Page 232 of The Friends and Rivals Collection

BOOK CLUB LADIES GROUP CHAT

Miriam: I think that went swimmingly well! I’m rather proud of us. Especially moi. I was so smooth!

CarolAnn: Yes. Like ice. It was almost as if they had absolutely no clue what you were up to.

Sara: It was amazing how you made it seem sooo natural.

Miriam: Gee, thanks for nothing. Personally, I think we pulled off making it look spontaneous and not like something we’d been planning for several months.

CarolAnn: *arches skeptical brow* Only several months? I’d say you’ve had this on your mind for a few years. I’m just amazed that it took this long. And even with all that time to play, you still made it seem patently obvious.

Sara: We’re going to need to send her back to acting school, CarolAnn.

CarolAnn: Signing her up now . . .

Miriam: Ha! You’ll all be coming to me soon, wanting me to set up your sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, cousins . . .

CarolAnn: * sifts through list of young single people*

Sara: *hopes Miriam is right*

Miriam: All kidding aside, she seemed completely open to it. This is going to be good for everyone involved, don’t you think?

CarolAnn: I do have to agree with you there. It feels like it was meant to be.

Sara: And we’re going to make sure what’s meant to be actually comes to be.