Page 89 of Between the Lines

“I will shut it down,” Paige said. “Publicly, if I have to. But on my terms.”

Randi let out a breath. “Okay. I don’t love it. But I trust you. Mostly.”

Paige laughed softly. “That’s fair.”

Randi added, “Your skin really does look amazing, by the way.”

Paige smiled, tension easing just a little. “Thank you. I like the products a lot. I have some extras. I’ll put them in the mail to you.”

“Thanks,” Randi said. “And for the record, I’m watching that woman and that comment like a hawk.”

“So am I,” Paige said.

They hung up a moment later. Paige set her phone down and glanced back at the screen, at Darcy’s comment still sitting there, unchanged.

Let her wonder why I’ve let it stay, Paige thought. Let her wonder what I might be thinking. And what I might do next.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Wednesday morning had played out the way Blaise adored. All of the important things were done and the rest of the day stretched out before her, full of promise and potential.

She’d walked the beach with Brick and Beau earlier. Beau had been his usual rambunctious self. Brick had shared more good news about Holland, who continued to recover nicely, now that he was home.

The sun had been warm, the tide low, the waves gentle, and the beach quiet, so basically a perfect morning. After their walk, Brick had headed off to run errands, and Blaise had come home, done a short workout of body weight exercises, showered, and eaten breakfast.

Of course, she’d fed Beau, too. He was asleep in his bed, a shaft of sunlight warming him into oblivion. She’d claimed her spot on the couch and had her laptop balanced comfortably across her thighs.

She was deep into a new chapter now. The good kind of deep. The kind where the words came easily and the scene unfolded the same way it did in her memories. It was like watching a movie of her memories and transcribing it.

Her fingers moved steadily over the keys, her last cup of coffee cooling on the table beside her. Probably time to pour it over ice and finish it that way.

She glanced at Beau. One of his paws twitched now and then, making her smile. And making her think about Essie. Blaise hoped Maple was settling in all right. Maybe she’d send Essie a text and check in.

She decided to send it to the Queen Bees text group so they could all stay in the loop. Just wanted to know how things were going with Maple, Essie. Give us an update when you have a chance.

She was about to put her phone down when it buzzed in her hand.

She glanced down. There was no way Essie had answered that quickly, but then Blaise saw Cece’s name in the group text.

Well, I did it, my friends. The podcast is live.

Then a second message popped up. Cece had sent a link. If anyone wants to check it out, there it is.

Blaise let out a soft, delighted laugh and started typing. That’s incredible. Congratulations. I’m so proud of you.

She added a second message before setting the phone down. I’m listening and subscribing as soon as I finish this paragraph.

She meant it. Cece had worked too hard. She deserved their support.

The rest of the women responded in kind, their messages arriving one after the other.

Cece responded once more. Thank you all! I’m excited. I actually published the first episode last night, but I’m officially announcing it on my social media today, so I consider this my launch. Although, believe it or not, I’ve already had some listens! Crazy, right?

Not crazy, Paige answered. You had a phenomenal first guest. Who wouldn’t listen to two smart women sharing some real truth?

With a smile, Blaise returned to her laptop, reread the last sentence she’d written, adjusted the wording slightly, tweaked one detail, then hit Save. She leaned back against the cushions, satisfied, just as her phone chimed again.

She reached for it, assuming it was the Queen Bees thread again.