Page 99 of Between the Lines

Not that she’d ever admit that to him.

Chapter Forty-One

By late afternoon on Thursday, Paige’s house had taken on that familiar hum of anticipation that she loved so much. It was the kind that came from knowing her friends were about to fill the space with voices and opinions and laughter.

Book club night. Queen Bees night. She didn’t think it would ever get old. She hoped it didn’t.

Paige moved through the house with purpose. The coffee table had been set with coasters and a stack of small napkins, just so they’d be handy. A bottle of wine breathed on the counter beside a bowl of good olives and another of roasted almonds with salt and rosemary. A pair of vanilla and jasmine candles were lit, just for a touch of soft atmosphere and fragrance.

She wanted the house to feel like the kind of place where people felt welcome to sit down and stay awhile.

She checked her phone, more out of habit than anything else. There were new comments on the day’s posts, but nothing she needed to deal with immediately. Nothing more from Darcy and no texts from any of the Queen Bees, either.

That was good. That meant they were all still coming.

Outside, the early evening light slanted across the street, the sky already starting its slow drift toward dusk. Paige adjusted one of the throw pillows on the couch and stared in the direction of the Community Hall. Where Darcy’s meeting was also about to happen.

Before she could think about that too much, the doorbell rang.

Paige opened the door to find Blaise standing there with a tote bag slung over one shoulder and a familiar, bright expression on her face. She was energized in a way Paige recognized. Paige couldn’t wait to find out more.

“Please tell me you brought those amazing brownies again,” Paige said.

Blaise laughed as she stepped inside. “I did.”

They hugged, then Blaise went into the kitchen to add the brownies to the spread on the counter. She looked happy to be here, which mirrored exactly how Paige was feeling.

The doorbell rang again just minutes after Paige had closed the door.

Maude stood there, carrying a bag of ice, a tub of grapes, and wearing her usual observant expression that held just a hint of a smile. It was as if she’d already figured out how valuable her ever-present sense of humor was to this gathering.

“Hi,” Maude said. “Smells good in here. What is that?”

“Vanilla and jasmine candles,” Paige said, taking the ice. “Now come in before I put you to work.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Maude replied. “As long as it doesn’t involve doing dishes.”

“Not yet,” Blaise called out, giving Maude a wave.

Behind Maude came Essie, a little flushed from the walk over, her smile soft and genuine. Paige noticed immediately how relaxed she looked. Lighter somehow. It was a real testament to her strength of spirit that she could remain calm, even with everything that had been happening in her life lately.

“You look happy,” Paige said as she hugged her.

Essie’s smile deepened. “I am. Maple has been a blessing.”

“She’s such a beauty. I can’t wait to meet her in person,” Paige said.

Then Cece arrived with a meat and cheese tray. She greeted Paige with a one-armed hug. “Did you get those interview questions I sent?”

“I did and they’re great. I have a few suggestions that I’ll send you tomorrow.”

Cece nodded. “Sounds good.”

Althea followed, surveying the spread with approval. “You’ve all outdone yourselves. I should have brought something, but I was feeling lazy.”

“We have plenty,” Paige told her.

Everyone started filling plates and getting drinks. Soon the house held that familiar blend of sounds. Overlapping conversations, laughter, the clink of glasses. Paige had some light jazz going but she’d turned the volume down quite a bit. They all settled into their usual spots, which had become their own without ever having agreed on them.