Page 11

“But you don’t live in Iowa anymore.”

“That’s what I said, but I do own property there, so…”

“Uh, it’s not on your driver’s license or what you file your taxes under…”

“As long as I spend at least one month a year on the property, I’m considered eligible. And we did spend a lot of time there this past year. It’s purely a technicality.”

Yeah, you spent a lot of time there.During the pandemic, Caitlyn had “spontaneously” bought a lakefront home in her native state of Iowa, only a couple of hours from Des Moines, where her family lived. The idea was to getaway there every so often while her family borrowed it according to whenever it was available on the spreadsheet. Jane had balked at the idea ofeverholidaying in Iowa. Becca went for some one-on-one time with Caitlyn. But, most often, Caitlyn was there with her siblings and their broods.

Becca wasn’t sure how this worked but she was in no position to question it.

“So… you’re thinking about doing it?”

Caitlyn’s face lit up. “I wasn’t at first. But… it’s been so long since I did a pageant. I probably don’t even know how to do it anymore.”

“Have you done any at all since getting with Jane?”

“A couple I had already committed to, but otherwise… no.”

“What would be the driving force behind you doing this?”

Caitlyn steepled her fingers before her face. “Maybe I need the confidence boost.”

Becca had suspected as much but wasn’t going to call her out on it.I’m rather surprised she said it, though…

“If this is about what the doctor said, you know it has nothing to do with your appearance, right?”

“Easy for you to say, Becca. You haven’t been called fat your whole life.”

“You’re not fat!” This wasn’t the first time Rebecca had uttered this fact since the doctor’s visit. “I mean, are you technically overweight? Duh. But you’re not built like, say, me.”

“Yes, hon, I’m quite aware of how I’m built. It’s what people have fetishized my whole life when they’re not using it as a way to bring me down.”

“I’m sorry.” Bathwater dripped from Becca’s hands as she rubbed her face. “You should do it if you want. I’m sure you’ll kick ass.”

“You don’t sound that assured.”

“I mean, you might also crash and burn. How much time will it take away from work?”

“That’s another thing I have to talk to Jane about. Assuming I want to do this. Oh, you won’t tell Jane until I have the chance, right? She won’t be angry about it, but she doesn’t understand the pageant thing. She thinks it’s a fun hobby American women do when they don’t want to join a quilting circle or walk dogs for a side hustle. Not that she’s ever complained about what the pageant beauty regimen has done for my skin these past two decades.”

“I won’t tell her. I promise.”

Visible relief washed over Caitlyn. “Thanks, Becca. I owe you one.”

“You owe me some peace and quiet in my bath.”

“I think you meanmybath,” Caitlyn said as she got up. “But yes. Enjoy. I’ll be in the bedroom for a while.”

Although Becca’s book allowed her to escape from the thoughts swarming her head, she was back at square one once she dried off, said goodnight to Caitlyn, and shuffled off to the room she now shared with Jane.Not gonna bother asking to crash with Cait tonight.Not only would Caitlyn probably want to keep talking about the Mrs. America Pageant, but Caitlyn was the one less likely to tolerate a sleepover. She was the primary reason she and Jane had separate rooms in their second go at a marriage.

Jane, however, didn’t treasure her alone time as much.

“What was Cait so insistent on talking to you about, huh?” Jane asked once the lights were off. “I saw her rushing into the bathroom where you were soaking. Ah, don’t tell me you two had a quickie without me!”

Becca pulled the covers up her chest. “No. She only wanted to talk about some things on her mind.”

“Let me guess. She told you not to tell me.”