Peanut meowed, clearly a strong-arm attempt to get Cece out of bed and into the kitchen.
“Well, I think it’s fantastic,” she said to Peanut, who blinked like she was unimpressed. “International romance! Trips to the big city! This is very swoony, Peanut.”
Peanut climbed into her lap, demanding breakfast before another word was said. Cece finally obliged, padding into the kitchen and filling the food bowl while still thinking about Paige’s message with a grin.
After a quick bowl of protein yogurt and berries, Cece reluctantly headed to the fitness center. She liked that she was getting into the exercise groove, but she still didn’t love the actual exercise.
At least the Monday morning crowd was sparse. The treadmills were busy, though. Humming away in a steady rhythm. She imagined they’d only become more popular as it continued to warm up outside. She popped in her earbuds and let a lively playlist power her through a brisk warm-up walk and a circuit of the machines that were set up for that purpose.
It felt good to get her heartrate going and feel like she was doing something positive for herself. It was a nice way to start the week. And even though she knew logically that it was too soon to see any results, she really did feel a tiny bit skinnier.
After a cooldown stretch, she gathered her stuff and headed out. She sat behind the wheel of her golf cart to text Natalie.Heythere! How are you and Tyler this Monday morning? I just got done working out, if you can believe that.
Natalie responded fast.Good for you! We’re okay. Tyler didn’t want to go to school but we made it out the door. One day at a time, right?
Cece could imagine how Tyler was feeling. Natalie, too. Just getting through the day would be an accomplishment.Right! Anytime you need dinner and don’t feel like cooking, you can use my Uber Eats account if you want. I mean it. I’m happy to buy you guys dinner once a week.
You’ve already done so much, Mom. But it’s a sweet offer. We’re good, I swear. Love you.
Love you too.Cece tucked her phone away, comforted by her daughter’s words. Natalie was doing her best and that was as much as anyone could hope for.
Back home, after she’d showered and changed, Cece started on her big project for the day: Unboxing and setting up her new podcast equipment. She sat in her spare room and began opening the boxes she’d hauled in there.
Peanut hovered nearby.
“I’m not making second breakfast, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Cece said. Peanut didn’t move. Cece took everything out of the first box and set it on her desk. The box went onto the floor next to the little cat, who sniffed it, walked around it, then climbed into the box and lay down.
Cece shook her head, smiling. “I should have known that’s what you wanted.” She went back to work unwrapping her new headphones and mic and reading the instructions for them. It didn’t seem too hard to figure out.
Next, she tackled putting together the second office chair. That would be for her guests. She was halfway done when her phone chimed from the pocket of her leggings.
She sat in her existing chair to check the screen. More responses to Paige’s message, all of them happy and encouraging and all of the Queen Bees accounted for.
She sent Blaise a separate message.How are you this morning? Did Brick’s son apologize yet or do we need to form a posse?
The reply took a moment, long enough for Cece to picture Blaise picking the right words.
Good morning! Dinner last night was amazing. No apology from Holland, but Brick’s handling it and I’m fine with that.
Cece smiled at the screen.You deserve all the amazing things. And if Holland acts up again, at least Brick’s aware now. That’s good.
It’s very good. Hey, I’m working on my query letter today and hope to get it done. Okay for me to email it to you later?
Absolutely. I’m setting up my podcasting stuff. Not sure when I’ll be ready to launch, but I’m hoping soon. You still on for my first guest spot?
Ready when you are!
Cece set her phone down, stood, and stretched. Time to get moving again.
A folding table leaned against one wall, ready to be transformed into her podcast command center. Her desk was too small, but it would just be moved to the wall. She unfurled a small rug she’d found on sale, cheerful turquoise with bright white and sage accents that was pretty and would help dampen the sound in the room.
She centered it beneath where the table would be. Peanut supervised from her box.
Cece retrieved the standalone microphone she’d ordered, which looked so professional it gave her a thrill, and placed it gently on the table. Next came the floor lamp. She screwed in thebulb, then turned it on to see what it would look like. It cast more light than she’d expected, filling the space.
She considered hanging some framed prints on the wall across from it. Maybe some quotes or beach photos. Something that told anyone who might be in her studio that this podcast was fun, smart, and definitely worth their time.
Her studio. Wasn’t that fun to think about?
