Chapter 30 #2
Nate slips his arm around my shoulders, steering us easily through the crowd, past steaming grates and honking taxis. He presses a quick, chaste kiss to my temple, like second nature, before holding out a slice of pizza.
“Try this.”
I take a bite and moan, my eyes fluttering closed. “God.”
He laughs softly.
No one can deny that New York pizza is unmatched.
I take another bite before he guides us toward a nearby park, where we snag the only open bench.
He takes his turn with the slice, groaning just like I did. “I haven’t had a proper classic slice in forever.”
“I could easily eat three,” I say, chewing thoughtfully. “Guess I’m running extra tomorrow.”
He freezes mid-bite. “Alone?”
I nod, washing it down with the crispest Diet Coke I’ve had in ages. “Well, you’re leaving for London. And Leo and Addie both hate running.”
“Mads…” He sighs, and a look crosses his face that tells me I’m not going to love what comes next. “Not when I’m away. I’ll be worried sick that something will happen to you.”
“Nate.” I roll my eyes, flexing my arm dramatically. “Before I moved in with you, I ran every morning by myself. I told you I took self-defense lessons.”
Plus, there’s no way I’m agreeing.
It’ll be the first time in ages I can sneak off to the studio without Nate noticing I’m gone. Since we got back together, he’s barely let me out of his sight.
Not that I mind.
I love being with him every second of every day, except when I need uninterrupted time to finish the pieces I started before we got back together.
He shakes his head. “If you don’t agree, I’ll cancel the whole trip.”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” I scoff, just as Skye starts howling at a passing fire truck. “See? Even she thinks you’re insane.”
“At least run late morning, when the city’s awake.” He reaches up, swiping his thumb gently across my chin where sauce has dripped. He holds his finger out.
Without thinking, I wrap my mouth around it, sucking it clean, completely forgetting we’re sitting in the middle of a crowded park.
His voice drops, eyes soft and pleading. “Goddess?”
“Fine,” I relent, helpless to that look.
“Thank you, babe.” He kisses me slowly, and warmth blooms in my chest. I’ve always been a little shy about PDA, but Nate has never cared who’s watching. “Oh, Mom called while you were in the bathroom. She wanted to make sure you’re still coming to dinner tomorrow.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss my first family dinner back in the city.”
“I hate that I’ll be in London.”
Skye nudges her head into my hand so I dig into my pocket and give her a treat for being such a good girl today while we’ve been out. “Do you think I can put in a dinner request?”
Rosa is one of the best cooks I know. I miss her home-cooked meals. I learned a lot about cooking from her when I was younger.
“Probably not,” he says, smirking. “She’s still mad at both of us.”
“Still?”
“She’ll get over it.” He lifts the box of pastries from Rocco’s. “Dessert?”
The moment Rosa found out we were back together, she called us from Spain, where she’s been since the gala night, and tore us a new one for waiting until she was gone.
“I’m not sure I can eat one more thing right now.” I rub my stomach.
“Should we walk off all this food and do a little window shopping?”
I nod enthusiastically.
It’s been the perfect day date, almost entirely centered around food.
The food tour I wanted to book was sold out, and our fancy plans from last night fell apart because neither of us wanted to leave Skye behind.
Claud gets custody tomorrow, and the thought of Skye leaving us makes my chest ache.
Claudina is lucky she’s my godbaby and adorable.
Once they get their own dog, things will change, I bet.
Not wanting to leave her at home today, we shifted the plans, and it’s been a day of dog-friendly activities.
Starting with a long walk through Battery Park, breakfast in a heated tent in Tribeca for famous pancakes, and then we all jumped into a cab and began binge eating our way through the West Village.
When Nate returns from London next week, we’ve made plans with Harrison and Juliette for a double date at a restaurant we walked by earlier.
It was so quintessential New York; I knew I needed to eat there.
Perfectly tucked between two cobblestone streets, brownstones framing the windows. The awning was dark navy blue, with scalloped edges and chic script.
I’ve already texted Addie about half a dozen cocktail bars for a girls’ night.
Nate stands just as the busker in the far corner of the park starts playing Perfect by Ed Sheeran. He holds out his hand, and his eyes twinkle mischievously.
“Dance with me, Mads.”
“What?” I shriek, glancing at the crowds. “Absolutely not.”
“Madeline.” His tone turns commanding. “Get your cute ass up and dance with me.”
“What if someone takes a picture?”
He shrugs. “They’ll write about how Nate Davenport has incredible fucking moves.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
Still, I stand, albeit grudgingly.
