Martha looked at her expectantly, so Olivia finally said, “That must have been very difficult to not be able to say the things you needed to.”

“It was, but I have to live with my failure. The lesson I learned has kept me from letting things fester until I erupt with all that nasty gunk. I say the things I need to say. I’m honest, and I don’t let hardness build up. Case in point: I had to tell Merle Nathan that her dentures needed relining. Those things clacked around so much in her mouth, I thought I might throat-punch her every time we sat at the same table, bless her.”

Olivia smiled. “Well, I daresay that’s something you needed to have said. We couldn’t have poor Merle with a collapsed windpipe.”

Martha giggled. “She’s my best friend. I would have restrained myself somehow.”

“Who’s telling tales about me over there?” asked a diminutive woman with a fascinator of feathers in her iron-gray hair.

“Just gossiping with Miss Han here,” Martha said, blowing on her nails. “Merle, I’m up next for hair. What do you think I should ask for? I don’t want a nest in my hair.”

Merle removed her chin from Chase’s grasp. “This isn’t a nest, Marth. Feathers are all the rage this year.”

Martha widened her eyes in disbelief. “Well, at least your makeup looks good.”

“I had a professional do it,” Merle said, giving Chase a wink.

Chase’s own face was completely devoid of makeup. Her skin looked dewy, a natural rose flush graced her cheeks, and her brilliant eyes were no longer as haunted. “I’m not a professional, but I’ve worked with so many that I picked up some good tricks. You look splendid, Merle.”

“And good timing, too. There’s that handsome Zeke.” Merle craned her head, looking over Chase’s shoulder. Chase turned and caught Zeke’s gaze. The look on the young actress’s face reminded Olivia of some of the characters Chase had played in her teen romance movies. In those, she’d been acting besotted. She wasn’t so sure the woman was acting at present.

Zeke stopped when he got to Merle and Chase’s table. “Afternoon, ladies. I’ve been sent in here by the gentlemen to let you know the ladies in the kitchen are making chocolate lava cake. They said you’d want to know.”

“Hot damn,” Rita said, giving the woman next to her, awaiting Neve’s ministrations, a fist bump. “That’s almost as good as the messenger. Just saying.”

Zeke had the grace to blush. “You ladies are good for a man’s ego.”

Martha rose and waved over the next victim for Olivia’s manicures. “Sugar, you don’t need us old hens to make you feel good about how nice you fill out those pants. I’m sure these younger ladies can vouch for our excellent taste.”