Page 11 of Happily Ever After

Essie leaned back slightly. “Good for Paige. But…what if Darcy didn’t really know anything? Then Paige has done this for no reason.”

“Maybe. But Paige sounded pretty convinced that Darcy knew.”

Essie nodded. “You’re right, she did. And Paige wouldn’t reveal anything if she wasn’t completely okay with it.”

Maude glanced toward the entrance, then back at Essie. “I keep trying to imagine what it could be.”

Essie shook her head. “Everyone has their secrets, I suppose. But Paige doesn’t seem the type. Still, it’s about her divorce. So maybe the secret isn’t about Paige, but her ex-husband.”

“Exactly.” Maude set her glass down. “I think Paige is doing the right thing. She’s taking control of the situation and doing it her way.”

“Which is very Paige.” Essie pursed her lips. “Darcy isn’t going to like this. At least, that’s what I think.”

“I agree with you,” Maude said. “If anything, this is Paige not only taking control but knocking Darcy down a few pegs.”

Essie smiled a little. “I really hope it takes the wind right out of her sails.”

“It might make her realize what a foolish thing it was to do in the first place,” Maude added. “Which I don’t think she’s used to. Although she deserves it, after the way she went after Paige.”

“Agreed,” Essie said.

The server returned with a bowl of water, setting it between the dogs. Maple leaned forward to give it a sniff, then drank, careful and neat. Milo followed with enough enthusiasm that Maude felt drops of water hit her leg.

She frowned down at him. “Thanks, Milo.”

Essie watched them for a second before looking back up. “I just thought of something.”

“What’s that?”

“Even if Darcy gets mad, she won’t be able to react publicly,” Essie said. “Not without showing her hand.”

Maude nodded. “True. Because if she does, everyone with a brain will understand what she was up to.”

Essie picked up her menu but didn’t look at it right away. “Paige is smarter than Darcy gave her credit for.”

“You know that’s right,” Maude said with some attitude. “Darcy just assumed she’d stay quiet.” She snorted. “Darcy really didn’t know who she was trying to intimidate, did she?”

Essie smiled. “Not even a little bit.”

Maude checked on the dogs again, then looked back at Essie. “I kind of wish I could see her face when she realizes Paige beat her to the punch.”

Essie laughed softly. “I’m guessing it won’t be pretty.”

“Nope,” Maude agreed. “I really hope she gets the awakening she deserves.”

They looked at their menus then, the conversation shifting easily to food, but Maude felt lighter than she had at the dog park. Paige was doing what she did best—overcoming the obstacles life had thrown at her.

And Darcy, whether she knew it yet or not, was already behind.

They decided on their meals quickly once the server returned.

Essie ordered the pulled chicken sandwich with a side of coleslaw. Maude went with the brisket plate, and fries she fully intended to share, if Essie was interested. The server nodded, scribbled down their orders, and moved on, leaving them with their waters and the background noise of the patio.

Essie took a sip, then leaned in slightly. A little conspiratorially. “You know something? I actually feel sorry for Gigi.”

Maude watched Milo lift his head to check out a passing dog, then settle again. “Because of Darcy, you mean?”

Essie nodded. “I ran into her on the beach and we had a little talk. Gigi doesn’t strike me as someone who sees the whole picture. Or knows what she’s gotten herself into. She just wants to belong. And Darcy seems to have seized on that. Maybe Gigi knows what’s going on, but I feel like she might have just been swept up by whatever Darcy’s told her.”