Chapter Twenty-Six
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Natalie was arms deep in luxurious brocade and was the happiest she’d ever been.
Then again, there really was a lot to be said about having too much of a good thing. How was she supposed to decide on a fabric when everything was so gorgeous?
She laid the swatches on the table, using her critical eye to determine which ones were serious contenders and which ones she’d chosen just because they were pretty. It was obvious that some were too ostentatious for her living room. Beautiful, yes, but not practical. After starting out with about twelve fabrics, she narrowed it down to three.
She laid the finalists out on the table and stepped back, trying to decide which ones would look the best on her chair. How would they fit with the rest of the décor in the room, with the shape of the chair?
She walked past all of them, stopping to study, to touch, to imagine. But her focus kept going back to the striped and floral blue damask. Dark blue and gold, it would go perfectly with the blue sofa. Plus something about the fabric called to her. That was the one.
She ordered the amount she was going to need, gave them her address, and paid for the fabric and shipping, then happily headed out to another store, where she bought some amazing wallpaper that would look incredible in Eugene’s game room. She’d never seen anything like it, and she knew Eugene would love it. In another store, she found some other unique looking fabric for a current client, then she stopped for a salad at an outside shop, sitting on their patio to watch people either strolling or hurrying by, depending on their destination.
It felt good to be here, to relax, to have this time to herself to shop and plan. Being alone with Eugene was a definite plus, too.
Her phone buzzed and she smiled, seeing the text from Eugene.
How’s it going? Did you buy up all the fabric yet?
She texted him back: Almost. Having lunch now. How’s your day?
He replied with: Busy, but good. Can’t wait to see you.
Her heart tumbled. What was it about him—everything about him—that heated her up from the inside out? She couldn’t wait to see him, either, which both excited and worried her.
The last thing she wanted was to get too deeply involved with Eugene. Fun was fun, but his every touch ignited her fire, and she watched the clock, knowing she’d see him soon. Her relationship with him felt very…oh, what was the appropriate feeling?
High school. That was it. She felt giddy and silly, and she yearned to see him every moment of every day. She shouldn’t feel this way. She was an adult with children and a job and responsibilities that should take priority over having some temporary fling with a younger guy.
She had no idea what to do about stopping these feelings, though. She’d never fallen so hard so fast.
No. She was not falling. She would not fall. This would not happen.
She took out her phone to check the time, put in her ear buds, then punched in Hazel’s number. Her sister picked up after a couple of rings.
“How’s it going?” she asked.
“It’s good. I just had lunch outside. It’s so incredible here. It’s warm but not so humid you can’t breathe.”
“Sounds perfect. Have you been out and about?”
“Everywhere. Oh, Hazel, you would love it. People are outside walking their dogs all over the place.”
“Now that I would love. Show me.”
She transferred the call to FaceTime and threw away her trash, then got up and took her sister for a walk, mentioning a few areas she’d stopped at that she really liked. And, of course, since it was Hazel, she made sure to show her a few dogs that walked past.
“So adorable. Nothing better than a happy dog.”
“Speaking of dogs, how’s Grizelda?”
“One of the pack. She loves hanging out with the other kids.” Hazel turned the phone around to show her Grizelda happily snoozing in the backyard with Penny the golden retriever. “They’ve been running amok all morning.”
“Aww. Thank you so much for taking care of her.”
“It’s no problem. She’s a very good dog, Natalie. She’s warm and affectionate and so playful. I can see why you had instalove for her.”
Yeah, she definitely had a problem with instalove. And not just the dog. “She has my heart for sure. So what’s going on at home?”
“Not much. Mom is going to drop Cammie and Christopher off after school. Linc and I are going to take them to a kids’ festival with face painting and rides and such, then after dinner we’ll take them to Sean’s. I already talked to him about keeping the kids through dinner and he was fine with that.”
“I’m glad he didn’t balk at it. He’s such a stickler for a schedule.”
“Yeah, I was surprised, too. Anyway, we’ll have some fun with the kids and then they can go to their dad’s.”
“Thanks, Hazel. The kids will love it.”
“Linc and I will love it, too. Now tell me everything you’ve been up to.”
Natalie gave her sister every detail of her escapades so far, leaving out the intimate times she’d shared with Eugene, of course.
“Sounds like you’ve had so much fun. How are you and Eugene getting along?”
She’d entered the park, so she found a nice shady spot by a pond and took a seat. “Oh, we’re fine.”
Hazel arched a brow. “Fine? Really? That’s all you have to say? You get a fun getaway without kids or responsibilities, and you’re with a hot man, and all you can say is that it’s fine?”
She inhaled a deep breath, exhaled, and said, “Okay, actually, it’s amazing. He’s amazing. And that’s a problem.”
Hazel leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her coffee before asking, “Why is it a problem?”
“Because I’ve got my life in order. The kids are settled and have adjusted to the divorce, and I don’t want to rock the boat.”
Hazel didn’t speak for a few seconds, and Natalie prepared herself for what was coming.
“So, what? You’re supposed to just be alone and miserable for the rest of your life?”
“No, of course not. I just think that now might not be the best time.”
“Okay. And when do you think the best time would be?”
She opened her mouth to pop out an answer, realizing immediately that she didn’t have one. “I don’t know.”
“Could it be that you’re just afraid of your feelings for Eugene, that maybe everything between you is happening so fast that you feel like your head is spinning, and you want the world to stop for just a minute so you can think?”
Natalie blinked. “Okay, wow. Where did that come from?”
“I had the same knock-me-out feelings for Linc. It was like they came at me out of nowhere, and I didn’t know what to do with all these emotions, the wow-ness of it all. You know how I felt after the divorce. I wanted nothing to do with men or relationships. Look at me now.”
“Well, that’s different. I have children to consider.”
“Point taken. You do have to tread carefully, but I can vouch for Eugene, and so can Linc. He’s a good guy, honey. He’s not going to hurt you or the kids.”
“Logically, I know that. It’s just…”
Hazel tilted her head and gave her a soft smile. “You’re scared to put your heart out there again. You don’t want it trampled.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, how about you take it one day at a time and see how it goes? It’s not like he’s asked you to run away and marry him, right?”
She let out a short laugh. “No, that definitely hasn’t happened.”
“Okay, then. So maybe you’re putting the proverbial cart before the horse just a little?”
“Probably.”
“Then go forth and have some fun, and if you develop feelings, or if you’ve already gotten them, let it happen. Holding yourself back from heartbreak means you hold yourself back from life. From love. And both of those are pretty awesome, Nat.”
She felt the tension dissipate from her body. “Thank you, Hazel. I needed to hear that. I guess I worry too much.”
“I’ve heard it comes from being a parent. And you’re a very good one. I know you’re looking out for the welfare of the kids, which is awesome. But you’re entitled to have a life, too. And you have all of us to help back you up. You’re not alone in this.”
That meant more to Natalie than she could ever say. “Thanks. I appreciate you. And Linc. And Mom and Paul.”
Hazel grinned. “We’re your village. Now, tell me what’s on tap for the two of you for the rest of the trip. Leave out the sex stuff, though.”
Natalie laughed and then started talking. Leaving out the sex stuff, of course.