Flirting with Fifty

“You are gorgeous. I would kill for your body. The things I would do if I had your body!”

“Good thing you don’t have my body, then.”

“Jack isn’t Ted. Jack will not be Ted in bed. It won’t be awful. Jack isn’t that guy, and let’s face it, you’re not the same woman. You’re stronger. Happier. Just be confident.”

Paige’s eyes stung, tears prickling. “What if I really am frigid?”

“You’re not frigid, but it is time you ventured out of your ice castle.”

“I think that’s my cue to hang up. Goodbye, Elizabeth.”

“Goodbye, Elsa.”

Paige hung up and laughed under her breath. Elsa. Good one, Elizabeth. And then it hit her. She’d be meeting Oliver. Now, that would be interesting.

Page quickly texted Elizabeth. You never told me what to bring. And what time should we be there?

Elizabeth replied: Bring 2-3 bottles of wine, a green salad, and your gorgeous smile. Everyone’s been invited for noon but come earlier if you want. xo

*   *   *

Elizabeth always set the most beautiful Thanksgiving table, and this year was no exception. She had all those grown-up things Paige had given up years ago—elegant linens, crystal, fine China, sterling silver flatware. This year, the cloth covering the long table was an ivory linen with a thick band of burgundy and rust. The flowers were from a florist, and expensive. There wasn’t a single daisy or baby’s breath in sight. Paige and Ashley walked around the table, admiring the flowers and small gilded pumpkins before Ashley disappeared to go speak to Mrs. Ortiz.

Elizabeth managed to make entertaining look easy, and with Ashley having decided to come after all, Paige suddenly felt emotional, and grateful, that Elizabeth was still her best friend and still including her in holidays and celebrations all these years later. While Paige liked the ease of going to a restaurant on Thanksgiving, there was something to be said for sitting down with people who knew you well, people who made you feel most like yourself. In short, Paige was deeply thankful for Elizabeth.

At Elizabeth’s request, Paige lit the candles on the table, added a second pitcher of water, and checked on the bottles of red wine breathing on the corner of the sideboard.

Elizabeth was bustling in and out of the kitchen, adding platters to the antique sideboard. She returned with Paige’s green salad, sliding it between the vegetables and the warm rolls.

Elizabeth stepped back to survey the dining room. “Is there anything missing?”

Paige studied the buffet. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, two kinds of stuffing, two vegetables, salad, rolls, gravy. “The only thing we’re missing are the cranberries,” she said, turning to look at the table, just in case they were there.

“Good catch.” Elizabeth gave Paige a swift hug. “I am so glad you’re here.”

Paige hugged her back, feeling a sting of bittersweet emotion. They were getting older, they were looking older, and yet Paige had been so blessed to have a friend like Elizabeth in her life. “I’m glad we’re together again,” Paige said. “I missed you when we were in North Carolina. I made friends, but there’s no one like you.”

“We’ve been through so much together.”

“I don’t know how I would have survived the divorce without you.”

“That’s what friends are for.” Elizabeth gave her another quick squeeze. “Now I’m going to get the cranberries. Will you invite everyone to come to the table?”

Dinner was delicious. Candlelight flickered. The dining room hummed with conversation. Paige glanced across the table to where Jack sat next to Andi. He’d been very attentive to Andi throughout the meal, and he’d just made her laugh. Paige was glad. Andi deserved more happiness.

Paige then glanced at Oliver, who was tall like his dad, but darker and leaner. He had his dad’s smile, though, and he was talking to Elizabeth’s twins, making them laugh. It was a very animated discussion and Oliver seemed to enjoy entertaining them. Not all men Oliver’s age would be so good with boys. Paige’s heart felt full.

She couldn’t remember when she’d last felt this way. Deeply content. Peaceful.

Her daughters were healthy and relatively happy. Her mom was well. Paige loved her work. Saturday she’d be leaving for an extended trip with a man who made her feel young and hopeful. Optimistic about the future.

She hadn’t thought she’d ever feel this way about a man again, but Jack had somehow done the impossible.

The improbable.

She was falling in love and she wasn’t even scared—well, not terribly scared—anymore.

*   *   *