Chapter 26
START ME UP
WILL
After Natalie’s emotional week, I felt like she was finally opening up to me. Seeing her mad at me for the first time, with her little fury bubbling at school, was strangely adorable. She looked so damn cute; she didn’t even realize it—but I did. And I was falling for her even harder.
When she shared about Jason meeting someone new, I felt grateful. It was a big step for her, and selfishly, I couldn’t help but wonder if this would nudge her toward letting herself move on.
The past few years taught me a lot about marriages—what works, what doesn’t, and what I could have done differently. I wasn’t an expert, but I knew one thing: with Natalie, I had to be patient. She was going through it.
By Saturday, I wrapped up work to clear my plate before the holiday mayhem. Lori had been hounding me about paperwork, and I made sure every detail was finished so she couldn’t breathe down my neck next week.
That evening, I had dinner plans with my sister Sarah, her boyfriend Todd, and Evan at a classic Newport spot, A’s Restaurant.
Tomorrow, Evan and I would settle in for a full day of football and beers, but tonight, I was cutting loose.
No kids. No responsibilities. I decided to Uber so I could let go properly and nurse the hangover guilt-free in the morning.
Dinner was filled with laughter. Evan kept us roaring all night, and Todd fit in like he’d been a part of the family for years. Toward the end of the meal, Sarah excused herself to the restroom, and Todd cleared his throat.
“Since we have a moment here,” he began nervously, “I wanted to ask for your permission to propose to Sarah.”
For a moment, I was stunned. Then I stood, hugged him, and said, “Todd, I didn’t think anyone would ever come close to being good enough for Sarah, but turns out you are.”
Todd’s eyes welled up, and Evan, for once, didn’t make a joke. He slapped Todd on the back and said, “Sarah is like a sister to me. I know you will take good care of her.”
“You have our approval,” I added. “But have you talked to the big guy yet?”
“I did,” Todd said, looking relieved.
Sarah returned just as we were regaining our composure. “Was someone crying here?” she asked, eyeing us suspiciously.
We laughed it off. I suggested a nightcap at Lido House, a bar nearby.
We played shuffleboard and kept the drinks flowing until Sarah finally announced, “Nothing good happens after midnight. We’re calling it.”
We waved them off and stayed a little longer, but Evan, unsurprisingly, was soon surrounded by a group of twenty-something women. While he worked the crowd, I decided to send Natalie a text.
Will: Hey babe, when can I see that big tee shirt again?
I half-hoped she’d had a few drinks and would invite me over. I knew her sister and friends were over.
Natalie: She’d love to wear her big tee shirt for you. Come over and bring your hot friend
I laughed, shaking my head, knowing this was Meredith. I nudged Evan. “We’re heading to Natalie’s.”
“All those women are married,” Evan said, narrowing his eyes. “I’m not messing with Derek Hartman’s wife. That guy’s huge.” Lauren’s husband was, indeed, a huge guy.
“Natalie’s sister is single,” I replied casually.
Evan’s interest piqued. “Does she look like Natalie?”
I shot Evan a warning look.
“She’s definitely your type,” I said with a grin.
“You owe me,” Evan muttered.
“I don’t think you will think that when you see her, she blows all these women out of the water. Just saying.”
I texted Natalie’s number back, (knowing it was Meredith on the other end) confirming we were on our way, and ushered Evan out as soon as our Uber arrived.
On the ride down PCH, I connected my phone to the car’s Bluetooth and blasted The Rolling Stones.
Evan and I sang along to “You make a grown man cry.”
When we arrived, we could hear music and laughter from the driveway. Meredith greeted us at the door, grinning. “Will and his hot friend are here!” she announced, earning cheers from Camille and Lauren.
Natalie appeared, slightly flushed from the wine, and gave me a warm smile. “Hi! Come in, come in!”
“This is Meredith, my sister,” she said, gesturing to Evan. “And you remember Lauren and Camille.”
“Hello, ladies,” Evan said with a grin.
Stopping for a beat, he locked eyes with Meredith and shook her hand for a second too long.
