Chapter 37
GRAND DEBUT
NATALIE
It was the day before the opening of Pier and Table, and every muscle in my body felt like it was running on high alert.
Weeks of preparation were about to culminate in a single night, and it needed to be flawless.
This wasn’t just a restaurant, it was the sum of vision and precision, each choice stitched together to mean something.
From the lighting to the table settings, each element carried weight.
I had checked, double-checked, and triple-checked the design, yet I still felt like something had slipped through my fingers.
The day stretched endlessly ahead, a blur of final walkthroughs, last-minute adjustments to the seating plan, and making sure each corner looked exactly as I had envisioned.
Lori was already on-site, no doubt armed with another list of changes from her end, and I had a nagging feeling Lucas would appear soon to weigh in with his own touches.
Having Meredith here this past week had been an absolute lifesaver.
She’d taken over helping with Bebe, keeping her entertained while I focused on the finishing touches for the restaurant.
Bebe was finally on the mend after her surgery, but I still worried about her being home all day.
Jason, to my surprise, had stepped up in ways I hadn’t expected.
He’d been taking James to school every morning while Meredith and Camille managed pickups.
James would spend the afternoons at home with us, a welcome burst of normalcy in the middle of all the mayhem.
Jason had even joined us for dinner a couple nights.
It felt like old times, it was… nice. Civil.
We were finding a rhythm I hadn’t thought possible.
He’d leave with James in the evenings, giving me space to concentrate on my work.
It felt good to have him close, even just as a co-parent.
It was an odd comfort, knowing we were doing this part right, even if our marriage had fallen apart.
One evening, I decided to ask him for a favor.
“Hey, would you mind taking both kids tomorrow night? Just for the night, so I can focus on the opening and not worry about rushing home.”
“Of course,” he said, his tone surprisingly easy. “I could take them for the whole weekend to give you a chance to recover. You’ll need it after a night like that.”
I felt a wave of relief but also a twinge of guilt. “That would be amazing, but are you sure? Bebe still needs a little extra care.”
Jason smiled. “I’ve got it covered. I’ll work from home Friday and keep an eye on her. And I’m not doing it alone, the babysitter can come by to help with laundry and whatever else, and Brooke offered to bring dinner.”
There it was—Brooke. I’d known her involvement was inevitable, but the mention of her name still caught me in the chest. Jason must have noticed the flicker of discomfort on my face because he added, “She’s good with the kids, Nat. You don’t have to worry.”
I hesitated, swallowing my pride. “Okay. If it makes things easier for you, she can come. I just…want Bebe to feel taken care of.”
“She will,” he said firmly. “I promise.”
After he left with James, Meredith found me sitting at the kitchen table, staring into my water cup.
“You, okay?” she asked, sliding into the chair across from me
“Yeah. It’s just weird. Jason being so…helpful.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“No, it’s not bad. It’s just…new. I’m not used to him being so available. It’s like he’s trying to make up for all the times he wasn’t, and it’s throwing me off.”
Meredith smirked. “Maybe he’s finally realizing what he lost.”
“I don’t know,” I said quickly. “He is being a good dad. He asked if Brooke can bring dinner. And honestly, I appreciate it. I need all the help I can get right now.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “Well, it’s big of you to let Brooke step in. But you know what’s bigger? Telling your kids about Will.”
I groaned.
“Nat, you’re juggling a million things, and I get that, but you can’t keep this part of your life in a bubble. They’re going to find out sooner or later.”
“I know,” I admitted. “It’s just…so much change at once. I’m trying to ease them into this new reality, but I don’t want to overwhelm them.”
Meredith reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “They’ll be fine. You’re a good mom. They know that.”
The next morning, sunlight poured through the windows as I stood at the kitchen counter, running through my mental checklist for the day.
The house was quiet, James was already at Jason’s house for the week, and Bebe was curled up on the couch with her blanket and her stuffed duck, quietly flipping through a book.
She was still moving slowly, her energy not quite back to normal yet.
Jason stopped by mid-morning, the familiar creak of the front door announcing his arrival. He stepped inside, set his keys on the counter, and glanced around. “I’m here for Bebe,” he said.
“Thank you for being so helpful,” I said, with sincerity. His assistance with the kids made me feel less guilty for being so focused on Pier and Table.
