Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
“Did you see the plot twist coming?” Savannah asks as she leans forward with wide eyes. I love being a member of this book club, and not only because of the books that we read, but also because of the incredible women that are a part of it.
The book club originally started when Vivian and Savannah gathered a group of their friends who all like to read. Originally, the members were the sisters, Vivian’s good friends, Willa and Lauren, and Savannah’s next-door neighbor Stacy.
It’s fifty percent talk about books, and fifty percent talk about life. Along the way, they’ve added a few strays, including myself. I joined the month before Pippa, Savannah’s now-sister-in-law, and Sophia joined a few months later.
I’m not sure what Sophia does exactly, just that she’s on Liam’s team, and I accept the ambiguity.
She’s also amazing, so it’s easy to overlook the details. And I know if Liam vouches for her, then I could trust her with my life.
“Of course, I did. I never trusted the neighbor. She was too nice.” Stacy rolls her eyes.
“I mean, you can accuse me of being amazing, but no one is going to say I’m too nice.
” We all laugh at that because she isn’t wrong.
Savannah’s next-door neighbor is a unique individual, but underneath the incredibly dry sense of humor, is the heart of a woman who loves her people to the best of her ability.
She also has no filter, which is incredibly entertaining.
“You never trust anyone,” Lauren chimes in between laughing. “Seriously, who hurt you, Stacy?”
“Life, sweet little lamb, life.” Stacy picks up her drink in a mock cheers, then breaks out laughing. “But seriously, I think you are all too naive. I get that I’m a few decades older but come on. You didn’t think the neighbor was fishy?”
“She baked them cookies!” Lauren shrieks. “Who bakes someone cookies if they’re going to hurt them?”
“Obviously, someone who is trying to create an alibi,” Pippa adds, and as the attorney of our group, she knows a thing or two about alibis.
“You never believe who someone is initially. People are too nuanced.” Sophia scowls at Lauren. “And now, I’m very worried about your level of self-preservation. Do you have a security system?”
“I live in Forrest Falls! I’m fine! I lock my door … usually.”
“Lauren! Even my child knows to lock our door! That’s basic safety, girl.” Willa chides her friend with her eyes wide in shock. “You’re a beautiful, single woman who lives alone. You need to protect yourself.”
“Well, I think you should have more than that, especially in this day and age,” Sophia responds before looking at Savannah and her face paling.
“I think we should get back to the book, maybe?” I suggest, trying to guide the topic from personal safety and back to safer topics.
“I see what you’re doing, Harlow, but I’m okay. I’m just proof that you can have the best system and things can still happen.” Savannah shrugs. “But I will always have a security system, and you should, too.”
Stacy points at Lauren. “And maybe don’t accept baked goods from strangers.”
“But what if he’s handsome, and it’s finally my turn for an HEA?” she pleads.
Sophia shakes her head. “Nope, you call me first and let me run a background check.”
Lauren raises her eyebrows. “And if it’s clear?”
“Well, if it’s clear, then obviously you swoon, jump the man, and haul his ass to your bed.” Sophia keeps a straight face for all of two seconds at Lauren’s shocked expression before she breaks into a fit of laughter.
“Nah, let him haul you. The fireman’s carry is always a personal fan favorite of mine.” The words are out before I even know what is happening. I clamp a hand over my mouth as my face reddens in shock.
Vivian and Savannah squeal with disgust about boundaries, and the rest of the table dissolves into giggles.
Tonight might be more like eighty percent life and twenty percent book discussion, but it is one hundred percent joy.
And I’m so grateful to be a part of it.