My whole body tightened.
Valerie saw.
“I didn’t know she was coming.”
Paige immediately stood.
“I can leave.”
I stared.
“What are you doing here?”
She looked embarrassed.
“Diane has an appointment.”
“I drove her.”
“Why are you inside?”
“She forgot her glasses.”
That was so ordinary I almost laughed.
Paige held them up.
“I was bringing them in.”
She took one step backward.
“I’ll go.”
I looked at her.
Three months earlier, she had assumed my membership belonged to her.
My money.
My access.
My authority.
Then she used my presence as a stage for humiliation.
Now she was waiting for permission to remain in a lobby.
That did not make me powerful.
It made the difference visible.
I said:
“You don’t need to leave.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“Give Diane her glasses.”
She nodded.
Then hesitated.
“I’m not using anything.”
I almost smiled.
“I know.”
She went down the hall.
Valerie looked at me.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
I was.
Actually.
Paige returned a minute later.
She stopped several feet away.
“I’m going now.”
“Okay.”
Then she said:
“Marian.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
She looked around the lobby.
“For not making this place belong to what I did.”
My throat tightened.
“That was my decision too.”
She nodded.
Then left.
I went to my appointment.
Afterward, I sat in the quiet lounge with tea.
My phone buzzed.
Grant.
Board packet submitted. No related-party approvals without Celeste. You’d be proud.
I smiled.
