Page 82 of And Everything In Between

“I made an observation, that’s all. I recall you doing the same for each of us,” Taylor said, sipping her mimosa. She’d read Paige for filth because she was both an advocate and a hater when it came to them finding love. She had always been happy for them because both of her cousins had kicked off the family healing by getting married and starting families.

“Yeah, and you’re welcome,” Paige said, looking around at them. “Both of y’all skanks.”

Blake clinked her glass against hers. “And now you’re the one in love, lips all swollen and skin all dewy. You moisturized in a way only di…”

“Don’t finish that sentence, Blake,” Betsy cut in, not even looking up from her drink. “That’s still my son. And her walking differently is already enough,” she laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t need visuals.”

The whole table broke into laughter.

Kennedi arrived last, with her digital recorder in one hand and phone in the other, sliding into her seat. “Sorry I’m late. I had to finish an interview for the premiere and the show. I appreciate Giovanni insisting I got the exclusive. It might be the lead piece for the outlet launch.”

She set her equipment down, eyes bright with the thrill of the chase that had taken her around the world and back. “What did I miss? Y’all look like you’ve been gossiping. Who pregnant?”

“1,2,3, not it,” Blake joked.

“No, they said I’m walking differently. Just be making sh- stuff up, I swear. I walked over here perfectly fine.”

The group looked at each other and broke into more laughter. This was the Destiny’s Child ‘Girl’ moment they’d been waiting for - Paige, the last to know she was changed by love.

“Paige, do the math. Like, please.”

Paige narrowed her eyes and sipped her drink slowly. “Y’all get on my damn nerves.”

Blake leaned in, lowering her voice. “Cousin, we’ve been waiting for this. My husband has been plotting since Giovanni first asked about you. So, we love this for you.”

Paige waved them off dismissively but gave them a small smile. “I feel like I’m finally breathing air that’s mine. Not borrowed. Not shared. All mine.”

Taylor nodded slowly, setting her glass down. “That’s called alignment, baby.”

“And you’re in it,” Betsy added. “I can’t wait to see what you and my son create together.”

“Whew,” Blake said, fanning herself. “It’ll be beautiful whatever it is.”

Spirit smiled at Paige, truly appreciating her being in her brother’s life. “I love y’all together. He’s always been quiet, laid back, but you make him sit up in the best ways.”

“Can y’all believe I told him flat out I wasn’t what he was looking for and he said BET!” They howled because she had her nerve. But it was the best decision she ever made, and that was just a fact.

“Now you’ve got him wrapped around your finger, growing, and glowing too. I like my brother happy. We all do,”Spirit laughed. He’d been hell on wheels about the show, the after party, and the future. But Paige came around and calmed him down, soothing him by simply stepping into the room.

“Vanni this, Paige that,” Spirit teased, gagging, “Y’all make me sick.”

“Anyway, y’all enjoying yourselves?”

“Oh yes, kid free in a hotel room with my man. I might not go home.”

“Good, I want y’all to enjoy yourselves, too. This is a trip for all of us. We earned it.” They all raised their glass and tapped them gently.

Paige leaned back in her chair, warmth radiating from the sun, the drinks, and the love circling this table. This felt sacred. Like sisterhood and softness had finally decided she could sit with them. She watched them all, her friends, a mirror of what could be when you chose peace over performance, when you let yourself be poured into without apology.

She blinked slowly, letting her lashes shield the emotion threatening to show up uninvited.

Spirit leaned over and nudged her knee. “You good?”

“I’m more than good,” Paige said, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I’m... grateful. Blessed.”

Paige exhaled, let herself sink into the moment, and that’s when she checked her phone.

No new message from Giovanni.

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