Chapter Fifteen
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“He said what?”
Natalie sipped her iced coffee. She’d been pissed off since her conversation with Sean the other night. She’d tried to let it go, but it stuck with her, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. So she’d asked Hazel to meet for lunch. Hazel couldn’t do that, said she had a few errands to run, but she said she’d bring coffee over to Natalie’s office, which Natalie happily agreed to.
“He said that I had no right to bring a man to, and I quote, ‘our home,’ while the kids were there.”
Hazel reared back in shock. “I assume you told him to shove his opinions up his ass.”
Natalie snorted a laugh. “In similar words, yes. I told him the house was mine based upon our divorce agreement, so he had no right to tell me who I could have there. I reminded him we are divorced now, so my personal life is none of his business. Then he tried to tell me that I couldn’t parade a bunch of men around our children, to which I told him that Eugene was one guy, and I wasn’t parading anyone around.”
“Oh, that’s rich, coming from him.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It means that Linc and I ran into him and some extremely clingy woman when we went out to eat pizza last week. And your kids were with them. I mean, it was obvious she was his date. Or his girlfriend or something. They were—how do I put this—very close. The kids didn’t seem to care, but still, hello, pot, meet kettle.”
“So.” She picked up her coffee and took a long sip, pondering the info she’d just gotten from Hazel. “In other words, he can bring our kids around his dates, but I’m not allowed. That is some serious bullshit.”
“Indeed.”
Now she was even angrier. So angry, she wanted to drive to the hospital where he worked and scream at him. But that would be a bad look, and Natalie would never do that, anyway. Still, she and Sean needed to have a conversation, and sooner rather than later.
Right now, though, she needed to push it to the back of her mind, or it was going to eat her up. She changed the subject so they could talk about anything other than her ex.
“How’s Christopher doing?” Hazel asked.
“He’s good. The stitches don’t bother him, though he’s upset that he can’t go swimming.”
“That’ll be over soon enough, though.”
“Yeah, the stitches come out Monday, so I’m sure the first thing he’ll want to do when we get home is jump into the pool.”
“Can’t blame him. Having a pool in Orlando is a necessity.”
“No lie. Hey, I’ve got some preliminary plans drawn up for your backyard space. I can run those over tonight if you’re not busy.”
Hazel’s eyes lit up. “Not busy at all. I’ll let Linc know. Why don’t you and the kids come over for dinner?”
“Sean has the kids tonight, but I’ll be happy to come.”
“Perfect. About seven?”
“Sounds great. Let me know what you’re fixing, and I’ll bring a side.”
“You are working, and I’ve got all the food covered.”
Natalie pointed a finger at her. “And you have a job, too, so I can provide a side dish. Or two, even.”
“Fine. I’m making a casserole. And you make amazing salads.”
Feeling triumphant over her victory, Natalie smiled. “Consider it done.”
They finished their coffees, and then Hazel hugged her and left. Natalie had to do the final touches on a home office this afternoon. The homeowner, Clara, was awesome, and their collaboration had been tons of fun. By the time Natalie finished, Clara was ecstatic and told her she couldn’t wait to start working from home in her gorgeous office.
Natalie couldn’t blame her. The design was modern but efficient, and everything that Clara needed was within her reach. Plus, now she had tons of cabinet storage so everything could be put away at the end of the workweek. Since Clara had been working in her kitchen, this was a night and day difference. She’d have privacy to do her job, and Natalie knew how much that meant.
She finished with Clara and stopped at the office to drop off her work things. Delilah was already gone for the day, so Natalie drove home, heading into her home office.
She smiled at the beauty of it.
After her divorce had been final and Delilah had hired her at the design firm, the first thing Natalie had done had been to convert Sean’s office to hers.
Sean had always called the office his sanctuary, the one place—according to him—where he could dictate his reports, work on his calendar, and get his schedule set up for the next day or the next week.
Whatever. He’d gone in there to hide, play games, or watch sports, since he’d put a big-screen TV in there. He’d forbidden the kids from going in there, saying they might ruin his documents or films or whatever.
Sean was full of shit.
She’d taken that room down to the studs, repainted it a lovely cream color, put up built-ins and a very nice desk. She’d added several potted plants because greenery was cheery, and added shutters to the two big windows. She’d also put in a sofa and a couple nice, soft chairs. That way the kids could come in and hang out whenever she was working.
Her kids were always welcome, no matter where she was.
