𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 (𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎)

𝐱𝐯𝐢.

𝐱𝐯𝐢.

As Rue walked into the upscale lounge, she felt a sense of anticipation and excitement.

Trinity had invited her for a girls' lunch, and Rue couldn't wait to catch up with Trinity and meet some of the other special ladies in her life.

Approaching the hostess stand, Rue politely inquired about the reservation under Trinity's name, eager to be shown to their table.

"Right this way," the hostess responded with a welcoming smile, leading Rue through the dimly lit yet elegant space.

The lounge had a warm, inviting ambiance, with plush seating areas and a sleek, modern bar that exuded an air of sophistication.

As they wove through the other patrons, Rue couldn't help but take in the chic decor and lively atmosphere - this was certainly the kind of place she had been wanting to visit.

Finally, the hostess guided Rue to a table tucked away in a more secluded corner of the lounge, perfectly situated for an intimate gathering.

Rue's face lit up as she spotted Trinity already seated, waving excitedly. "Rue, you made it!" Trinity exclaimed, springing up to wrap her in a tight embrace.

Rue melted into the hug, savoring the comfort and familiarity of Trinity's presence.

"This is a cute spot, I've been dying to come here," Rue remarked, taking in her surroundings once more as she slid into the booth next to Trinity.

"Me too," Trinity agreed, her eyes sparkling with delight. "I'm so glad you could join us today. The girls are so excited to see you again."

As if on cue, Trinity began reintroducing Rue to the other ladies gathered around the table. Rue recognized a few familiar faces from Joe's surprise birthday party a while back, but she was eager to get to know them all better.

There was Takecia, whose infectious energy and warm smile immediately put Rue at ease. "I've missed you, Ruey," Takecia said, pulling Rue into a playful hug.

Rue couldn't help but playfully pout in response, eliciting a chuckle from the group.

True cleared her throat to get Rue's attention. "I've missed you too, you know, even though you cut me off," True said, a hint of mischief in her tone.

Rue couldn't help but smirk, recalling the incident that had led to that temporary estrangement. "That was to prove a point, but lucky for you, your sister-in-law doesn't know how to take no for an answer," Rue retorted, glancing teasingly at Trinity, who feigned offense.

"Hey!" Trinity exclaimed, playfully swatting Rue's arm.

The easy banter and Rue felt herself relaxing into the familiar comfort of their company.

As the conversation flowed effortlessly, Rue couldn't help but marvel at how quickly she had clicked with some of the ladies.

It was as if they had known each other for years, rather than just a brief encounter at a party.

The girls' day was off to a wonderful start, with the women sharing stories, laughing, and indulging in delectable cocktails and appetizers.

Rue savored every moment, grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with Trinity and meet her other close friends.

She had always been a bit of a homebody, content to spend her days teaching and grading papers, but there was something about being surrounded by a vibrant, dynamic group of women that made her feel alive and energized.

As the afternoon wore on, the conversation naturally turned to more personal topics.

Summer leaned in with a curious expression. "I always wondered why you kept teaching when your late husband left you a fortune," she said, her tone laced with genuine interest.

Rue felt a slight twinge in her chest at the mention of her late husband, Rick. It had been several years since his passing, but the pain of his loss still lingered, a dull ache that never quite went away.

Clearing her throat, she responded with a gentle smile. "Because that's my passion," Rue explained, her voice steady and unwavering. "I've been teaching for as long as I can remember, and it's not something I could ever give up, even with the financial security Rick provided."

True picked up on Rue's slight hesitation. "I'm just curious," she said, leaning forward with a thoughtful expression. "Does Joe know that you're a billionaire?"

Rue couldn't help but shrug nonchalantly. "I think he knows," she replied. "I mean, I don't brag about my wealth, so we haven't talked about it."

The revelation of Rue's immense wealth seemed to shift the dynamic at the table, with the other women regarding her with a mix of awe and curiosity.

Rue could almost see the gears turning in their minds, as they tried to reconcile the image of the unassuming teacher they had come to know with the staggering net worth she had inherited from her late husband.

Sensing the slight tension in the air, Rue decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. "So, what else have you all been up to?" she asked her tone light and engaging. "I'd love to hear more about your lives and what you've been up to since we last saw each other."

As the women began sharing updates on their careers, relationships, and personal endeavors, Rue listened intently, genuinely interested in learning more about their lives.