Chapter Seventeen
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The best part of game design was having an opportunity to test drive, so to speak, a new creation. Only this time it wasn’t a new game, but a ride, which wasn’t close to being ready. It would take the better part of a year and a half—maybe longer—to make it ready. But they had the schematics and had designed preliminary routes and all the thrills. So right now they could at least do a virtual ride to make sure they were on the right track.
Eugene and his team went into the game room, got into their chairs, and put on the VR headsets.
“Okay, gang,” he said. “Why don’t we see how much of this we’ve gotten right so far. Let’s hit it.”
They ran through the entire ride about fifteen times. Eugene made voice notes about what looked good, and, more importantly, what wasn’t working and needed fine-tuning. Fortunately he had an excellent team who also threw out comments and suggestions, so he added those to his notes.
The ride needed a lot of tweaking, which wasn’t unexpected at this phase of the project. But, all in all, they were right on track, which was awesome.
After the test, he went back to his office and wrote up his notes, making design changes based on what they had seen on the VR run.
They still had so much to do, but now Eugene could visualize the way this ride would operate.
It was going to be kick-ass once it was done. This was where Eugene got excited like a child, already visualizing how much kids were going to love this ride. He had always felt the same way whenever he designed a game.
A ride, though? To be able to be there to watch families experience it? It was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. So much action, adventure, and nonstop thrills.
He couldn’t wait. But, for now, there was more work to be done.
His phone pinged. He picked it up, smiling as he saw a text from Natalie. He’d told her he was going to have an intense next several days, but they’d been in touch via text and video chat.
Busy day?
He replied: Yeah. All good stuff. How about you?
She replied with a pic of herself with the kids and their new dog, Grizelda. Picked her up yesterday. Utter madness and joy at our house.
He laughed at the looks of love and happiness on all their faces. He texted back with: She looks like she’s always been yours. You all needed a dog.
She replied a few minutes later: That’s still up for debate. Can’t deny she’s very cute and cuddly. Come see her.
How could he pass up that invitation? He replied back: How about pizza tonight?
Sounds perfect. See you tonight.
She finished off with a heart emoji, making his own heart do a weird tumble in his chest.
Okay, yeah, he could just calm down. Sure, they definitely had fun together. And, as he learned the other night, the sex was outstanding. Plus, he really liked her kids.
So the problem was…
He frowned, refusing to work that problem through to its logical conclusion.
Or maybe he just wasn’t ready yet.
So he’d just focus on pizza night and meeting the new dog.
That, he could handle.
· · ·
Hazel had called Natalie three times a day for the past two days, and had insisted on video calls as well, all to check on Grizelda.
“The pup is fine, Hazel,” Natalie said. “She goes outside regularly, she has toys and food and water, and the kids play with her when they get home from school. We go for walks every morning and the kids run around with her nonstop. And then she takes a lot of naps in the bed we got for her. I’ve told the kids not to bother her when she’s sleeping, and they’re very good about respecting her sleep.”
Natalie walked the phone over to where her furry baby was currently curled up on the fluffy dog bed. “See? The kids are outside and the dog is inside napping. Happy.”
Hazel sighed and smiled. “She does look happy. You’re doing so well with her, Natalie.”
Natalie turned the phone back to herself. “You sound surprised. Should I be insulted?”
“Of course not. Okay, maybe. I never took you for a dog person. For a while there you barely tolerated being in the presence of my dogs.”
Not a lie. “You have a point. But that wasn’t about your dogs. It was more me being stressed and unhappy. I barely tolerated my kids, let alone dogs. So I wasn’t really myself.” She thought about it. “I’m still not sure who ‘myself’ is yet, Hazel.”
Hazel nodded. “I appreciate your honesty. And it’s such a breakthrough for you to recognize that. Plus, you have a dog now. You’re expanding your capacity to love, Natalie. That’s a big deal.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I’m being serious. Being responsible for another creature—human or canine—is a major deal. During a time when most people would be introspective and focused on their own needs, you’ve decided to open yourself up to love. Both giving and receiving. That’s huge.”