She made some notes on Clara’s space for final invoicing, went through her emails, delighted to see one from a prospective new client who’d been recommended by a former client, which always made her happy. She made a note on her to-do list to call the prospective client first thing in the morning. Then she tucked everything away and closed her office door.
She made an arugula salad and slid it in the fridge. She loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen counter, put away a few things the kids had left out, then headed upstairs to change.
She took off her dress and shoes, washed up, and walked into her closet, deciding on shorts and a sleeveless top. It was always casual for dinner at Hazel and Linc’s, which suited her just fine. She slipped into her sandals, then touched up her makeup and pulled her hair up with a clip.
It was only May, and it was already brutally humid. Now she felt a lot cooler. Then again she was inside where it was air-conditioned, but at least when they went outside she wouldn’t feel like she was totally melting.
She decided to slice up some fruit and made a tangy but sweet dip, then put all the stuff in her car and drove over to her sister’s house. She frowned when she saw the SUV in the driveway.
“No. It can’t be,” she whispered to herself. Hazel would have warned her.
But who else could it be?
She grabbed the food out of the back seat and went in through the open garage door. The sound of her mother’s voice made her cringe.
Well, crap.
There she was. Her mother, looking impeccably put together, as always. She wore crisp capris, red flats, and a button-down shirt that looked as if it had been starched within an inch of its life. Her medium-length auburn hair curled at the ends, utterly resistant to Florida’s brutal humidity.
She plastered on a smile and walked into the kitchen. “Hey, sis. Hi, Mom.”
“Hello, Natalie.” Mom didn’t get up from her spot at the island, so Natalie went over to give her a peck on the cheek.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Natalie said, then added, “What a nice surprise.”
“Well, Paul is out of town, and I was talking to Hazel earlier, and she mentioned you were coming over. She suggested I come, too, since I was all alone. Isn’t that sweet of her?”
“So sweet.” Natalie traded looks with Hazel, who gave her an apologetic shrug.
“Would you like some sangria?” Hazel asked. “I made a fresh batch.”
“I’d love some.” Natalie put her stuff in the fridge, then grabbed the glass from her sister.
“Where’s Linc?” she asked.
“Oh. He’s outside with Eugene. He stopped by, so he’s staying for dinner, too.”
She managed to choke out what she hoped was a rather bland, “Eugene’s here, too?”
“He is. Problem?”
She shook her head. “No. Not at all.” Now she’d have to make sure her mother didn’t catch on to…whatever was going on with Eugene and her. And why was Eugene here every time she came over? Did he live here or something? Ugh.
“Where are the children, Natalie?” Mom asked.
“They’re with Sean tonight, Mom.”
“I see.” Her mother lifted her chin and took a dainty sip of her drink. “It’s still a shame about the divorce. So hard on the kids.”
“The kids are doing fine, Mom. Sean and I make sure they get plenty of time and attention.”
“But still, their home is broken.”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “Mom. Come on. This isn’t the fifties. People get divorced. It’s not the end of the world. Our children will adapt and thrive. Sean and I might not agree on a lot of things, but as far as our children, we’re in sync.”
Mostly.
Her mother shrugged. “Whatever you say.”
Which was her mom’s way of tuning her out. “Whatever is right. I’m going outside to say hi to Linc and Eugene.”
Despite the blast of heat and humidity that greeted her when she opened the back door, she was happy to be away from the icy chill of her mother’s judgmental attitude.
“Hey,” Eugene said, getting up from his chair. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
“I was surprised to find out that you were here, too.”
He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her. Her first instinct would have been to ask for distance so she wouldn’t have to explain yet another thing to her mother, but right now she was pissed off at her mom, and if she could irritate her a little more, that would be ideal.
But then Linc hugged her, too, and then the dogs surrounded her, causing her to have to kneel and pet the pups, including some dog she’d never seen before. The new pup was on the medium side, with dark, curly fur. She—yes, it was definitely a she—was very fluffy and oh so affectionate. She had a very prominent underbite, which, surprisingly, only made her cuter.
While she was petting the new member of the dog family, Hazel and their mom came outside.
“Who’s the new dog, Hazel?” Natalie asked.
“Oh. That’s Grizelda. She was an emergency surrender I picked up a few days ago. She’s a real peach. Sweet and affectionate and she loves the neighbor’s kids. You should bring Cammie and Christopher over to meet her.”
