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“Because I need the money,” Joy shot back, indicating that Bea didn’t. Everyone knew she didn’t.
“I’m bored,” Bea said. “It’s a valid reason too.”
“I can’t believe you’re bored here,” Sage said. “It’s such an amazing place.”
Lauren agreed with that. She’d spent a lot of the past two weeks looking at job boards, roaming the island and visiting the historical pieces of it, and chatting with Joy while she cooked or baked.
“It is,” Bea said. “But I don’t want to explore it by myself.”
“She needs her hot tour guide husband to go with her,” Cass teased.
Bea didn’t deny that, and Lauren laughed along with the others.
“My announcement is that I’m really happy to be married to Harrison,” Cass said, beaming out at everyone. “And I’m really happy you’re all here for Supper Club, in Hilton Head.”
“Cherry’s not here,” Joy said.
“No,” Cass said. “You’re right.”
Cherry Forrester wasn’t an original member of their club, and while Lauren really liked her, she also didn’t miss her as much as she would’ve one of the other ladies.
All eyes moved to her side of the table, and Lauren realized only she and Joy hadn’t given their announcements yet. Joy looked at her, and she looked at Joy. She lifted her eyebrows, but Joy remained silent.
“Your news is bigger,” Joy said. She then took a big bite of her taco, a clear indication that she expected Lauren to go first.
“Fine,” Lauren said. She drew in a deep breath. She’d been thinking about this moment for a long time. Weeks. She could’ve planned; shehadplanned. She’d imagined how she’d tell her friends and how they’d react, but now that the moment was here, it was much harder than she’d anticipated.
“Just say it,” Cass said. “You’re making me nervous.”
Lauren looked at her. She looked at Bessie, then Sage, then Bea. These were her people. They’d rally around her and support her, not judge her. “I lost my job,” she said, the words flowing evenly from her mouth. “I lost my job at the beginning of July actually, when I went back to Texas for those few days?”
Stunned silence draped the table, and Lauren felt like she was trying outrun a herd of wild mustangs. “I’m surprised none of you heard about it. Simple Solutions closed down due to some embezzlement allegations. They arrested several people, including Mark.”
She took a breath, and her chest expanded so much easier than it had been since she’d gone to Texas last. “I’m planning to sell my house in Sweet Water Falls and move here permanently. I’m looking for a place, but I won’t move until Joy goes back to Texas in the fall.”
She smiled at Joy, who nodded, a silent encouragement that Lauren had done a good job succinctly delivering her news.
“Embezzlement?” Sage asked.
“I interviewed with the FBI,” Lauren said. She popped a chip laden with guacamole into her mouth. “I was terrified, but ultimately exonerated.”
“Of course you were,” Bea said as if anything but Lauren’s complete innocence would be ludicrous.
“And she’s dating Blake,” Joy said. “She left that out.”
“I didn’t leave it out.” Lauren frowned at her. “I just hadn’t gotten to it yet.” She shook her head. “Why don’t you tell them about yourtwosuitors?”
“What?” Bessie practically screeched.
“Two suitors?” Cass asked. “Oh, this is the juiciest Supper Club we’ve had in a while.” She looked absolutely gleeful, and Lauren enjoyed the commotion around Joy’s boyfriends. Plural.
“You’re dating Blake?” Sage asked. “Like, you’ve been out with him already?”
“A few times,” Lauren said. “He kissed me before the harbor cruise last week.” She grinned around at all of her friends. “I might just pull a Bea and fall in love in a single summer.”
“I’m never going to live that down,” Bea said.
“You don’t need to,” Cass said. “What you and Grant have is wonderful. You didn’t need more time. Don’t listen to her.”