Was it? She hadn’t thought about it at all. “I think it was more of a case of instalove where Grizelda was concerned.”
Hazel laughed. “Well, now, that I completely understand.”
They talked for a few more minutes, then hung up since they were both busy. Since the kids were occupied outside kicking a ball back and forth to each other, Natalie took a seat at the table where she could keep an eye on them and opened her laptop to work on a few design projects.
She put the finishing touches on a project she’d been diligently working on since she first started back to work. It was a huge design, one that included a living room, dining room, and three bedrooms, along with a backyard redesign. She’d gotten to know the owners, Fred and Paula, a retired couple who’d lived in their home for over twenty years. Now that they had time to relax and recreate, they’d renovated the entire house, and Paula wanted it to have a design refresh. She had a keen eye for detail, which Natalie just loved. Working with a client who knew exactly what they wanted made her job so much easier.
She checked inventory and grinned when she realized that everything had come in and was ready to go. She should be able to finish the design next week. She shot off an email to Paula to schedule the install.
By the time she finished sending some emails to suppliers, Grizelda had woken from her nap and was whining at the back door.
“Good girl,” Natalie said, opening the door for her. She walked out with the pup, who dashed out to join the kids. They were sitting in the shade under a tree, their heads touching. They were talking in whispers, no doubt plotting a world takeover. Or at least a takeover of the house.
But then Cammie and Christopher decided that rolling around on the ground with Grizelda was way more fun than a world takeover. The sounds of their giggles and the pup’s happy barking were the sweetest music.
Her kids were happy. Her dog was happy. Her heart swelled with joy as she watched them.
But was she happy?
The thought shocked her.
She’d focused so much of her time and attention since the divorce on making sure the kids knew they were loved, that just because she and Sean were no longer living together, it didn’t mean that anything would change in how they felt about the kids. It had been rough at first, but kids were resilient—much more than Natalie had been. Even though she’d been the one to initiate the divorce, it had still been hard. She’d had to learn a whole new way of living.
She’d never felt more alone than during that time. But even through those darkest days, she’d known she’d made the right decision. Because despite all the upheaval, for the first time in so many years, she’d felt a sense of rightness, of peace that she’d never felt before. And that calm had been worth all the mayhem.
But was she happy?
As she watched the kids and dog run the yard, she pondered the thought.
That daily tension from trying to be the perfect wife to Sean had evaporated. Now she could do whatever she wanted—within reason and childcare, of course. But knowing that she answered to no one but herself? That meant everything.
She loved her job, her clients, and the people she worked with. She had a new, much closer relationship with her mother and her sister, and those tightened bonds were so warm, so loving.
And then there was Eugene. And sex. Oh so hot sex that was extremely nice and had definitely lowered her anxiety, while at the same time heightening all her senses.
So, yeah, right now, she was very happy.
And that was enough for now.
For now was all she could do.
· · ·
Eugene balanced two boxes of pizza on one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. He used his elbow to push the bell at Natalie’s front door, smiling at the sound of a dog’s bark.
Natalie opened the door, and her bright smile was everything. Grizelda wound around his legs as he stepped in, her tail doing happy flips.
He bent down to give her lots of love as he looked up at Natalie. “She seems to be settled in and happy, huh?”
Natalie looked down at the pup. “It’s like she’s been here her whole life.”
“Perfect.”
“Eugene!” Christopher ran down the hall and launched himself at Eugene’s legs.
“Hey, buddy,” Eugene said. “What’s up?”
“We found a turtle in the backyard yesterday. Mom didn’t let us keep him.”
“Oh, too bad. But that’s because the turtle was probably traveling to his home in a pond somewhere, right, Mom?”
Natalie nodded. “That’s right. Plus, Grizelda kept barking at him and wouldn’t let him move.”
“Ah.”
They walked into the kitchen so Eugene could set the pizzas down on the island. “For you,” he said to Natalie, handing her the bouquet.
She sniffed them and smiled. “Very sweet of you. Thank you.”
