Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Idon’t want to toot my own horn, but these are good.
” Maude turned the laptop so Blaise could see the photos she’d just uploaded from her phone.
They were both on the couch, the laptop on the coffee table.
They’d been at this for a few hours. “Of course, you get final say, but I definitely have a few favorites.”
Blaise leaned in to see them better. “What do I do? Just tap the mouse pad?”
“Tap that little arrow,” Maude said.
The first image popped up, filling the screen. It was Blaise standing where the water kissed the shore, her sundress fluttering in the breeze, gold earrings catching the sunlight like tiny stars.
Blaise inhaled slowly. “That one…looks like someone I used to know.”
“Someone impressive,” Maude said with a grin. “Someone who knows exactly what the camera loves. No wonder you did so well as a model. You’re super photogenic. You literally don’t take a bad shot.”
“You’re very kind,” Blaise said. “But trust me, I’m as capable of ugly as anyone else you know.”
“Doubt it,” Maude said.
They scrolled through more photos. Blaise laughing at something Maude said behind the camera, Blaise hands on hips with confidence carved into every line of her posture, Blaise looking far out to sea with a soft expression that was simultaneously wistful, sad, and full of hope.
“Oh,” Blaise whispered at the next one. It was another coral sundress shot, her hair loose and eyes bright and staring straight into the lens. “That one might be my favorite.”
“It’s one of mine, too. It’s really honest. I mean, the fine lines around your eyes are visible but they give you this credibility that just says so much, don’t you think?”
Blaise laughed. “Maybe I should hire you to do my PR.”
Maude snorted. “I just call ’em like I see ’em.” She made a mental note. “Then that one goes in the ‘definitely yes’ folder.”
“What would I do without you?” Blaise asked in a voice that held some teasing, but a whole lot of appreciation.
“You’d still be stunning,” Maude replied with a sly look. “Just a lot less searchable.”
Blaise laughed and Maude enjoyed the sound. She liked seeing her friend happy, liked knowing that she’d helped.
They were down to the final batch of pics when Maude’s phone chimed on the end table. She reached for it without thinking—expecting a meme from Paige or more group chat chaos.
Instead, the message on the screen made her stomach dip. It was from Robbie, her brother. The text was short: Can we talk? Call me when you can.
Just reading them, she felt the weight of their history crammed into those two short sentences. She knew exactly what the message meant. He needed something. That seemed like the only reason he reached out to her these days.
Blaise tipped her head, eyes narrowed. “Everything okay?”
Maude swallowed, pressing the phone face-down against her thigh. “My brother. We’ve been a little out of sync since I moved here.”
Blaise nodded in quiet understanding. “Sibling dynamics can be complicated. I have a younger sister who’s had to live in my shadow, so I get it. Sadly, we pretty much live separate lives. Is that sort of the case here? I could see it. You are a pretty amazing person. Lot to live up to.”
“Thanks.” Maude gave a shake of her head. “I don’t know what it is exactly, but he’s been kinda short with me and somewhat cranky since I made this move. I guess that’s a polite way of saying he thinks my life looks too perfect now.”
She kept her tone light, but her heart ached at the truth.
“I hate to say he’s jealous, but that’s what it feels like.
I’ve tried to help him, tried to get him to make better choices.
He just doesn’t see all the work I’ve put in.
How I’ve saved and lived on a budget. I’m not rich by any means, but I’ve eked out my little corner of the world here and I’m comfortable. ”
Blaise rested her hand on Maude’s arm, a gesture that felt warm and sisterly. “Call him when you’re ready. Not before.”
Maude did a quick yoga breath to center herself. “Yeah. I will.” She looked back at the laptop. “Let’s finish making you famous first.”
“It won’t take me long to pick out the ones I like. I have to go soon anyway. Brick and I are having dinner.” Blaise smiled. She told Maude briefly about what had happened with Brick’s son.
Maude made a face. “I’d say dinner is the least he can do.”
“Brick’s a good guy. It’s not his fault his son got some strange ideas about me.” Blaise refocused on the laptop.
“No, definitely not his fault,” Maude said. She wondered if he knew how lucky he was to have a woman like Blaise defending him.
Blaise chose her top favorites, six strong shots that made her look like the confident, modern icon she truly was. Maude saved them to a folder and promised to add them to the website.
Blaise hugged her goodbye, thanking her again before heading off to get ready for dinner with Brick like it was no big deal, although the sparkle in her eyes gave her away.
