“Definitely. I mean, if you think it’s worth doing. Have you sold anything yet?”
Robbie rubbed his jaw. “I’ve sold a few pieces. Nothing big.”
“Well, there you go then,” she said. “That’s proof.”
He was quiet for a beat. “I can’t afford to screw this up.”
“I know,” Maude said gently. “But you also can’t afford to stay stuck forever.”
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I just don’t see how people make a shift like this without everything blowing up.”
“They don’t flip a switch,” she said. “They ease into it. You already know how to build things. You already have the tools. The question isn’t whether you can do it. It’s whether you believe in yourself enough to try.”
He looked at her, really looked at her, like he was seeing the idea from a new angle. “You really think this isn’t reckless?”
“Maybe it is,” she said. “Doesn’t mean it’s not worth a shot.”
Robbie let out a breath, slow and long. “Okay. Maybe I’ll build something while I’m here.”
Maude smiled. “That’s all I’m saying. You can work under the carport.”
He smiled back. “You’re a good sister.”
She turned her face into the sun. “I know.”
Chapter Forty-One
With everything the Queen Bees were dealing with, Paige thought they needed some together time. She took her cue from what Essie had done for them and rented a cabana at the pool.
Thankfully, they’d all said that a girls day by the pool sounded like just the thing. She knew it had been a good idea the moment she stepped into the cabana.
Soft white curtains stirred in the breeze, shading the wide couch and cushioned chairs arranged in an easy, welcoming square. A small table stood ready with a pitcher of lemon water and glasses, along with a bowl of fruit and menus for whatever else they needed.
But this wasn’t about indulging, even though they probably would. It was about being together and having a place to relax, breathe, share, and most importantly, to remind each other they weren’t handling life alone.
With everything the Queen Bees had been navigating—scary doctor visits, family drama, new love, old wounds, second chances—Paige thought they needed this. She couldn’t shake the feeling that if they didn’t get together like this, they might slipaway from each other, and she was determined to keep this group strong and connected.
Even if that meant meeting before tomorrow night’s book club.
She smoothed her towel over the couch just as footsteps sounded on the pool deck. She turned to see Maude.
Maude was in a long, billowy sundress, oversized sunglasses in place, tote bag slung over her shoulder. Her laptop peeked out from the top. “I am so glad you rented this for the entire afternoon,” she said, taking it all in.
Paige grinned. “So am I. How are you?”
“I’m doing better than expected. Sharing a tiny house with a sibling is not for the faint of heart,” Maude said, dropping onto the couch like she’d been waiting for permission to exhale since she’d woken up.
“I can imagine,” Paige said.
Cece followed close behind, navy swimsuit, loose floral coverup, and a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Paige could see she was trying. No one would expect more than that from her.
Paige hugged her a little tighter than usual. “Hey, there.”
“Hi.” Cece took a breath and blinked away her smile. “I needed this,” she said quietly. “Thank you.”
Blaise arrived next, elegant as always, hair pulled back, confidence worn like something that she owned again. She smiled at the cabana, then at Paige. “How did you know I needed a distraction?”
“Because I think we all did,” Paige said. “Any word from?—”
