five minutes, they talked about the book nonstop. From plot twists to characters, they discussed whatthey liked, what they didn’t, and what surprised them the most. Not once did Paige have to refer to the list of questions she’d made in case there was a lull.
She loved this group. And she loved that they’d interacted with each other during the week on their own. What a gift these women were turning out to be.
“What are we reading next?” Maude asked.
“I want to know, too,” Cece said. “I’m ready to get reading.”
“How do you feel about Southern women’s fiction?” Paige asked. “There’s a book that’s getting rave reviews right now,The Language of Waves.”
Maude had her phone out and was looking at the screen. “This one by Loretta Church? About a girl who nearly drowns and ends up gifted with premonitions that cause conflicts in her small Alabama town?”
“That’s the one,” Paige said.
“Looks good to me,” Maude said.
The rest of them had their phones out, too. Blaise and Cece were nodding. Essie stared at her screen like she’d seen a ghost.
“Essie, you okay?”
Essie swallowed and shook her head, but her eyes never came off her screen. “This is not good.”
The rest of them put their phones down to look at her.
“What’s wrong?” Blaise asked.
Essie looked like she might cry. She finally lifted her head. “My daughter just texted. Sophie posted a new video on TikTok. She announced she’s suing her father for breach of trust and me for undue influence.”
She pressed a hand to her throat. “I don’t feel well. I need to go home.”
Cece slipped an arm around her shoulders. “She’s probably bluffing, but listen, you’re not going through this alone. We’re here for you.”
Paige stood, her voice firm. “Cece’s right. Anything you need, I’m available. Night or day. I mean that.”
Essie exhaled shakily. “Thank you. That makes me feel better.” She managed a quick smile. “I should still get going. Frank needs to know about this.” She got to her feet. “I really do appreciate all of you.”
As the rest of them rose, Essie hugged Paige. “Thanks.”
“Call if you need me,” Paige said. “I mean it.”
“Same goes for me,” Maude said. “Maybe Cece and I can dig up a few skeletons in her closet.”
That earned a weak laugh. “I’ll let you know.” She looked at the women standing around her. “I’m so glad for all of you.”
Paige, moved by the moment, placed her hand in the center of their little circle. “Queen Bees. All for one…”
The others laid their hands over hers and answered in unison: “And one for all.”
Blaise’s smile spread wide. “We might not have swords like the Musketeers,” she said, “but if you mess with the Queen Bees…” She glanced around at the women with a look that said she now considered them sisters. “You’d better be ready for the sting.”
A ripple of laughter followed, soft but full of intent. The women’s hands tightened briefly before they let go. Paige got it. They were acknowledging that they were stronger together, protective of each other, and ready for whatever came next.
Paige had never been prouder to be a Queen Bee.
