Page 55 of Happily Ever After

She liked this version of herself—the one who could enjoy success without gripping it too tightly. In the old days, she’d always been so worried about who might be watching her, what she was eating, if she was engaging enough, if she was coming off as smart enough or funny enough or sophisticated enough.

Now, none of that mattered. She was who she was. People could either like her or not. She had a strong group of friends back home. She had Brick, Beau, and her son, even if she and Evan didn’t always see eye to eye on things. Life was good, despite everything else that had happened to her.

At one point, she leaned back in her chair and let herself take it in: the glow of candlelight, the clink of silverware, the low rhythm of voices around the table. It was heady and satisfying.

She found herself thinking of Beau and how she couldn’t wait to see him. And Brick. His quiet steadiness had become a safe place for her. And, of course, the Queen Bees. Even their group text thread was filled with updates and opinions and affection for each other.

Blaise took another sip of champagne and smiled to herself.

This had been a good day. An exciting one.

But while she loved doing it, loved the income it had brought her, it wasn’t the only place she belonged. It wasn’t where her heart was.

When the meal wound down and the conversation tapered off, Blaise felt content and ready. Ready to go home. Ready to tell her people about everything that had happened.

But also ready to get back to being Blaise Monroe, resident of the Colony. And while it wasn’t glamorous, it was hers. A community that she belonged to.

There was nothing wrong with a simple life. Dress-up was fun, but it was also fantasy. And after all these years, she realized, she liked reality better.

Oh, she’d take more work if she could get it. The money mattered. But in the old days, her head had always been in the clouds. Now? Her feet were firmly planted.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Cece inhaled as the smell of the steaks cooking drifted across the back porch, rich and familiar, the faint hiss of fat hitting hot metal punctuating the quiet. Joe stood a few feet away at the grill, tongs in hand, focused in the way he always was when he cooked. Like it was his only job to get those steaks perfect.

She smiled at him from where she sat at the small patio table, a glass of iced tea sweating beside her, ankles crossed and her legs stretched out before her. She watched him for a moment, the easy grace of his movements, the way he checked the steaks with such seriousness. In the light of the setting sun, he looked like the Six Million Dollar Man, as handsome and charming as any movie star that had ever graced the screen, big or small..

It should have been enough to anchor her. Mostly, it was.

But her thoughts kept slipping sideways. To Darcy. And to everything Paige had learned after visiting the administration office.

Cece watched as the scene at the fitness center replayed itself in her head. Darcy’s voice ringing in her ears. The gall to come at them like that with such calm certainty. The way she’d threatened them, despite being vague. It was just so…uncivilized. So petty.

So high school.

Her searches today hadn’t amounted to anything new. Well, except for another article about Darcy teaching yoga, but that wasn’t anything useful. She hoped Maude was doing better. Or would do better, once she got home from the hospital and was able to get started.

Cece sighed. She hadn’t told Joe the details yet. She wasn’t sure how to explain it without making it sound like more than it was. Or, worse, less. Not that she thought he’d belittle the situation. Not for a second.

But this felt like something the Queen Bees ought to be able to handle.

The thing was, book club was just women gathering, talking about books and life and whatever else came up. Creating a support system for each other. Becoming friends.

The idea that something like that, something so wholesome and good, could be challenged, redefined, or threatened by someone with an agenda sat very wrong with her. No one should have that kind of power.

Then again, no one should behave like Darcy in the first place.

Joe turned, catching her watching him. “You seem like you’re a million miles away,” he said mildly.

Cece smiled, although she knew it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Sorry. I’m here. Mostly. Just thinking.”

“Natalie’s doing fine, if that’s what’s on your mind.”

“It’s not that. I know she’s in good hands. And it’s nothing about my health either.”

“Okay.” He nodded, accepting that answer for now. “Steaks will be ready in a few more minutes.”

She shifted in her chair and took a sip of tea. The ice clinked softly against the glass. Around them, the evening drifted closer with the hum of insects, a breeze stirring the palms at the edge of the yard, the faint scent of someone’s plumeria, and streaks of coral taking over the sky.