Page 102 of Between the Lines

“It wasn’t,” Maude said. “But it had to happen.” She took a sip of her wine, then added, “Ollie and I are good, but there was a slight blip this week. His teenage son showed up and is now living with Ollie. Couldn’t take it with his mother anymore. He’s furious at her for the lying and cheating.”

Cece snorted. “I can understand that.”

“Divorce is hard,” Essie said, her eyes full of sympathy.

Maude nodded. “It is. But Ollie’s a good dad. Nolan will be with him through the summer until he heads off to college in the fall.”

“How are you doing with Nolan being around?” Paige asked.

Maude lifted her glass to take a sip. “I’ll admit it’s an adjustment, but I’m looking at it as a chance to get to know Nolan.”

“That’s all you really can do,” Blaise said.

Paige waited until the conversation lulled, then turned to Cece. “All right,” she said. “Your turn.”

Cece smiled and wrapped both hands around her mug of coffee. “As you know, the podcast is officially live, which still feels strange to say out loud. The first episode is doing solidly. Nothing crazy, but people are listening.”

Blaise laughed. “I’m proof of that.”

“You’re the reason for that,” Cece said, still smiling. “Joe’s episode is finished and scheduled, and I’ve got a few more guests lined up that I’m really excited about. Including Paige.”

“That’ll be a good one,” Althea said. “How are you otherwise?”

“Health-wise,” Cece said. “I’m okay. Still waiting on more information, but the first procedure went smoothly.” She shrugged lightly. “I’m taking that as a win.”

Essie reached over and squeezed her hand. “It is.”

“Thanks. I also finally got The Buzz interview with Darcy edited,” Cece continued. “I haven’t sent it in to be published just yet. I can’t really explain why, but I think you all get it.”

Every head nodded.

Cece opened her mouth like she was about to say something else, then stopped as her phone buzzed on the cushion beside her. She glanced down and her expression shifted almost immediately.

Maude frowned. “What is it?”

Cece picked up the phone and read the message. “It’s from my contact at the Community Hall,” she said. “She sat in on Darcy’s meeting tonight. Partly because I asked her to, and partly because she’s not so keen on Darcy either.”

“Well?” Paige asked, her heart in her throat.

Cece exhaled. “It seems Darcy isn’t just after a social group,” she said. “She presented it to those in attendance as an advocacy group. She said she’s been reviewing Colony governance documents and bylaws since she moved in.”

Blaise made a face. “What? Why?”

“Because,” Cece said carefully, her jaw set. “She believes there’s language in the bylaws that could be interpreted as prohibiting private clubs that meet regularly and aren’t open to all residents.”

The words settled over them.

Essie frowned. “Private clubs?”

Cece nodded. “Her words. She specifically referenced ‘exclusive or members-only groups operating outside Colony oversight.’”

“The nerve,” Maude muttered.

Paige felt her stomach drop. She touched the gold and diamond bee pendant she’d put on especially for tonight. “She’s talking about us.”

“Yes,” Cece said quietly. “My contact said Darcy didn’t name the Queen Bees directly, but she made a point of saying she was ‘concerned about fairness’ and ‘unequal access for community residents.’”

Blaise let out a short, skeptical breath. “Right.”