Page 60 of The Paradise Plan

“If you’re going to call him anyway,” Joy said, and Lauren looked up from her phone.She’d perched on the arm of the recliner during the story, but her phone was never far from her.“Why not put him out of his misery tonight?”Joy shrugged like she didn’t care one way or the other.“He seemed really sincere, Lauren.He said he’d make it up to youten-fold.”

“And he was already going to take you to the best steakhouse on the island the first time,” Bessie said, grinning.

She looked between Bessie and Joy.Then over to Sage, who’d said nothing.“Fine.”She got to her feet.“I’ll go call him right now.”

Joy watched her go, and she leaned back into the couch.She looked over to Bessie.“At least she has someone to call.”

Bessie scooted over and laid her head against Joy’s shoulder.“You can always call me, Joy.”

“I know,” she whispered.Her mind wandered along dangerous paths where she was completely invisible to everyone around her.“Thanks, Bessie.”

“Are you going to come back here with Lauren?”

“No,” Joy said.“It doesn’t feel right.”

“Maybe you’ll meet a hot cowboy once we’re back in Texas.”

Joy rolled her eyes, and then she and Bessie both started laughing—for that idea was truly laughable.