“She is very cute. And the kids have been asking for a dog for so long.” Natalie was not a dog person, and Sean had always been a firm no-pets person. But getting used to being around Hazel’s dogs had almost—almost—changed her mind.
“A dog is the last thing you need, Natalie,” her mother said, taking a seat near the fan outside.
Count to ten, Natalie. That’s what she and Hazel always told themselves whenever their mother got on their last nerve.
Like now.
Natalie smiled up at Hazel. “Okay if I bring the kids by tomorrow to meet her?”
Hazel beamed a smile. “That sounds perfect.”
She caught the disgusted glance her mother sent her way. In return, she sent her a warm smile.
She’d spent years with a man who had constantly told her what to do. And what she couldn’t do. She’d damn well not go backward and allow her mother to do the same.
This was her life now, and she was the one who was going to make decisions. No one was managing her life for her anymore.
She followed Hazel and her mom inside, the dogs following. Her mother’s consternation over all the dogs was Natalie’s private joy tonight. She was especially brightened by the fact that Grizelda seemed taken by her, spending all her time right at her ankles. Which meant, of course, that she had to constantly bend down to give her love and affirmation.
“I think she loves you,” Hazel said.
She looked up at her sister. “Shockingly, the feeling might be mutual.”
Hazel cast a smile her way. “You know, sometimes you just get hit by the love bug. There’s just no avoiding it.”
Natalie let out a surprised laugh. “I guess so.”
Eugene came inside to grab a couple of beers. On his way past, he knelt down to pet Grizelda, then looked up at Natalie.
“Getting a dog, huh?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I’ll bring the kids by to meet her, and we’ll see how it goes.”
“Kids and dogs are like peanut butter and jelly. It’s a done deal, babe.”
As soon as the word “babe” spilled out of Eugene’s mouth, Natalie shifted her gaze to her mother, catching yet another of her patented disapproving looks. Deciding to ignore her mom for the rest of the evening, she gave Eugene a dazzling smile.
When Linc and Eugene came inside, Hazel put the dogs in their playroom and then finished things up in the kitchen. Natalie tossed the salad and added dressing, then brought out the fruit and dip as well. They took everything over to the table and everyone sat.
The food smelled incredible. Hazel had baked bread—of course.
Hazel lifted the lid and everyone simultaneously inhaled.
Natalie looked over at Hazel. “This smells amazing. What is it?”
“It’s a caprese chicken casserole. Chicken and pasta in a cream sauce with tomatoes and basil.”
“Yum,” Linc said. “Let’s eat.”
They did, and Natalie was in heaven. The food was so delicious she had to try hard not to shovel it into her mouth.
“This is amazing,” Eugene said in between bites. “Can I come over for dinner every night?”
“Thank you,” Hazel said. “And, no.”
Eugene laughed.
Then everything went quiet as everyone just ate the remarkable food.
“Hazel’s been putting some of her meals on social media,” Linc finally said.
“You have?” Natalie looked over at Hazel. “I haven’t seen it.”
“I started a new account just for cooking. I’m creating some videos where I do recipes for simple and also more complex dishes. I’m getting kind of a following.” She finished with a shrug.
“Hazel, that’s very exciting,” Natalie said. “You’ll have to give me your account info so I can follow you and tell everyone I know about it.”
“Thanks.”
“I would also like to know about it,” their mother said.
“Sure, Mom. And, thank you.”
“She’s also writing a cookbook.”
Hazel’s fork stilled in midair as her gaze shot to Linc. “Dammit, Linc.”
He gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I didn’t know it was a secret.”
“A cookbook?” Natalie asked. “Hazel, this is awesome. I want details.”
“I will definitely fill you in and give you all the links.” She continued to eat, but stopped when she realized they were all staring at her.
“What?” Hazel asked.
“It’s a big endeavor to write a book,” Eugene said. “But after tasting your food, I can see why you’d do it. You should own your own restaurant.”
“That’s what I’ve always told her,” Linc said.
“You are pretty impressive,” Natalie said.
“It’s a huge endeavor, Hazel,” her mother said. “But your food is very good.”
Hazel blushed. “Come on. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Actually, it is. I’m very proud of you, Hazel.”
Hazel’s eyes widened. “Thanks, Mom.”
Even Natalie was shocked by her mother’s praise of Hazel’s endeavor. She didn’t offer it up easily, or often. Or at all, for that matter.
“Okaaay, now that you’ve all embarrassed me to death, who wants dessert?”
