Page 30 of Happily Ever After

“You’re modeling?”

She heard the disbelief laced with the edge of something else she didn’t have the energy to name.

“Yes. It’s a photoshoot,” she informed him. “For a designer who reached out after he heard me on the podcast. I said yes because I wanted to. And no, it’s not a scam. He’s legit.”

“You didn’t think to tell me?”

Indignation straightened Blaise’s spine. “I didn’t think I needed permission. In fact, I know I don’t.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“That’s how it sounds.”

She heard him shift, probably pacing. He always did that when he was worked up.

“Miami is far,” he said.

“It’s in the same state.”

“But modeling— It’s not exactly⁠—”

“What?” Blaise finished. “Appropriate for my age?”

“That’s not what I was going to say.”

“But it’s what you were thinking.”

Blaise let the silence stretch out while she chose her words.

“You should be happy for me,” she said finally. “I am. I’m excited about it. Excited someone still thinks I’m worth pointing a camera at. Even more excited to make some money again. And I’m capable of deciding what I take on and where I go.”

“I just…worry,” Evan said.

“I know,” she replied, softening her tone. “But worry doesn’t get to run my life. Not anymore.”

Another beat passed.

“Okay,” he said, quieter now. “I just wanted to hear it from you.”

“You have,” Blaise said. “And for the record, if you want to know what’s going on in my life, ask.” She looked at Brick, wondering what Evan would think of him. “Don’t rely on alerts.”

“I’ll turn them off,” he said.

“Please do.”

Beau barked at another pelican soaring overhead and ignoring him.

“Was that Beau?”

“Yes,” Blaise answered. “He’s currently obsessed with pelicans.”

“Well, it’s good to have interests.”

They said goodbye without drama. When the call ended, Blaise lowered the phone and stayed where she was, watching the last edge of sun slip below the horizon.

Brick came up beside her. “It’s only because he cares.”

“I know.”