Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Paige had been to the fitness center, where she had actually seen Gigi again but not had to interact with her, worked out, come home and showered, had breakfast, posted to TikTok, made three more videos to bank, and was now writing up a grocery list while she made a cup of tea.
In between checking her emails.
She set her phone face-down on the kitchen island and tried, again, to stop looking at her empty inbox. Luminelle would reply when they replied. No amount of staring at the screen was going to make an international cosmetics company move any faster.
Unfortunately.
The kettle clicked off behind her. She poured hot water over her tea bag, let the steam rise into her face, and told herself to focus on something she could control.
Which, unfortunately, brought her right back to Gigi DeLuca.
Gigi, with her bright prints and effusive charm. Gigi, who bulldozed her way into every situation like it was a networking opportunity. Gigi, who did not, in any way, shape or form, take hints.
The memory of last night at The Bee’s Knees replayed in Paige’s head.
The way Gigi had swept up to their table like they would unquestioningly welcome her.
The way she had spoken as though she were already part of the group.
Worst of all, the way she’d talked like she was already imagining taking it over. Her. Running Paige’s book club.
The absolute nerve.
Paige abandoned her grocery list, took her tea and phone into the living room, and settled onto the sofa to think.
She needed to be smart about this. She was too used to managing personalities online to let one newcomer rattle her.
But this personality wasn’t online. And she also didn’t want to create unnecessary conflict.
She needed advice. There was no question about who to call. She picked up her phone and tapped Graham’s name in her contact list.
He answered on the second ring. “Good morning, love,” he said, his voice warm and still a little husky with sleep. “Everything all right?”
“Yes and no.” Paige curled her legs beneath her. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“For you? I have bags of time.”
She smiled despite the subject matter. “It’s about Gigi.”
There was a pause, filled with the faint rustle of him shifting in bed or sitting up. “Ah. The glamorous and somewhat gaudy interloper.”
“That’s an apt description for her.”
Graham chuckled. “Go on, then. Tell me what she’s done now.”
Paige explained again about book club, then dinner at The Bee’s Knees.
She focused on the way Gigi had talked about “leading groups” as if she were auditioning for a position, despite the fact it hadn’t been offered to her.
Paige tried to keep her tone light, but it was impossible to stop her frustration from slipping through.
When she finished, Graham hummed thoughtfully. “Seems to me you’re dealing with a social climber,” he said. “Or at least someone who wants to climb. Sounds to me she believes your group is a ladder more than it is a circle.”
“I think that’s a pretty accurate take,” Paige admitted. She knew Graham would have some insight. You didn’t work at a foreign embassy without learning to read people. “So what do I do? How do I handle her?”
“The trick with people like that,” he continued, “is to set boundaries early but politely. You don’t want to push her away so hard she turns spiteful, but you also can’t let her think she’s running the show.”
Paige rubbed the bridge of her nose. “And how do you suggest I do that?”
“Well,” Graham said. “In the diplomatic service, we had a phrase: polite firmness. Something that sounds agreeable on the surface but leaves no doubt about your position.”
“Like what?”
“Like…” He thought for a moment. “If she starts making suggestions about book club, you could say, ‘That’s interesting but our group tends to keep things simple. We’re happy with the format as it is.’”
Paige thought about that. It was her group. Creating a boundary made sense. She could do that.
“What if she tries to insert herself again?” she asked. “Because I’m sure she will.”
“You treat her warmly,” Graham replied. “But you keep her at arm’s length. Don’t give her a foothold. And you certainly don’t let her think there’s a vacancy to fill.”
Paige laughed under her breath. “You make it sound like managing embassy guests.”
“Human dynamics are human dynamics, love. Doesn’t matter if it’s diplomats or retirees.”
The tension eased from her neck and shoulders. “Thank you. I needed this conversation.”
“I am always at your service,” he said softly. “And for the record? You’re far too accomplished to be overshadowed by someone like Gigi.”
Her cheeks warmed. “Are you flattering me?”
“I am telling you the truth,” he corrected. “Although flattery is also available upon request.”
Paige gave a little laugh and leaned back into the sofa cushions. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“I’ll expect a full report.”
She ended the call feeling better than she had all morning. Gigi was a problem—but not an unsolvable one. And now Paige had a plan. Not to mention, Graham in her corner.
Just the knowledge of that was enough to carry her through a whole day.
Paige stayed on the sofa long after the call ended, her tea cooling on the coffee table. Graham’s words replayed in her mind. Don’t give her a vacancy to fill. It gave Paige the kind of clarity she wished she’d had last night.
Because that was exactly what Gigi was circling around trying to find, like a shark looking for prey. She wanted an opening. A role. A little spot she could slide into under the guise of “helping.”
Paige wasn’t having it.
The book club worked because the women worked together.
Women whom Paige had carefully selected over the course of time.
It was about friendship and supporting one another, not structure and certainly not who was in charge.
The idea of Gigi swooping in with “themes” and “spotlights” made Paige’s stomach knot.
Just no. And it was time to do something about it. She took a sip of her cooled tea before reaching for her phone.
If Gigi thought she could waltz into book club on Thursday…well, then, maybe book club wouldn’t be on Thursday.
Paige told herself it wasn’t spite. It was self-preservation. And it was taking control of the schedule by removing the convenient entry point Gigi had already mapped out.
That was exactly what needed to happen. Paige typed a message out to the Queen Bees group chat: Would anyone mind if we moved book club from Thursday to Wednesday night this week? Let me know if that works for everyone.
She stared at the message for half a second, wondering if she should explain. But the Bees were smart. They’d probably figure it out. She hit Send.
Then she waited, heart thudding just enough to make her annoyed at herself. Why was this enough to raise her heart rate? She wasn’t scared of Gigi.
But she was scared of the mess Gigi might make of things. She was the kind of woman who liked to hear herself talk, even if no one was listening. But in this community, there would be plenty of ears.
Essie replied first. Wednesday works for me. It’s actually better. My daughter and her kids are coming to visit for a few days and they get here on Thursday!
That’s perfect then, Paige answered.
Cece chimed in next. Fine by me. Maybe Blaise and I can record the podcast interview on Thursday. What do you think, Blaise?
Blaise’s response came quickly. I’m in, Cece. And tomorrow is great for book club. I have a few pages left to read, but I’ll finish the book by then.
All good here, Althea texted back.
Finally, Maude. I’m good with whatever the group decides, which sounds like Wednesday. Robbie’s working late most nights anyway and Ollie’s usually too worn out after work to hang. Also, if this is a move to thwart you-know-who, I’m a hundred percent in favor.
It is exactly for that reason, Paige answered. Does that make me a terrible person?
Not at all, Blaise said. I think it makes you smart.
Cece sent a thumbs-up emoji. Agreed.
Paige exhaled. That had gone well. Wonderful. Wednesday it is. I’ll host unless someone else wants to.
More responses poured in.
Essie said, You host this time, but I can host the next one, if you’d like.
If I host, Lester will have to go in the other room, but I promise, he’ll still make comments, Althea said.
I think taking turns would be all right, so long as no one is allergic to cats. Cece added a little calico cat emoji.
Maude added, Hey, I can bring something tomorrow. Like a dessert? I’ll make sure it’s chocolate.
Sounds good, Essie said. And I’ll bring some caffeine-free diet sodas.
Thank you all, Paige said. With a little smile, she set her phone next to her. Now she could get back to her grocery list.
And Gigi DeLuca? Well, she’d just have to find her own Wednesday night plans.