As soon as Anastasia walked in, Autumn felt her nerves tighten.


    Katelyn greeted Anastasia with a warm, beaming smile, reaching out to take her hand. Watching them together, you''d think they were real mother and daughter.


    Truth be told, Katelyn was a good person-so long as no one riled her up or got gossiping in her ear. Nobody''s perfect, after all.


    Even the happiest couples have their moments-times when you want to throttle your spouse, or at least daydream about divorce once or twice (or a hundred times).


    But today, Katelyn was all smiles, ready for introductions. "Ana, let me introduce you. This is Wendy, and here''s Mrs. Lee..."


    Anastasia nodded and greeted everyone politely. There were just too manydies in this circle for her to know them all.


    She and Monica found seats and settled in with the rest of the wives'' club.


    Little Daria was content to sit on Anastasia''sp, quietly taking in the grown-up conversation.


    Most of Autumn''s attention was on Daria-she seemed distracted, lost in thought.


    Monica, who ran her own beauty shop, was perfectly in her element. She was soon chatting about skincare secrets, making everyoneugh, and fitting right in.


    Then Monica turned the spotlight on Autumn. "Mrs. Walker, your skin looks amazing! But,dies, do you all know the real secret to staying young and glowing?"


    Mrs. Lee and Wendy leaned in, eager for gossip. "What''s the secret?"


    Katelyn piped up, "Come on, Monica, don''t keep us in suspense!"


    Women and beauty-some things never change. They''ll spend anything if it means looking good.


    Anastasia could tell Monica was about to stir the pot, so she just sat back and watched.


    Monica put on her most dramatic voice. "The real secret is... men!"


    The olderdies burst outughing.


    At their age, talking about men was more fun than scandalous.


    Let''s be honest-if anyone ever leaked the chats between best friends, someone would be ruined. Random screenshots could end careers or marriages. If disaster struck, job one would be deleting the group chat-can''t let the receipts survive you.


    Mrs. Lee wiped away a tear ofughter. "Monica, you''re hrious. I love how direct you are."


    Wendy grinned. "She''s not wrong, you know. A woman needs a little TLC from her man."


    "Oh, totally Monica threw her arms around Anastasia''s shoulders and teased "Just look at Ana-glowing like @sunrise! Mr. Salstrom probably deserves some of the credit, huh?"


    Anastasia nearly snorted withughter-leave it to Monica to make her the punchline.


    Mrs. Lee jumped in, turning to Katelyn. "Mrs. Salstrom, your son looks healthy as can be! Maybe Ana will give you another grandbaby this year."


    Katelynughed. "Herman''s old enough to call you all aunties, and you''re still teasing the younger ones?"


    Autumn just sat quietly, not saying a word.


    Monica kept the jokesing. "But if we''re talking happiness, Mrs. Walker''s got us all beat! Mr. Walker''s still a powerhouse, right?"


    Being single, Monica didn''t care about what was proper-she said whatever she liked.


    Anastasia chimed in, "Honestly, Mrs. Walker, your skin and your vibe are the best in the room. I''m jealous!"


    Monica nodded. "See? I told you, a


    good man is the best beauty product money can''t buy. We''re all women here no need to be shy. If I say something out of line, don''t take it personally!"


    The two friends kept bantering, while Autumn''s heart pounded-after all, it wasn''t


    her husband who''d been keeping her glowingtely.


    Mrs. Lee, always the gossip, leaned in. "So, Mrs. Walker, how often do you and


    your husband... you know?"


    Mrs. Lee didn''t pull any punches.


    Anastasia and Monica exchanged nces-these were the kind of friends you needed for a spicy conversation.


    Autumn forced an awkward smile. "Oh, um... it''s fine, I guess."


    Mrs. Lee waved her hand. "Come on, we''re all adults here. My husband''s in his fifties and still going


    strong-four times a month like clockwork! Not bad, right?"


    Wendy looked impressed. "Mrs. Lee, your Mr. Lee is still got it!"


    The conversation was getting bolder by the minute.


    Just then, Mr. Walker wandered over, checking on his wife. "What are youdies chatting about?"


    Monica didn''t miss a beat. "Mr. Walker, we were just saying how Mrs. Walker looks so radiant. A good husband is the best beauty secret! She''s lucky to have


    you."


    Mr. Walker froze, caught off guard, realizing he''d walked into something he didn''t want to know about.


    If he''d had any idea, he''d have steered clear.


    Autumn''s mind was spinning-because she and Mr. Walker hadn''t shared a bed in ages.