Chapter 9
FICTION OR FATE
WILL
Icouldn’t believe it. Natalie came into my life again so fast and was gone just as quickly.
Why did I let this happen? I should have known she wasn’t going to change her mind and suddenly be ready to move in, marry me, and take on the role I so desperately wanted her to have: my wife and stepmom to my kids.
I was willing to take on her children, no hesitation.
I know four kids is a lot to ask, and maybe I was a fool to think she could adjust. But she’s naturally great with kids.
I see the way Bebe and James light up around her, the way Ivy can’t stop talking about “Miss Natalie.” Madison?
Yeah, she’s a wild card, but I know Natalie could win her over. She’s too likable, too warm not to.
Still, here I am, sitting with the weight of what just happened between us. The way she felt today—her body, her warmth—it was everything I’d been craving. Being inside her felt like home, like coming back to a part of myself I’d lost.
And now I’ve gone and cheated on Blake. The woman who claims she wants it all—me, the kids, the messy chaos of my life. She doesn’t just say it; she shows it. But none of that seems to matter when I’m with Natalie.
Every moment with Natalie makes me feel alive. Her touch wakes me up in a way no one else can. How can I make her see that?
By the time I arrived at The City Center just after noon, I was still trying not to replay the morning in my head. Lori had called earlier, asking me to meet her in one of the vacant spots. She wanted to go over leasing plans before we brought in potential tenants.
I found her inspecting one of the storefronts, already imagining its future potential. “This space could be perfect for a boutique,” she said, her tone decisive. “I want Natalie to start designing concepts for it. She’ll know what to do.”
A few minutes later, Natalie walked in. She gave us a polite, professional hello, as if we hadn’t spent the morning devouring each other.
Lori studied her for a moment. “You look lovely,” she said. “Did you just get a facial?”
Natalie nervously patted her face. “Oh, thanks! No, it must be my new face cream.”
Or maybe it’s the multiple orgasms I just gave you.
Natalie’s eyes flicked to mine, a slight flush creeping up her neck. Did she know I was thinking it?
Lori led us through the space, outlining her vision. “Will, you’ve got a few prospects lined up, right?”
“Yes,” I said. “One of them is meeting us this afternoon.”
“Perfect,” Lori said. “Natalie, stick around to pitch your design ideas to the tenants. We need to wow them and make it impossible for them to say no.”
“Of course,” Natalie said, her voice steady despite the tension humming between us.
Lori gave us both a look that could only be described as don’t screw this up, then waved goodbye.
The silence that followed felt heavy. Natalie shifted uncomfortably.
“The tenants will be here around 1:30,” I said finally. “Do you have someone to pick up your kids if the meeting runs long?”
Her eyes widened. “Shoot. Thanks for reminding me. Let me make a few calls.”
She stepped away, phone in hand. I could hear her apologizing to someone—probably their sitter—who couldn’t help on such short notice. Then she called who I assumed was Camille, I could hear her saying into the phone, “you can’t bring two more kids to the dentist. I will figure it out, love.”
Sounded like that was also a no-go.
When she returned, she looked worried. “I don’t know if I can stay past two,” she said.
“I have an idea,” I said. “I’ll handle the lease pitch and the financials with the tenants. When I’m done, I’ll head to the school and grab your kids. You can hang back and focus on the design.”
Her brows knit together. “Won’t Ivy be confused?”
“No, she has choir today, and Kelly’s picking up the boys after lacrosse,” I said.
“But Bebe and James…”
“Bebe knows me. I’ll let her know you sent me. If there’s any confusion, we’ll FaceTime you. It’ll be fine.”
Natalie hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. I trust you.”
Her words felt like a lifeline, but I didn’t dare read too much into them.
The tenants arrived on time—two sisters looking to open their first retail shop. I gave them a tour of the space, explaining the square footage, leasing terms, and the vision for the center. By 2:00 pm, I handed things off to Natalie.
As they discussed color palettes and layouts, I excused myself and headed to the school to pick up Bebe and James.
When I arrived, I spotted Bebe scanning the crowd for her mom. I went over to her and crouched to her eye level.
“Hey, Bebe, your mom’s still at work. She asked me to come get you. Is that okay?”
James looked to Bebe for the answer, and she tilted her head, considering.
“Are we going to our house or yours?” she asked.
“How about mine?” I said. “And we’ll grab In-N-Out on the way.”
That sealed the deal. Both kids jumped up and down, cheering.
By the time we got to my place, they were happily munching on fries. I took a quick photo of them and sent it to Natalie.
Will: Meet at my house whenever you’re done.
Natalie: Thank you! The sisters are taking the space. Can you send over the contract?
Will: High-five, Bradford. Way to close the deal.
Natalie:
At my house, I had Bebe pull out her homework while James practiced his spelling words. “If you get everything done, you can play Nintendo.”
The promise of screen time worked like a charm. Just as we were finishing up, the doorbell rang.
“Mommy!” Bebe and James shouted in unison when Natalie walked in.
“Hi guys!” She said and gave them each a hug.
“Hey,” I said, my chest tightening at the sight of her. “Welcome to the party.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “Guess what? The sisters have a friend who’s a baker. She wants to see that corner space tomorrow.”
“Wow,” I said, genuinely impressed. “I should hire you. Two deals in one day?”
Her cheeks flushed, and she gave me a small, bashful smile.
“Mommy, can we stay and play Nintendo?” Asked James.
Natalie looked at me and said, “Only if it’s okay with Mr. Parker.”
“Of course,” I said. “Let me set it up for you guys. Follow me.”
After I got them situated, Natalie and I were alone in the kitchen.
“Want to stay for dinner?” I asked. “The kids already ate, but I was thinking of grilling some steaks.”
“Fancy,” she teased.
“How do you like it?”
“Bloody as hell,” she said, laughing.
“Okay, Mia,” I said with a wink, referencing “Pulp Fiction.”
“Don’t be a square,” she shot back, drawing an imaginary square in the air.
God, I think I loved her even more in this moment.
While I grilled, my phone buzzed. It was Lori, and I put her on speaker so I could keep cooking.
“Natalie’s really bringing my vision to life,” Lori said. “I appreciate the introduction.”
When I hung up, Natalie looked at me, her eyes soft. “You told Lori about me?”
“She asked who designed my place,” I admitted.
Natalie stepped closer, her hands lightly brushing my arms. “Thank you,” she whispered. She cupped my face, her lips pressing softly against my cheek.
I froze, wanting to pull her closer, but then my phone buzzed again. This time, it was Blake.
Natalie noticed the name on the screen and immediately stepped back.
“I should take this,” I said reluctantly.
“Hey,” Blake said cheerfully. “I was thinking of coming over tonight to finish what we started last night.”
I hesitated, trying to think of a quick lie, like the dickhead I was becoming. “I’ve got some work to catch up on, how about tomorrow?”
“Sure,” she said, sounding a little disappointed. “I’ll be thinking about you, Goodnight, William.”
“Goodnight,” I replied, hanging up.
When I turned back, Natalie was looking out the window, her features tight.
The steaks were done, and I carried them inside. “Dinner’s ready,” I said, setting the plates on the table.
“I think I should go,” Natalie said softly.
“Stop,” I said, my voice firm. “Eat with me. It’s still mooing, just like you wanted.”
She managed a small laugh. “Okay. I’m starving.”
After dinner, Natalie helped clear the plates, then called Bebe and James down to get ready to leave. I walked them to the car, wanting so badly to kiss her, to ask her to stay forever. But instead, I said, “Good work today.”
She smiled faintly. “You, too.”
As I watched her drive away, I wondered—like I always did—where our paths would lead.