Page 28 of Between the Lines

He slid into the booth across from her, setting down two menus even though they both already knew what they were going to order.

“You’re sure you don’t want to try something new?” he asked.

“I tried something new once,” Paige said. “I spent the rest of the meal thinking my usual was better.”

He gave a nod and tried to hide his smile. “Fair enough.”

They’d just ordered—fish and chips for him, shepherd’s pie for her—when Paige’s phone buzzed against the table. She glanced down without much thought.

A new message to the Queen Bees text group from Maude. Just ran into Gigi on the beach. She was walking with Darcy Lane.

Something inside Paige went cold. She didn’t answer right away, just stared at the screen, trying to decide what this might mean and how to reply.

Graham noticed. “Something wrong?”

“Maybe. Yes. I don’t know,” Paige said. She turned the phone so he could see the message. “That’s the woman I told you about. From the fitness center. Darcy Lane.”

“The one who confronted you,” he said. “And may have threatened you.”

“Yes.” Her phone buzzed again.

This time a text from Blaise. Who’s Darcy Lane?

That was followed quickly by one from Essie. Is that someone we should know?

And then Althea. I don’t know her, but that name makes my neck itch.

Paige snorted and started typing. Quick version. I ran into Darcy Lane at the fitness center earlier this week. She was friendly at first, then crossed a line. She implied she knows the true reason my marriage actually ended. She didn’t say it outright, but it was clear she knew. It felt intentional.

She added another message before the questions piled up. I didn’t want to make it a thing without more information. Maude’s been digging online. Cece reached out to her for a Buzz interview to see what she’ll say.

There was a pause in the thread, as if the women were gathering their thoughts and digesting. Then Blaise responded. Her doing that is not okay.

Essie came in right after her. No. It really isn’t. I’m sorry that happened to you.

Althea added her thoughts. Sounds to me like she’s trying to get some kind of leverage over you and that’s downright dirty.

Paige nodded at her phone. Leave it to Althea to get right to the heart of the matter.

Graham reached across the table and rested his hand over Paige’s. “Are you all right? How are you feeling?” he asked quietly.

“I don’t love Darcy teaming up with Gigi, but I don’t think either of them really want to hurt me,” Paige said. “I think Darcy is looking for some kind of control. Or access. Or both.”

“And Gigi?” he asked.

Paige glanced at Maude’s message again. “Gigi wants to be included, she’s already made that clear. Regardless, it’s not a great combination.”

Her phone buzzed again.

Another text from Maude. For what it’s worth, they definitely seemed friendly with each other. Although Gigi seemed to be doing most of the talking. Darcy got interested in me as soon as Gigi said my name.

Paige typed back. I appreciate you telling me. I suppose Darcy knows all about the book club then.

Maude sent another reply. I’d think so. She knew about my job, which means she probably knows who Cece is.

Cece finally chimed in with, No response from her on the interview yet. Sorry, just catching up.

With a sigh, Paige set the phone down and looked at Graham. “I didn’t tell the others right away because I didn’t want to stir things up.”