Page 8 of Cayden

Leesa leaned in; her interest piqued. "Anything we can help with?" She offered, her voice warm and sincere.

Blair shook her head, grateful for her friends' support but determined to navigate this challenge on her own. "Not yet," she said, "but I'll let you know if I need anything."

Monique, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her silence a testament to the trust and understanding that haddeveloped between them. She knew better than to press Blair for details, knowing that her friend would share in her own time.

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Blair felt a wave of relief. She allowed herself to relax, savoring the camaraderie and the delicious meal. The laughter and shared stories provided a much-needed respite from the concerns that had been weighing on her mind.

“Alright ladies.” Leesa spoke up. They were having the chocolate truffle, and champagne which Blair had refused. “I have another meeting when I leave here and need a clear head.”

This was her excuse as the women stared at her curiously. “We want bigger and better this year. Aside from the usual fundraising efforts – focusing of course on the hospitals, and children’s homes, we are faced with increased homelessness in several nearby states. There are also the victims of the devastating fire in LA.”

“What about a concert?” Kelly suggested.

“That’s going to take a hell of a lot of planning and with winter approaching, we need to send help to the victims as soon as possible.” There are also the families in Haiti and the Philippines.”

As they continued to brainstorm, Blair realized what she loved about these women. They were powerful women married to powerful men but had never lost sight of who they were.

They cared. It was that simple. They were sophisticated and were movers and shakers in their own rights, but at the end of it, they were influential in making a difference. She had questioned herself numerous times about falling for a man like Cayden Caruso, if she had aimed too high and if so, what were the consequences.

But she knew without a doubt that she wanted to be like these women seated around the table. Making a difference to people who needed the help.

“Honey?”

She looked over at Kelly and realized that she had zoned out and the conversation had lapsed.

She quickly gathered her thoughts and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I was just thinking about how we can make a real impact this year."

Kelly nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "It's a lot to consider, but I know we have the capability to pull it off. The concert idea could be a cornerstone event, drawing in significant funds and attention."

Monique chimed in, "We could partner with some high-profile artists. They often have a keen sense of social responsibility and might be willing to perform for a worthy cause."

Blair's mind raced with possibilities. "We could also leverage social media to spread awareness and encourage donations. It is amazing how quickly information can travel and how many people we can reach."

Leesa leaned back, a thoughtful smile on her face. "I love where this is heading. Let us start organizing teams and delegating tasks. We need all hands-on deck to make this happen."

Blair felt a renewed sense of purpose. The magnitude of their goals was daunting, but with the collective strength and dedication of these women, she believed they could achieve anything. And perhaps, in the process, she would find the confidence to reveal the secret she had been holding close to her heart.

“I was also thinking about my life. I was catapulted into fame and fortune when I married Cayden, and it frightened me.”

“You are not the only one.” Monique reminded her with a laugh. “I endured the comments that I married for money, and I was out of my league.” Her eyes danced merrily. “And I agreed with all of it. My husband was movie star handsome, and I was only regular.”

“There is nothing regular about you,” Leesa reprimanded her., “you have managed to put your particular stamp on a company that was already established. That is no mean feat.”

“Sometimes I feel like I am being swamped.” Monique admitted ruefully. “The company, being a mother and wife to a man who makes me want to hit him over the head and love him at the same time.”

The others laughed.

“We all face similar challenges.” Leesa murmured as she took a sip of her wine. “Being married to Bradley is often a chore.” She toyed with the stem of her glass, her expression thoughtful.

“People on the outside looking in would assume we have perfect lives. But one never knows what goes on in a marriage. We have our difficulties, but the truth is, I would never change it for anything in the world. Even during the troubled times, I am still in love with my guy.”

“Hear! Hear!” Kelly lifted her glass in a toast and the others followed.

“Blair, I know you have been going through your challenges.” Monique offered in her quiet voice. “But you will get through it. And we are here if you need us.”

She felt tears threatening and felt guilty that she could not share with her friends, not yet, not completely. “Thanks. I really appreciate that.”

*****

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