Chapter 10
Amelia refused to let me see Natalie. She was the one who met me at the door, arms crossed and lips pursed, letting me know I was not welcome inside the community center.
“Will you tell her I stopped by?” I asked, hoping it would be better than nothing.
“That’s all you want me to tell her?”
“I would like the chance to apologize to her in person and explain the entire situation.”
“What’s the situation?” Amelia asked.
“My editor twisted the entire article. Did you read it?”
Amelia snorted.
“Yeah, I figured you would. I showed Natalie my article. She said I didn’t have to, but I felt like it was the right thing to do since we both knew Gretchen wanted dirt on Natalie and Omar. I didn’t know she would change it.”
“And you really think that’s a good enough excuse?”
I shook my head. “No. There is no excuse. I just came from a meeting with Gretchen. She admitted she changed it, but she refused to print a retraction. She claimed everything was accurate, and technically it was, it was just done in a way that misrepresented Natalie and Omar.”
“That’s for damn sure,” Amelia muttered.
“I have gotten her to agree to leave future articles alone, and if she’s going to make changes, to share them twenty-four hours in advance so I have time to review them with Natalie.”
“I thought Natalie said she didn’t want to continue with these,” Amelia said, raising her eyebrows and daring me to lie.
“She did. And I respect her decision based on what happened. However, I’m hoping she’ll give me another chance.
I like Natalie and Omar. I have a tremendous amount of respect for both of them.
I want these articles to represent them and MacKellar Cove.
Gretchen doesn’t understand what that means, but she’s promised she will not touch my next article. ”
“And after that?” Amelia asked.
“I asked the same thing. That’s how I got her to agree to advance notice. But she said if the next article doesn’t get the same traffic, or more, she is likely to change things.”
Amelia glanced to the side. Her gaze locked on something, or someone, before she nodded. “Then I guess we better make sure the next article is a good one.”
I nodded. “I will. If Natalie will agree.”
As a reply, the security door clicked open.
I looked at Amelia for verification, and she nodded. I opened the door and stepped inside, seeing Natalie right inside the door.
“I am so sorry,” I told her. “I had no idea those changes were going to be made until after you’d texted me. As soon as my daughter went to school, I read the article, then went right over to Gretchen. She never should have done that to you.”
“No, she shouldn’t. But I appreciate you standing up for me like you did.”
“I’m not the only one who disagrees with what Gretchen did. If she continues like this, I will quit. And one of my colleagues said the same.”
“You can’t quit your job because of me,” Natalie gasped.
“I can and I will because this isn’t right.
And I’m not going to be a part of destroying lives for the sake of selling newspapers.
If something needs to be exposed, I’m on board with that.
Fake news and twisted stories are not why I wanted to study journalism.
I know MacKellar Cove isn’t the hotbed of activity that a city is, but I like that about this place.
It’s a good place to raise my daughter, and a good place to live.
I don’t want to change that to suit one person who is bored. ”
Natalie chuckled softly. “I agree. And thank you. I was hurt when I read the article this morning. I never intended to make it seem like I was flirting with Landon, and Omar is very invested in this wedding.”
I took a step forward and grabbed her hand. “I know. I agree. The article I sent you is the same one I submitted. I loved the way the two of you were together. I was married for a long time, and we were never that way. It was… You two really love each other.”
“We do,” Natalie said. “And I’ll agree to keep going, but—”
I grinned immediately, until she let that but hang in the air.
“But I want you to come to book club.”
“This weekend?” I squeaked.
Natalie shook her head. “Every weekend at least until the wedding.”
“I’m a single mom. My ex isn’t… I can’t rely on him.”
“There are a lot of moms in the group. And if I remember correctly, Melody’s daughter is your daughter’s best friend.”
I nodded. “Yes, but I don’t like asking Ramsey to watch Mikayla every week.”
“Then Omar will.”
“What?”
Natalie shrugged. “Omar will stay with her. If you’re okay with him being around her.”
“No. I mean, yes, I’m fine with Omar being around her, but I can’t ask him to do that.”
“I’m offering, which means he is.”
Amelia snorted. Natalie grinned.
“I…”
“You’re trying to make excuses, but I want you there.
I like you, Casey. That’s why I was so upset by this.
I was surprised you would change the article after how kind it was to us.
Your coming to book club will give me a chance to get to know you better, and it’ll be good for everyone else to know you.
My guess is they’re all a little upset, too. ”
I winced. She wasn’t wrong.
“Come Sunday. Please.”