Bebe stirred on the couch, looking up when she saw Jason. “Hi, Daddy,” she said, her voice soft but happy.
Jason walked over and crouched down next to her. “Hey, princess. You ready for a relaxing day?”
She nodded, clutching her duck closer.
“The babysitter is going to come by later to help, and Brooke’s bringing dinner tonight. You just relax and let us take care of you.”
I joined them, kneeling to Bebe’s level and tucking her blanket around her for the car ride. “You’ll have fun, sweetheart. Be good for Daddy, okay?”
“Okay, Mama. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I kissed her forehead and stepped back as Jason carefully scooped her from the couch and carried her to the car.
Once Bebe was settled in her booster seat with her duck and books, Jason turned to me. “I’ll keep you posted on how she’s doing. Don’t stress about anything tonight, you’ve got enough on your plate.”
“Thanks, Jason. For all of this. For being so… steady lately. It’s nice to feel like we’re a team.”
Jason met my eyes, his expression serious but warm. “We are a team, Nat. I know I didn’t always show that before, but I’m trying.”
For a moment, I just stood there, taking in this new version of Jason.
This wasn’t the man I’d been married to, the one who was always rushing out the door or distracted by work.
This version of Jason felt present and dependable.
It wasn’t the same as love, but it was something solid, and something we could build on for the kids.
“Call me if you need anything,” I said.
“I will,” he replied with a small smile. “Enjoy tonight.” His tone was sincere.
As the car disappeared down the street, I turned back to the house.
A strange mix of relief and gratitude settled over me.
It was bittersweet to realize that Jason and I had finally figured out how to work together, when it was too late for us as a couple but exactly what we needed to be as co-parents.
With that thought, I grabbed my keys and my notebook. It was time to get back to Pier and Table for the final touches.
By the time I arrived at the restaurant, the space was already buzzing with activity.
Staff moved through the dining room, polishing glasses, adjusting place settings, and preparing for tonight’s soft opening.
Lori was in the corner with her clipboard, her sharp voice cutting through the noise as she directed someone to rearrange the centerpiece on the bar.
I dropped my bag on a nearby counter and grabbed my notebook, ready to dive in. This was my last chance to make sure everything was perfect before the doors opened tonight.
“Natalie!” Lori called, waving me over. “We have a problem with the lighting in the private dining room. It’s too harsh, it’s killing the ambiance.”
“On it,” I said, following her through the room. I spent the next hour adjusting details: checking the lighting, testing the music levels, and obsessing over every table setting. I couldn’t let myself relax, not when there was still so much to do.
Just as I was finalizing the arrangements for the outdoor seating, I spotted movement by the entrance. Will had walked in, looking handsome as always, but my stomach dropped when I saw who was with him. Lisa.
“Hey,” Will said, walking toward me with a coffee in hand. “Thought you could use this.”
“Thanks,” I said, accepting the cup but keeping my tone neutral. “What are you doing here?”
“I had to finalize some details with Lisa,” he said casually.
Lisa stepped forward, flashing a bright smile. “This place is stunning, Natalie. Really incredible work.”
“Thanks,” I replied, forcing a polite smile. “It will be fun to get moving on your space.” I lied.
I tried to stay focused, but Lisa’s gaze lingered on Will, and while I told myself it didn’t matter, it still made me uncomfortable. Before I could say anything else, Lori and Lucas came over together, both carrying their usual energy and efficiency.
“Natalie, we’ve got an issue with the dimmers,” Lori said, her words rapid-fire. “Lucas thinks the lights should be brighter for the opening, but I say it kills the mood. Thoughts?”
A wave of professionalism steadied me, like a lifeline.
“Keep it low,” I said, flipping open my notebook.
“The lighting is layered to draw people in and make the room feel intimate. If it’s too bright, you lose the warmth, and the energy falls flat.
Everything has been designed to flow from the entryway to the last table, and the light sets the tone. ”
Will lingered nearby, but I pretended not to notice as I walked with Lori and Lucas toward the bar. The conversation moved to logistics, and for a while, I was able to bury myself in the details.
When I finally turned back toward the entrance, Lisa and Will were heading out. Lisa gave me a quick wave, her expression cheerful. “See you tonight!”