Chapter 7
THE NEXT BEST THING
WILL
After I picked up Ivy from Natalie’s and found out she was divorced from Jason, my head was swarming with questions. When did this happen? Am I the homewrecker Madison called me? Is Natalie okay? Is there a chance for us now? Shit… what about Blake?
The moment I saw Natalie, I wanted to kiss her. My body still hadn’t caught up with my brain when it came to her. I needed answers, and I needed them soon. So, I did what I’d been holding back from doing all night—I sent her a text.
Will: I had no idea you got divorced.
The wait for her response felt agonizing. Every time my phone buzzed, I hoped it was her. Finally, her name popped up.
Natalie: Don’t you have a girlfriend?
Damn. She wasn’t letting me off the hook easily.
Will: Not the point.
But it was the point, wasn’t it? I couldn’t stop thinking about why she hadn’t reached out to me.
She must have been going through so much, and I could have been there for her.
I’d been through a divorce; I knew how isolating it could feel.
But deep down, I knew that wasn’t the kind of support I wanted to give her.
I wanted more than to be a shoulder to cry on.
I couldn’t help but wonder if she didn’t tell me because she didn’t want to lead me on. Maybe she thought I still wasn’t what she wanted—a man with four kids and a teenage daughter who would probably hate anyone I dated. Natalie had been clear before; she didn’t want the stepmom role.
But knowing she was single now made me restless. I wanted to run back to her house, knock on her door, and tell her everything I’d been holding back.
Then she texted me again.
Natalie: Can we meet Monday morning? My house this time? I’ll get the bagels.
Bagels and mornings with us. The thought of it made my chest tighten. We never even ate the bagels. I started typing a cheeky response but got distracted by a text from Blake.
It was a picture of her out with friends. She looked stunning, as always, polished, and flawless. Under the photo, she’d written, Miss you.
For most guys, Blake would have been a dream come true. But with Natalie on my mind, Blake was… second. No freckles on her nose, no spark that made my skin buzz.
I snapped out of it and responded to Natalie.
Will: Okay, we can talk Monday. And we’ll really eat the bagels this time.
Her reply came quickly.
Natalie: If you say so, William.
Was she mocking me? Flirting? Either way, I couldn’t stop grinning at my phone.
The weekend flew by in a whirlwind of soccer tournaments.
Chase and Carter had back-to-back games on Saturday, and Madison babysat Ivy while I went to watch.
Sunday rolled around, and Kelly took Madison horseback riding for some quality time, leaving me with Ivy to bring to the tournament.
It would make a long day with an eight-year-old girl.
Blake texted that morning, asking if she could take Ivy for a pedicure and some shopping. I hesitated, unsure how Kelly would feel about it, but after running it by her, she reluctantly agreed. “At least she seems more reliable than a babysitter,” Kelly said, her tone dripping with judgment.
I had to admit, Blake was trying. If I was serious about her—and that was a big “if”—she would have to mold into the role of a stepmother. That wasn’t negotiable. But even as I watched Ivy happily climb into Blake’s pristine Mercedes SUV, my mind drifted to Natalie.
Why weren’t we together? I knew the answer. Natalie had been honest about why it couldn’t work, she didn’t want to take on my baggage. Still, knowing she was single now reopened all the questions I thought I’d put to rest.
Sunday afternoon passed in a blur of games. Carter’s team made it to the championship, and between matches, I texted Blake to check in.
Will: Carter’s team won! Moving on to the finals. Kelly can pick up Ivy if needed.
Blake: We’re good! She’s having a blast. Look!
She attached a photo of Ivy grinning ear to ear, her tiny feet soaking in a pedicure tub, surrounded by shopping bags. Blake looked flawless in the photo, too, her smile confident and radiant.
On paper, Blake was everything a guy in my position could want—a twenty-nine-year-old stunner making an effort with my kids. But she wasn’t Natalie.
I made a quick decision, knowing Blake needed to get Ivy home, and gave her my garage code, telling myself I could always change it later.
Will: Thanks for taking her. Here is my garage code. 0707. See you at home.
Blake: Sounds great. Can’t wait to see you.