“There’s a dessert, too?” Eugene asked. “This could possibly be the best night of my life.”
“Dude, you need to get out more,” Linc said, then, when Hazel gave him a side-eye, he added, “I mean, yeah, Hazel makes phenomenal desserts. It is the best night of your life.”
All Natalie could do was laugh. Watching the brothers interact was truly a high point of her night.
At least so far.
After dinner, Mom had to make an exit, claiming that she had an appointment early in the morning on a house closing. They said their goodbyes to her and then gathered back at the table for Hazel’s incredible strawberry shortcake dessert that was fresh and delicious. Linc cleared the table and told Eugene to help him do dishes, which he did without a word.
“Huh,” Natalie said.
“What?” Hazel asked.
“Does that happen often?”
“Does what happen?”
Natalie inclined her head toward the kitchen.
“Oh.” Hazel took a sip of her wine and smiled. “Indeed. Linc said I do almost all the cooking, so it’s only fair that he handle the cleaning up after.”
“Wow. Sean never once stepped foot in the kitchen unless it was to get himself a drink. Most of the time he’d want me to do that for him, too. And he never once washed a dish because he worked and I was at home doing—and I quote—‘nothing all day long.’?”
Hazel wrinkled her nose. “Bastard. And look at where he is now. Not married to you anymore. Too bad for him, huh?”
She smiled. Yeah, too bad for him.
Her gaze wandered over to where Eugene and Linc stood side by side at the sink, talking and laughing while they put leftovers away, rinsed dishes, and loaded them in the dishwasher. Then Linc took the dogs outside while Eugene washed pots and pans.
“Those two are a whole other breed,” Natalie said.
“Not really. They’re just the type of men we deserve.”
She pulled her gaze away from Eugene’s amazing forearms and onto her sister. “You know what? You’re right. We do deserve them.” Not that Eugene was hers, but she did deserve the kind of man who shared household duties equally.
Every woman should have that.
And more. So much more.
While the guys were on seconds of dessert, Natalie splayed her design scheme for the backyard on the table. After the guys finished, Linc came over, along with Eugene.
“I like this here,” Linc said, pointing to the oasis of shade trees and the pergola with misters Natalie had designed on the east side of the house. “It stays cooler, and the dogs will really enjoy hanging out there on hot summer days.”
Hazel nodded. “I agree. And I love the way you added more lush grasses in that area. The dogs will love that.”
“I wanted to put the dog shower near the door here,” she said. “That way if someone gets muddy, it’s easier to hose them off and dry them before they come into the house. But you can change that if you want it somewhere else.”
“No, I think that’s a smart idea,” Hazel said, studying the drawings. “But could we move the splash pool farther back? Say to the left of the rocks on the west side?”
“Sure.” She made notes about the adjustments. “Anything else?”
“Can we keep these and study them a while?” Linc asked. “It might take a day or two to let everything sink in.”
“Of course. Give it at least a week. I’ll check back with you then. And call me if you have questions.”
Hazel smiled. “I’ll call you either way.”
They visited awhile longer, then Natalie said she was going to head out. Eugene left at the same time, so they walked outside together.
“I like your plan for the backyard,” he said as he stopped beside her car.
She leaned against the door. “Thanks. I like it, too.”
They looked at each other, neither of them saying a word. All Natalie had to do was reach out for him, take that step. But for some reason she didn’t.
“Okay.” He pushed off the car. “Anyway, I guess I’ll—”
“Wait.” She turned to look at him. “Come home with me.”
He arched a brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. No. I mean, I don’t know. Yes.”
His lips curved. He picked up her hand in his. “A little conflicted?”
“I guess. But not in the way you think. I want some time alone with you. But I’m not sure I’m ready to—”
“To…”
“Come on. Don’t make me say it.”
“If you can’t say it, Natalie, then you’re definitely not ready for it. I think I should just go home. I don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to do.”
He didn’t seem upset at all, while she was very upset. With herself.
He started to pull his hand away, but she grabbed on to it. “Wait. I’m…scared.”
Now he frowned. “Of me?”
“No. I…” She looked around. “Look. Can we have this conversation somewhere other than my sister’s driveway? Like at my house?”
“Okay. I’ll follow you home.”
She nodded, got in her car, and started to drive, trying to calm down her rapidly beating heart.
They’d talk. They’d just talk. And she’d tell him what she was afraid of.
As soon as she figured it out herself.