I relented. “Okay.”
“Yay. Thank you.”
“Thank you for understanding about Gretchen. I would never make it sound like you and Omar were like that.”
“Thanks. But I guess we have to work a little harder to get something she’ll like for next week. What do you say you come to my bachelorette party tomorrow night?”
“What?”
Natalie grinned. “It’ll definitely spice things up. We rented out MacKellar Theater and we’re going to be rowdy and crazy. Amelia is coming.”
“I have my light-up penis beads ready to go,” Amelia said with a grin and a wink.
Natalie chuckled. “Say you’ll come. Daisy will provide the beads.”
“Are you joking?”
Natalie shook her head. “Not even a little. Party starts at seven. We’re going to have food and drinks and take over the adults-only theater. I have no idea what movies Daisy has planned, but she’s been collecting all kinds of things that are going to have my face bright red all night.”
“Lots of penises.” Amelia laughed.
“Um, I’m not sure. It’s a school night, so my daughter is home.”
“Finley and Trent have already offered to have any of the kids who need a place to stay to come to their house. Andre and Daniel are going to be drivers for everyone so people can drink without worrying about driving home afterward. Everyone from book club is coming, and I think it’ll be a really good setup for your next article. Locals get crazy.”
I snorted at her less than stellar headline but knew she was right. It was definitely the kind of thing Gretchen would want in the paper. As long as I could find a way to do it that was both PG and a little scandalous.
“Let me talk to Melody. If she’s going, I’ll see if Mikayla can stay with her.”
“She’s going, but yes, talk to her. Let me know. You can ride with Sofia or Joelle since they both live in your building, and we’ll get you home at the end of the night.”
I contemplated my options and nodded. “Let me check with her right now, if that’s okay?”
“Of course.”
I stepped away to call Melody, knowing it wasn’t private, but it was slightly less rude than standing in front of Natalie and Amelia and talking to someone else.
“Hey, Case. How are you?”
“I’m okay. Listen, I’m talking to Natalie right now, and she invited me to her bachelorette party tomorrow night. Are you going?”
“I am.” Melody’s voice was hesitant.
“The article wasn’t me. I explained it all to Natalie. Gretchen changed it after I turned it in and didn’t tell me.”
“Oh, shit. Really? I was wondering what the hell happened.”
“Yeah. Natalie thought it would be good for me to go to the party and use that for my next article. Something that might appeal to Gretchen. I’ll explain everything later, but if I go, Mikayla—”
“Can always stay here. I told you that before. Amber will love a weeknight sleepover.”
“So will Mikayla, but I hate asking you guys.”
“And Ramsey already told you he’s happy to have her here anytime. It’s totally fine. And it’ll be good for you to be around everyone and explain.”
“I know. Natalie is also insisting I come to book club every week.”
Melody chuckled. “Good for her. I knew I liked her.”
I snorted.
“Mikayla can come here for those, too. Don’t think twice about it. Please.”
“Thanks, Mel.”
“Any time. Hi to Natalie and Amelia.”
“I’ll tell them. Talk soon.”
“Bye, hun.”
“Bye.”
“She said yes?” Natalie asked, even though she knew the answer.
“She did.”
“Good. Then you’re out of excuses. I’ve already let Sofia and Joelle know to grab you before they come tomorrow night.”
I chuckled. “Thanks, Natalie. I’m looking forward to it.”
“So am I. Only a few more weeks until I’m a married woman, and I’m going to enjoy all the festivities leading up to it. And then I’m going to enjoy being married to the man I love.”
“You deserve it,” Amelia said. “It’s so good to see you this happy.”
“Thanks. I never thought I’d find someone who loved me for who I am, but Omar is everything I ever hoped for and more.”
“He’s perfect for you.” Amelia hugged Natalie, and they pulled me into their little circle.
I laughed, feeling the tightness in my chest. I never knew love like Natalie had with Omar. I probably never would. And that was hard to accept.
But it was my choice. I was not looking for heartbreak again. Ever.
Mikayla was thrilled to have a chance to sleep over at Amber’s house on a school night. I was not so thrilled with it, but I lost the battle. Melody decided to ride back to my place with me so I had my car at home and she didn’t have a car, and at six-thirty, we knocked on Sofia’s door.
“Hi!” Sofia said, letting us in. “It’s so good to see you guys!”
I worried about the reception I would get after the article, but Melody assured me it would be fine. Sofia’s welcome made me think maybe Melody was right.
“How are you?” I asked her.