I started to feel a twinge of regret for letting her take Ivy all day. It was leading things in a direction I wasn’t sure I was ready for, but for now, I had to just roll with it.
After the championship game and a pizza celebration with Carter’s team, we headed home. Ivy was already there, showered and in her pajamas, practically glowing from her day out with Blake.
“Daddy!” she shouted, running into my arms. “Look at my nails!”
Her nails sparkled with pink glitter, and she couldn’t wait to show off her new clothes. “Blake says I look like a princess!”
“You are a princess,” I said, kissing her forehead. “You had a good day, huh?”
“The best!” she beamed.
After tucking Ivy into bed and checking on the boys, I went downstairs. Blake was still there, tidying up the kitchen.
“Wine?” she asked, looking hopeful.
I hesitated for a moment but decided it was the least I could do after her effort with Ivy. “Red or white?” I asked.
Her face lit up. “Red.”
I grabbed a bottle and started opening it, but my phone buzzed on the counter. A quick glance told me it was from Natalie.
Natalie: Still on for tomorrow?
I wanted to reply, God, yes.
Will: Yes, still works for me.
Natalie: Should I really get bagels?
I paused. The question was loaded with memories. Every time we’d had bagels before, they ended up forgotten while we tangled ourselves in each other. My mind raced with what tomorrow might bring.
Blake’s voice broke my train of thought. “Everything okay?”
Will: Nah, I’ll bring coffee.
Then I turned my attention back to the wine.
“Sorry about that,” I said, pulling out the cork. “I was looking for a special bottle from Spain but couldn’t find it. This one’s a close second.”
“Sounds perfect,” she said, settling onto the couch and motioning for me to join her.
I poured the wine and sat next to her, trying to focus on the moment.
She leaned in and shifted closer to me on the couch, her glass of wine perched delicately in one hand as the other rested lightly on my chest. “You know,” she said softly, “I could help you in the mornings with the kids if you ever need it. Make things easier.”
Her fingers began tracing lazy circles over my shirt, her touch warm but not quite enough to distract me from the thoughts of Natalie swirling in my head.
“Thanks,” I said, managing a small smile. “I’ve been managing fine for now.”
Her hand lingered on my chest, then began to drift lower. “I’d love to help more,” she murmured, her voice taking on a suggestive edge. Before I could respond, her fingers found the zipper of my pants and tugged it down in one smooth motion.
I froze, glancing toward the staircase instinctively.
“Relax,” Blake whispered, her lips brushing against my ear. She pulled a throw blanket over our laps, her devilish smile daring me to object. “The kids are asleep.”
“Ivy is, maybe,” I said cautiously, my heart thumping unevenly. “But the boys—”
She cut me off with a quiet laugh. “That’s why we have the blanket,” she teased, slipping her hand beneath it.
Her hand wrapped around me, her touch slow and deliberate. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the sensation, but my mind kept wandering. Her touch was skilled, her rhythm steady, but it didn’t spark the reaction I knew she was hoping for.
Blake leaned closer, her lips grazing my neck as her hand moved faster. “Just relax,” she murmured again, her breath warm against my skin.
I tried, but my body wasn’t cooperating. My mind kept circling back to Natalie, the way her touch used to make every nerve in my body come alive. This wasn’t the same.
Blake paused, sensing my hesitation. “Am I distracting you too much?” she teased, her tone light but with a hint of concern.
“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “You’re great.”
I kissed her softly, wanting to end things on a positive note. “I should get to bed soon,” I said, my tone apologetic. “It’s been a long day.”
Blake gave me a playful pout but didn’t push further. “Okay,” she said, releasing her hand off me, she sat up and smoothed her hair.
I zipped up feeling a little sheepish about the situation but could easily blame this on the fact that my kids were upstairs. This was not the time.
I escorted her to the door and followed to her car. Before leaving, she grabbed my face and kissed me deeply.
“I’m really falling for you, William,” she said softly.
I didn’t say it back. Instead, I kissed her again and promised to text her tomorrow.
That night, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts weren’t on Blake, or the day I’d just had. They were on Natalie. Her sweet smile, the way she used to look at me, the moments we abandoned breakfast for sex.
I wanted that back.
Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.