“That sounds perfect. I’ll just be a few minutes.” She grabbed her bag off the steps and took it upstairs. When she came down, she was in black leggings, a cute T-shirt, and flipflops, her highlighted hair knotted up on top of her head. “Let me take Barkley out real quick, then we can settle in for the night.”
“Sounds good.”
When Randi and Barkley returned, Paige had opened the merlot. “Do you want to take this out to the porch? It’s a beautiful night. I can put the string lights on.”
“Yeah, that would be great. Let me help.”
Together, they got the glasses of wine, the bottle, the cheeseboard, and a little stack of napkins outside. They put everything on the coffee table, then helped themselves. When they were settled in, Randi on the sofa, Paige in her chair, Randi kicked her feet. She sat with her back against the arm of the sofa and her feet out in front of her, which put her closer to Paige.
Barkley hopped up on the end and sprawled across Randi’s legs.
Paige lifted her glass. “To mother-daughter time.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Randi touched her glass to Paige’s then took a sip. “Good wine, Mom.”
“Thanks.” Paige tasted hers. She hardly drank at all these days, but for Randi, she’d make an exception. “So what’s new? How’s Sean? How’s Liam? How’s work?”
“Everything’s good. Work is busy, as usual. Liam is doing tee ball, but I told you that. So far, he seems to be a decent little hitter. Sean’s working with him and I don’t think I’ve seen him happier. I love that they’re spending so much time together.”
“Sean played baseball in college, didn’t he?”
“That’s right,” Randi said. “Nice memory. What’s new with you?” She ate a cracker with a slice of cheese on it.
“I’ve started a book club. The Queen Bees.” Paige smiled proudly. “It’s a great group of women. Four of us spent some time together at the pool today.”
With a smirk on her lips, Randi slanted her gaze in Paige’s direction. “The Queen Bees?”
Paige made the same smirk right back at her. Randi knew that’s what some of the residents of the Colony had been callingPaige. Paige touched the gold and diamond bee pendant she’d taken to wearing. “I’ve decided to embrace it.”
“Nicely done. I love that.” Randi let out a happy sigh. “This is a great place. And you seem like you’re doing so well here. Are you happy? How is it living in a tiny house? Although, honestly, this place is notthatsmall.”
“I love it here. I wasn’t so sure at first. It was a big adjustment, but now…” Paige thought about her new friends—and Graham—and smiled. “I really love it here.”
Randi slouched a little further, clearly relaxed. “I can see why. You’ve got the beach right in front of you, great amenities, a brand-new house, new friends. This is the life, Mom. And you deserve it after what you went through.”
“Thank you, Randi.” She was about to ask if her daughter wanted a refill when Randi’s phone, tucked in the side pocket of her leggings, went off.
Barkley’s head came up.
“Probably Sean saying goodnight,” Randi said as she pulled the phone out. She sighed and looked less than happy. “Nope. It’s Dad. It’s like he knew we were talking about him.”
They hadn’t actually been talking about him, but they had been referring to him, Paige supposed. “You can take it, if you want.”
“I don’t want.” She tapped her screen, then shoved the phone back into her pocket. “He’s been very persistent lately and I don’t get it. He knows how I feel. The last time we talked, I told him I’d keep him updated on Liam, but that was it. He doesn’t get a second chance. Not after his lies and betrayal.”
She downed the last of her wine before holding her glass out. “You have the bottle?”
“I do.” Paige refilled Randi’s glass. “I don’t know what to tell you about your dad other than I suppose he’s trying to make amends.”
“How do you make amends for tearing your family apart? He—” Randi closed her mouth and put her hand up. “I don’t want to talk about him.”
“Fine with me.” Paige knew her daughter still had anger about the past as Paige did, but Paige had been able to deal with things better because she’d had the solace of a healthy settlement to help ease her way.
“Do you and Sean need anything?”
A little smile bent Randi’s mouth. “You mean money? Mom, we’re doing fine. Not only do we still have most of the nest egg you gave us, but with that college fund you set up for Liam, his future is secure.”
Paige ate a grape, pleased with that response. “Just checking.”
