Page 12 of Happily Ever After

Maude sighed. “I don’t think you’re entirely wrong. I don’t love Gigi, but she definitely doesn’t give off Darcy’s I-want-to-rule-the-world vibes.”

“No. I doubt Gigi realizes what a bad egg Darcy is,” Essie said. “Or how quickly that kind of friendship can become a one-way street.”

“I think it already has.” Maude tilted her head. “Could also be that Gigi is willfully blind to what’s happening.”

“Maybe,” Essie said. “But I don’t think she’s malicious. Just…eager. And desperately in need of being liked.”

Maude thought about that. About the way Gigi watched Darcy whenever they were together, like she was waiting for a scrap of acknowledgement. “I don’t disagree.”

The server passed by again, dropping off extra napkins and topping up their waters. Maude waited until she was out of earshot before speaking.

“What if we talked to the Queen Bees about bringing her into the book club?” she asked. “Gigi, I mean. Not Darcy. Obviously.”

Essie looked surprised. “You think that’s a good idea?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Maude said. “But if Darcy’s influence is the problem, then maybe removing Gigi from that and telling her what’s really going on might help. Also, Gigi might chill out if she doesn’t feel like she has to prove something. And Darcy would have to find someone else to help her do her dirty work.”

Essie considered that, eyes on the table. “It would have to be done the right way.”

“Of course,” Maude said. “We’d have to talk to her. And not make it feel like we’re doing it just because we can’t stand Darcy. At least not a first.”

Essie smiled faintly. “She might bolt if we did that and that could make things worse.”

“Exactly.” Maude took another sip of water. “We’d just include her in the book club and see what happens. How she behaves.”

Essie nodded slowly. “That would be kinder than leaving her to Darcy’s mercy.”

Milo shifted and stretched, then lay back down with a grunt. Maple stayed close to Essie’s chair, watching everything, taking it all in.

Essie glanced down at her, then back at Maude. “Let’s talk to the others,” she said. “See what they think. It’s got to be a group decision.”

Maude smiled. “I agree. Paige might shut the idea down immediately, but at the same time, I know she believes in second chances.”

“She’s living proof they can happen,” Essie said. “Maybe there’s hope for Gigi after all.”

Their lunch arrived a moment later and Maude’s stomach rumbled in approval. The conversation drifted to lighter things, but Maude felt better having said what was on her mind out loud.

It also made her think that, sometimes, the right move wasn’t confrontation.

Sometimes it was an invitation.

Chapter Six

Graham’s kitchen smelled like garlic and meat and something warm that made Paige think of her mother’s Sunday dinners. It was a lovely aroma.

But then, he was a lovely man, so it was no surprise that he was adept in the kitchen.

She smiled and sipped the glass of sparkling water he’d given her. The air-conditioning was on, but the room still held a little heat from the oven, the door cracked to let it cool down.

She sat at the breakfast bar with her purse on the stool beside her and her phone face-down on the counter. She’d kicked off her sandals and propped her feet on the rung of the stool, comfortable in a way she rarely felt anywhere but her own house.

Graham had that effect on her. Being with him just felt that right. Maybe because she was falling for him in a way she hadn’t expected. Was it love? She wasn’t ready to speak that word out loud, but it was definitely something important.

He moved between the stove and the counter without hurry. A pork loin rested on a cutting board, browned and flecked with herbs on the outside. He’d already peeled the potatoes and had them boiling, and a small pot of peas sat on the back burner, lid slightly tilted.

It was all simple and ordinary but exceptionally well done, which was one of the things she liked most about being around him. It was a fantastic way to live life and he seemed to understand that so well.

“So,” Graham said, glancing over his shoulder. “Do you think I’m officially over the hill if I spent half my day looking at cars and the other half researching them?”