Page 27 of Happily Ever After

They ordered without much discussion. Fish and chips for him, the grilled chicken salad for her, both of them saying yes to a round of iced tea. Graham filled her in on the rest of his afternoon, which had involved more thinking about cars, which he admitted probably wasn’t doing him any good. Paige listened, nodding, laughing at his story about a diplomat he’d once met who’d insisted he could drive a stick shift when he absolutely couldn’t.

It was exactly what she needed to take her mind off the fact that her deepest secret was about to be revealed. As much as she was okay with doing it, she found that she harbored a small amount of resentment toward Darcy.

After all, if Darcy had never shown up, none of this would be happening.

She felt her phone vibrate through her purse. She reached for it. “Just a second. Sorry, I’m waiting on word from Cece.”

“Go right ahead.”

She glanced at the screen and nodded as she read. Cece had texted the group. The interview is scheduled. It’ll be live at midnight.

She looked up at Graham as she put her phone away. “The new podcast episode will be live at midnight.”

He slid his hand over, so his fingers overlapped hers. “I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself.”

“Thank you.” With a smile, she reached for her glass. Something shifted at the edge of her vision. A familiar shape. Paige didn’t turn to look right away. She didn’t need to. She already knew. But a quick glance confirmed it.

Darcy Lane stood at the bar.

She had her back half-turned, one elbow resting on the counter, her head tilted toward the bartender, but there was another man at the bar facing her. Maybe buying her that drink. She wore a sleeveless top and skinny jeans, her posture relaxed, like she belonged there. Like this was just another Saturday night.

Maybe it was for her.

Paige felt her mood shift instantly. Darcy hadn’t seen her and it was possible she wouldn’t if she stayed at the bar. Paige loathed that the woman had the power to affect her, though. She really needed to get past that. Or rise above it. But who could blame her?

Paige took a sip of her drink and set it back down carefully, trying not to react further.

“You just disappeared there for a moment. What is it?” Graham asked.

“Darcy,” Paige said quietly, flicking her gaze in that direction.

He glanced toward the bar, then back at Paige. “I see. Do you want to leave?”

Paige considered that. An old instinct rose up in her. It would be easier to leave. But that’s not who she was anymore. Hadn’t been for a long time.

“No,” she said. “I don’t. I doubt she’ll start anything with you around anyway.”

Graham nodded, accepting it without question. “All right. Always happy to be your knight in shining armor.”

At that, she smiled and they went back to their conversation. Paige focused on the sound of his voice, the music playing in the background, and the way the servers laced their way through the tables with such ease, like some kind of choreographed dance.

Darcy didn’t turn around. Or if she did, Paige didn’t notice.

When their food arrived, Paige drizzled the lemon vinaigrette over her salad. The chicken was warm, the greens crisp, the veggies just right. She stole one of Graham’s chips and they talked about the possibility of sharing a dessert.

At some point, Darcy laughed. Paige heard the unmistakable sound but didn’t look.

She kept eating, focusing on Graham and the happiness that spending time with him gave her.

Could there be trouble on the horizon with Darcy? Yes.

Was Paige going to worry about that now? Most certainly not.

Chapter Twelve

Brick’s boat rocked gently as Blaise stepped aboard, Beau hopping down after her with more enthusiasm than coordination. One of his legs went out from under him, but he quickly recovered.

“Careful, boy,” Brick said, one hand steadying the dog, the other moving to untie the line. “He’s really looking forward to this, huh?”