Christopher flopped onto the floor. Grizelda immediately climbed onto Christopher’s lap.
“This is Grizelda,” Christopher said, absently running his hand over the dog’s back. “She’s our dog. We have to feed her and love her and take care of her. She likes balls and squishy toys.”
Eugene kneeled down. “Having a dog is a big responsibility. I’ll bet you and Cammie do a great job taking care of her.”
“Yeah, we do. But mostly me.”
“So not true.” Cammie came in and sat next to Christopher. Grizelda hopped over to her lap and lapped kisses all over Cammie’s face, making her laugh.
Christopher lay on the floor and the dog jumped on him, giving him kisses, too.
“I can tell that Grizelda has enough love for both of you.”
“She’s extremely affectionate,” Natalie said. “And very gentle with the kids.”
She went over to the cabinet and pulled out plates. “Kids, it’s time to eat. Go wash your hands.”
It was funny how two little kids could make sounds like an entire herd of buffalo as they ran down the hall.
Natalie pulled salad out of the fridge along with a bowl of fruit while Eugene laid the pizza boxes on the table.
“I think you did way more work than I did,” he said.
She laughed. “This was easy and I don’t have to cook tonight. You saved my life. Plus, the kids love pizza.”
“I feel a little less guilty, then.”
The kids came back, and he helped Natalie set up the kids’ plates. He’d gotten one cheese and one pepperoni pizza, figuring those would probably work, which they did. Christopher liked pepperoni, and Cammie liked cheese, and Eugene could eat anything. Natalie opted for a slice of each. He piled salad and fruit onto his plate, and they all dug in.
The kids regaled him with talk of school and activities.
“We’re both doing swimming lessons this summer, like we always do,” Cammie said.
“That’s what makes you both good swimmers,” Eugene said.
“Yeah. Because someday I’m gonna be a lifeguard.” Cammie paused to take a bite, chew, and swallow. “Or a scientist. Maybe a model.”
He nodded, impressed with her thought process. “Those are all awesome careers.”
“I’m gonna be a firefighter,” Christopher said. “Or a race car driver.”
“Both sound fun.”
The salad was amazing, and the fruit salad was bright and delicious. The kids finished eating, took their plates to the sink, and ran outside to play with Grizelda. They put the leftovers away and cleaned up the plates.
Eugene leaned against the sink. “This was all so good, Natalie.”
She smiled. “It’s a pretty simple dinner. Plus, you bought the pizza, remember?”
“I remember. But you made salad and fruit. And it’s more than I usually get. Single guy, ya know.”
She pointed her finger at him. “That is no excuse. You know how to cook, right?”
“I can cook some things.”
“And your new house will have an amazing kitchen,” Natalie said, “both indoor and outdoor. Being a single guy is no reason for not being able to whip up incredible meals. Or at least decent ones.”
He had been thoroughly chastised. “You’re absolutely right. Once my house is finished, I’ll start working on that.”
She shrugged. “Why wait? You can use my kitchen and practice here.”
Oh, now the gauntlet had been thrown down. “Sure.”
“Seriously?”
“You offered. Did you think I wasn’t up to the challenge?”
“I figured you’d turn me down.”
He laid his hand over his heart. “Oh, the lack of faith.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re heartbroken. So you’re going to cook for me, then.”
“I absolutely accept your challenge. You just let me know when you want to do this and I’ll be here.”
She looked up, thinking, then said, “This weekend. Kids will be at Sean’s.”
“Afraid I’ll poison them?”
“Not at all. I just want to watch you. Carefully. Can’t have you burning my kitchen down.”
“You’re funny.”
“I think so.”
“Consider it done.”
Now all he had to do was plan a meal, then figure out how he was going to cook it. “Then we’ll be alone.”
She leaned in closer. “Yes. We will.”
He took a peek outside. The kids were busy with Grizelda, so he took the opportunity to brush his lips across hers. “Can’t wait.”
“Mmm. Me, too.”
The weekend was just too damn far away.