He pulls me into his arms, and we begin to sway slowly to the music.
Our eyes are locked, and so much emotion swims behind those beautiful blue eyes of his that I suddenly get lost and forget the world around me.
The loud chatter, the cars honking—nothing can break this moment.
“I’ve missed you for a long time, Nathaniel.” I gently kiss his lips. “And I hate that so much time passed without you…without us.”
“We’re moving on with no regrets. It was all part of our plan.
” He stops, bringing me closer to his chest. “One day, we’ll tell our children and theirs that love, real love, is worth every obstacle.
That when you chase what sets your soul on fire, the good will always rise above the hard parts.
And you and me, Mads? We’ll always come out stronger.
Our love will always win,” he whispers tenderly, and my heart jolts at his beautiful words.
“Because we love each other endlessly,” I breathe.
He cups my cheek. I lean into his hand and close my eyes briefly when he brushes the pad of his thumb across my cheek.
“Our love is the only thing that matters to me in life. I’m a very wealthy man, Mads, but no amount of money has ever made me feel rich in the way you do.”
I tuck my face into his neck, kissing him there as his hand settles warm and steady against my back, moving us again with the music.
“You’re laying it on thick today,” I murmur.
“I’ve been saving my best lines for the right time,” he jokes.
When the song ends, we pull apart slowly. He pushes my glasses up and wipes away the tears I didn’t realize had fallen. “Happy tears?”
“Emotional happiness,” I say, smiling as I pick up Skye’s leash and give her another treat for being my perfect angel girl.
We’ve been shopping for the last hour, and now there’s only one stop left before Nate leaves for London.
I’ve finally worked up the nerve to visit my best friend’s memorial.
The courage it took to get here was pulled from somewhere so deep inside me, I didn’t even know it existed.
Apparently, Seb still can’t bring himself to visit either, and I understand that. Grief isn’t linear, and it sure as heck doesn’t come with instructions.
Mourning is a deeply personal act, never one-size-fits-all.
For me, Camila lives in my heart…and on my bedside table, where our photo will stay for the rest of my life.
But now that I’m in New York, I know this is a necessary step in my healing journey.
The one I’ve been avoiding. The one that will let me finally release the guilt, loosen the ache, and celebrate her life instead of only mourning her absence.
As we pass a bodega before getting into the car, I stop short. “I want to bring her flowers.”
I walk over and I pick up the gorgeous pink and orange dahlias.
Nate gestures toward the lilies. “Those are her favorites.”
I shake my head. “No, they aren’t.”
He crosses his arms. “I think I know what my sister’s favorite flower was.”
“And I know my best friend’s favorite flowers. I also know she lied to you and Seb, since the two of you always bought them for her. She didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
His brows pinch, considering my statement. “Seriously?”
I nod, smiling faintly. “That’s why the penthouse is full of dahlias right now. They’re not in season for long, so I buy them whenever I can. Her second favorite was garden roses.”
His eyes widen. “What? Lilies weren’t even second? I thought garden roses were your favorite.”
“They were ours.” I pull out my wallet, but Nate immediately pushes my hand away—just like he’s done ten times today.
“You do remember I’m an architect now,” I say dryly. “I make adult money.”
“I don’t care how much you make.” He pays anyway, then guides us toward the waiting car he hired to take us uptown.
We’re halfway there when Nate’s phone rings.
“Cunningcunt,” he answers, and I almost choke on my drink.
I glance at the rearview mirror, and the driver doesn’t flinch.
“You still call him that?” I shake my head, though I shouldn’t be surprised. When Nate, Leo, and Mase are together, it’s like we’re all teenagers again, back at camp.
Nate nods. “I have to remind him of his roots. Can’t let his ego make his head too big.”
That makes me laugh. “Please, his ego’s been big since he knew how to talk.” Mase’s laugh is loud enough that I hear it through the speaker. “Let me talk to him.”
Nate shakes his head.
I put out my hand in a “give me” motion, and he shakes it again.
Skye perks up, mistaking the movement for affection, and bumps her head into my palm. I, of course, oblige.
“Yeah. Five p.m.,” Nate says.
“What’s at five p.m.?” I ask.
He ignores me.
I poke his arm.
“Will you quit it, woman?” His eyes sparkle before he ends the call.
My mouth drops open. “What the hell, Nate? I wanted to talk to my brother.”
“He had to go,” he says easily. “He’ll call you later.”
Oh.
I miss Mase. He has a bye week, and I was hoping I’d see him, but his coach signed them up for some charity event instead.