The house was alive with energy. Liquor bottles and snacks covered the table, and the smell of something distinctly herbal wafted from the back patio. I spotted Evan making a beeline with Meredith, who handed him a drink and led him outside, presumably to light a joint.
“Wow, you’ve got quite the party going,” I said to Natalie, leaning closer.
“It’s been a long week,” she admitted, her cheeks rosy.
Lauren announced her Uber’s arrival, lamenting, “Gameday tomorrow. I need to be functional.” Camille followed, laughing. “Can I get a lift, neighbour?”
I walked them to the car and talked to the driver. “Can you drop this lovely young lady a couple doors down first—and please, get them home safe.” I slipped the driver a fifty.
“Thanks, man,” he said with a nod. “You’re racking up some good karma tonight.”
I said goodbye to Natalie’s friends and waved as they pulled away, giving the top of the car a quick tap before it rolled off.
When I returned, Natalie and Meredith were belting out “Dancing Queen” at full volume. Evan handed me another drink and whispered, “Meredith’s cool as hell and very cute.”
I gave a half shrug, I didn’t need to say more. I knew his type. Pretty. Complicated. Confident. The kind that gets under your skin before you even realize it.
We ended up sitting around the living room, swapping childhood stories and laughing until we cried. At some point, I checked my watch, it was nearly 3 a.m.
“I’m pooped,” Meredith announced. “It’s 6 a.m. my time. I need one more hit to knock me into a slumber.”
“I’ll come with you,” Evan said, trailing after her with a mischievous grin.
Natalie turned to me, her eyes soft. “Let’s go to bed,” she said quietly.
I followed her upstairs, where her room felt warm and inviting, just like her. She disappeared into the bathroom, and when she returned, she was in a big tee shirt and shorts, looking naturally radiant.
She climbed onto my lap, her movements slow and deliberate, her lips finding mine in a soft, teasing kiss.
It started gently, but the heat between us quickly grew, her mouth moving to my jawline and trailing down to my neck.
I felt her breath against my ear as her teeth grazed the sensitive skin there, sending a shiver down my spine.
My hands slid under her shirt, fingertips skimming the soft curve of her back as I pulled her closer to me. The way she moved against me had me gripping her tighter, my self-control already slipping.
The tee shirt was the first thing to go, her skin warm and smooth beneath my hands. I kissed along her collarbone, taking my time, but she tugged at the hem of my shirt in frustration, pulling it over my head and tossing it aside.
When her hands moved to unbuckle my pants, freeing me completely, as she continued to remove them fully. She was a vision, straddling me in nothing but her shorts, her hair falling in soft waves around her face. I couldn’t hold back the low groan that escaped my lips.
I slid my hands down her sides, hooking my thumbs into the waistband of her shorts and easing them down, revealing more of her skin, inch by inch. She didn’t hesitate, leaning into me and grinding against me with a deliberate intensity that made me grip her hips tightly, anchoring her to me.
When she positioned herself and moved onto me, I couldn’t stop the guttural sound that escaped my throat. The fullness and heat of her wrapped around me was almost overwhelming. She gasped, her hands bracing on my shoulders as we found a rhythm, every movement perfectly in sync.
Her body moved fluidly against mine, her breaths quick and shallow as I guided her hips. I tilted my head back, savoring the way her body felt pressed so tightly to mine, the way she was utterly lost in the moment with me.
She leaned forward, her lips capturing mine again, her kisses wild and hungry now, her nails raking lightly across my chest. I held her closer, our movements quickening as the pressure built, spiraling higher and higher until it became impossible to hold on.
When we finally came, it was together. Her body tensed, and a soft cry escaped her lips as she collapsed against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I tightened my arms around her, pressing a kiss to her temple as we both struggled to catch our breath.
I kissed her tenderly, running my fingers through her hair, and gently shifted, laying her down on the bed.
She gazed up at me with a soft smile, and I couldn’t help but brush a stray strand of hair from her face.
For a moment, we stayed like that, entwined in each other, savoring the afterglow of the moment.
As we drifted off, curled up in each other, I felt at home.