When the door closed behind her, Maude exhaled. That had gone really well. The website was going to be one of the best. She couldn’t wait to get started on it, but she had something else to take care of first.
Maude stared at her phone, thinking about Robbie’s message. She didn’t really know what to expect from him, but she doubted it would be good. She chewed her lip, then tapped the screen to call him before she could talk herself out of it.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey, Maudie.”
She didn’t like anyone but Ollie calling her that, but Robbie’s voice sounded tired and strained. He was trying to sound upbeat and failing.
“Hey, Robbo,” she said gently. “Rough day?”
She swore she could hear him swallow. Then came a shaky exhale. “Rough month. Maybe rough year.”
Maude straightened, instincts sharpening. She’d been right. But that didn’t stop her from caring about her brother. “What’s going on?”
“It’s just…everything,” he said. “Work’s dried up, couldn’t make rent again. And I’m—” He cut himself off with an exhale. “I hate feeling stuck.”
Maude closed her eyes. Not again.
“I was wondering…” Robbie continued, hesitation lacing every word, “If I could maybe come stay with you for a bit? Just until I get back on my feet. I kinda want to see what life’s like in your neck of the woods.”
Her pulse stuttered. She loved him fiercely. But Robbie was a storm in human form. When he arrived, chaos often followed. He just seemed to create it.
“Why not stay with Mom and Dad?” she asked carefully. “They’d let you crash there. You wouldn’t even have to ask. And life in the Keys might really suit you.”
He laughed but it was short and bitter. “Ma? Dad? You know how they are. Every conversation turns into them reminding me of how well you turned out. ‘Your sister’s got her own business, Maude’s so organized, Maude’s making a life for herself…
’” His voice petered out. “I can’t handle that level of disappointment right now. ”
“Oh, Robbie…” Maude’s chest ached at the familiar refrain.
“So?” he asked. In that one word she heard hope and fear. “Can I come? Just for a while?”
Maude paced to the window where a thin sliver of the Gulf shimmered through the palms. She pressed her hand to her forehead. This was not a good idea. She knew that. But how did she tell her baby brother no?
“I don’t want to be a burden,” he said quickly. “I just…don’t know where else to go. I need a break. I need things to be…different.”
And there it was, the guilt icing on top of the familial duty cupcake.
Maude swallowed, choosing each word with care.
“Of course you can stay with me. But we’re going to do this the right way.
There are going to be boundaries. And house rules.
This is a tiny house. ‘Tiny’ being the operative word.
You’re not going to like it but if you make one complaint, I will change the locks. Deal?”
Robbie’s relief was palpable, crackling through the phone. “Deal. Absolutely. Thank you, Maudie. You’re saving my life.”
Maude forced a small smile. “Let’s not be dramatic.”
“I won’t be any trouble, I swear. You won’t even know I’m there.”
“Let’s not pretend like that’s even possible. Listen, there’s something else you should know,” she said. “I’ve reconnected with Ollie.”
Robbie paused. “Ollie? Ollie from high school? As in the guy you dated back when I still thought the Ninja Turtles were real?”
Maude let out a breathy laugh. “Yes, that Ollie. And we’re seeing each other again.” Her voice warmed despite herself. “It’s early, but it’s good. Really good. And I’m not letting anything—or anyone—derail it.”
Robbie was quiet a beat too long, and Maude felt herself tense. Finally, he said, “Maudie, I would never—”
She cut in gently but decisively. “Robbie, I love you, and I want to help you. But if there’s any drama, or if you try to push him away because you’re feeling insecure or protective of me, you’ll be taking a long walk off a short pier. Got it?”
There was a brief silence, then Robbie exhaled like he was surrendering. “I got it. I promise. I’ll be on my best behavior. No sabotage. No jokes.”
Maude closed her eyes, relief coursing through her. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
“Hey,” Robbie said, voice lighter now. “I want you happy. Even if your taste in men is aggressively old school.”
Maude rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “When do you think you’ll get here?”
“Tuesday night sometime, if that’s okay?”
“That’s fine. I’ll see you then.” She wasn’t sure it would be fine, but he was family. Her only sibling. What else was she supposed to do?
When they hung up, Maude stared at her reflection in the darkened laptop screen. Her tidy, carefully built new life was about to be tested by Hurricane Robbie.
She looked at Pixel, swimming happily in his tank. “If I end up regretting this, you are not allowed to say I told you so.”