Page 99 of Happily Ever After

Her timing couldn’t be more perfect. With everything going on with Darcy and the book club, now was the right time for a palate cleanser like this. At least for Cece. But it would be something for the curious listener, too. Someone who wanted their mind expanded and their soul filled with wonder again.

Cece reread the opening question she’d drafted: You spent decades studying space professionally, and you’re still doing it in your spare time. What keeps pulling you back to the sky?

She made a small adjustment, softening the phrasing. She didn’t want to sound like she was interviewing someone for a job. She wanted to spark a conversation. Getting people to talk without having to prompt them with questions often led to some interesting stories.

Peanut moved to the couch and resumed standard cat-loaf position. As if Cece’s lack of interest in her was more than she could bear.

“I know,” Cece said. “It’s not about you and that’s just the worst.”

Peanut yawned.

Cece glanced at her phone out of habit. She went back to the Queen Bees thread. Paige’s message from earlier still sat at the top.

Final count: 2,383 signatures. I’m taking them to the Colony office as soon as it opens. Also—reminder that book club is tonight. Gigi will be here. But don’t worry, we’ll be able to talk about what we accomplished. I have a plan…

Cece felt the familiar mix of pride and awe in her chest. They’d done something extraordinary by doing something ordinary. They’d talked to people, listened to them, and in exchange asked for their support. And it had worked.

She still had no clue what plan Paige was talking about, but she’d probably tell them tonight. Cece set her phone down and went back to her notes.

Marlene Reyes had discovered something in the sky. It wasn’t a comet or a star. Nothing that could be easily named or explained. The way Marlene had described it in her email was so interesting.

A repeating anomaly, she’d written. Not visible to the naked eye. Not behaving according to current models. Not dangerous as far as I can tell, but persistent.

Cece wrote and underlined persistent on her pad.

That was the hook. Because to be honest, it sounded like Marlene was talking about the possibility of something alien. If that didn’t bring new listeners in, nothing would.

She had just finished doodling a Martian in the margin when her phone rang. Cece frowned when she saw the number and answered immediately. “Hello?”

“Cece Davenport?” a woman asked.

“Yes.”

“This is Sheila from Dr. Renner’s office. I’m calling with your bloodwork results.”

Cece braced one hand against the arm of the sofa, barely aware she was doing it. “Okay.”

There was a pause just long enough to make her heart thump once, hard.

“Everything looks good,” Sheila said. “Your numbers are all within normal range. Dr. Renner reviewed them personally and is very pleased. At this point, we’re confident you’re in the clear.”

Cece closed her eyes.

“Oh,” she said, her voice softer than she’d intended. “That’s…that’s wonderful.”

“We’ll need to continue routine monitoring,” Sheila added. “But there’s nothing here that concerns Dr. Renner.”

“Thank you,” Cece said. “Thank you so much.”

When the call ended, Cece stayed very still, her phone in her hand, the room suddenly brighter, as if someone had adjusted the focus on the day.

In the clear had to be some of the best words in the English language.

She put her phone down and covered her face with her hands in disbelief, letting herself have a moment. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been bracing for bad news. How on a subconscious level, every plan, every future-oriented thought, had been quietly followed by but if.

Now there was no but if.

She exhaled, smiling, and opened her messages. Natalie first. Just got my bloodwork results. Everything looks good. I’m in the clear!.