Reva leaned back in her chair. “Spoken like a woman who has found her man. How is Nick these days?”
Charlie Grace’s face softened. “Nick is incredible. Every moment with him fills me with joy, something I hadn’t dared dream of finding. And yet, here he is, surpassing every expectation, every hope. I never imagined someone like him could exist.” Her smile turned sly, a playful glint in her eye hinting at unspoken secrets before her intense gaze locked onto Reva’s. “That's precisely my point. Love has a way of surprising you, of sweeping into your life when you least anticipate it and turning everything upside down. Keep your heart open, Reva. You never know when love might find you.”
Reva absorbed her words, allowing the notion to infiltrate the recesses of her mind, contemplating the implications.
Was she open to love again?
The idea was almost too vast to embrace. Her life was a whirlwind of tasks—renovating her flooded office, leading a significant community center initiative, and caring for a young boy who had lost his family, all while managing her usual hectic schedule. People needed her. The thought of embarking on a new relationship was daunting.
Besides,new relationships were scary. You had to relinquish control and place trust and faith in someone else. Two things she ran short on.
What did it say that the only true love she’d ever experienced ended with him walking away, choosing his career over her? And the ease with which Merritt moved on, building a life and family with Hillary instead of her, raised questions she dared not voice, even to her closest friends who thought they knew her inside out.
These were the hidden depths of her soul, burdens she bore silently.
“Well, it should make you all happy to know we’re seeing each other again this coming week. He texted after we met for coffee and arranged for us to go on a hike with a picnic.”
The news prompted a chorus of approval.
“That’s wonderful,” Charlie Grace said.
Capri pumped her arm in the air. “Yes!”
Lila stood and pulled her into a tight hug. “This makes me so happy.”
Reva laughed. “Glad you all approve.” She waved her hands. “Now, enough of me and my love life.” She turned to Capri. “How’s Dick? I didn’t see him at the AA meeting last week.”
Capri’s expression turned sober. “Frankly, the chemo is hitting him pretty hard. He’s having a hard time eating, and he’s losing weight. Yet the doctor assures us this is all to be expected and that he remains extremely hopeful the treatments will be successful.”
“Ah, the cancer journey is never an easy one,” Reva replied. “How’s your mom?”
Capri sighed. “She watches a lot of QVC. She buys things she doesn’t need and puts them on easy pay—then I secretly go into her account and pay off her purchases.”
“You’re a good daughter,” Charlie Grace said before taking a sip of her martini.
Capri turned her attention towards Lila. “And you? Have you come to a decision about Camille and the prom? Is she still banned from attending?”
Lila leaned against the kitchen counter. She crossed her arms and let out a deep sigh. “I caved,” she admitted.
This elicited a round of light laughter from the women gathered around the kitchen island.
“Of course, you did,” Charlie Grace said, grinning.
“Don’t get too carried away with your laughter, Ms. Rivers,” Lila cautioned. “Your time will come soon enough.”
“Thankfully, that’s still a bit down the road for me,” Charlie Grace responded, grabbing a napkin. “Right now, Jewel is focused on this new baby coming. She is completely captured by the idea of a little sister.”
“Did they find out it’s a girl?” Reva asked, curious.
Shaking her head, Charlie Grace clarified, “No, the gender’s still a mystery. Lizzy’s planning a grand reveal—balloons showering colored confetti. Blue for a boy, pink for a girl.”
Capri raised an eyebrow. “How inventive,” she remarked dryly. “Though I must admit, those reveal parties flood my TikTok feed. They’re quite the rage.”
“Well, Lizzy is all about the party aspect of life. God help that little one she has on the way because both my ex and his new wife could use some growing up.” Charlie Grace downed her drink. “I’m just saying.”
25
Reva slowed her Escalade at the junction of JD Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway and Grassy Lake Road, turning toward where she’d agreed to meet Kellen.
