Chapter 11
INVITING TROUBLE
NATALIE
Christmas break was quiet. We spent a weekend in Big Bear, Jason on his phone most of the time while the kids were in ski school. I wandered in and out of little shops, sipped hot drinks, and waited for them all to finish. It wasn’t exciting, but it was peaceful.
Christmas itself was nice. Slow and simple.
My sister couldn’t make it out so it was just the four of us this year.
Jason’s parents hosted his brothers. Jason had too much going on with work for us to go to Chicago.
I was relieved to skip out on the big Bradford Christmas this year.
This was one time his work came in handy, I thought.
Now, with another week left before school resumed, I told the kids they could each have a friend come over. Bebe wanted Ivy. I was a little nervous about being around Will outside of school. God forbid I invite him in. Maybe Kelly would drop Ivy off, and I wouldn’t have to worry.
The fact I had developed a secret little crush on my daughter’s friend’s father was catching me off guard. But this was about the girls, not him. I had run out of excuses to delay the playdate.
Bebe knew Ivy was back in town after Christmas and a trip to Cabo with her mom. I wasn’t sure how to get in touch with Ivy’s mom since I only had Will’s number. So, after a moment of hesitation, I went to my phone to text him.
Natalie: Hi, it’s Natalie. Bebe is hoping Ivy can come over tomorrow. Would that work for you?
He texted back almost immediately.
Will: Hi Natalie! I’m sure Ivy would love that. She’s with her mom today and is supposed to come back to my house tomorrow evening. I’ll check with Kelly to see if she can drop her off. I can come pick her up around 5:30, if that works.
I waited a beat and then I replied.
Natalie: Sure. If you want to send me her number, I can text her to confirm.
When I texted Kelly, I kept it short and simple. She agreed Ivy would love to come over and arranged for her mother to drop her off, since she would be out riding with her oldest daughter the next day. Interesting. Kelly rides horses.
I gave the house a quick once-over. It felt silly since four kids were about to tear through it. But Ivy was coming over, and Will would be the one picking her up. At least I could keep the kitchen and entryway presentable. I even blew out my hair. No reason really.
Who am I kidding?
When Ivy and her grandmother arrived, the woman spoke very little. She looked like old money, she was probably stunning in her youth, and you could still see traces of that as she aged.
The girls ran off to play ecstatic with their reunion; the grandmother handed me a small overnight bag. “Can you give this to her father when he picks her up?” she asked with a cool smile.
“No problem,” I replied, smiling. I was trying to ignore the awkwardness I felt instead of wondering why I felt it.
James’ friend Liam came over a few minutes later. The house filled with laughter and chaos. The kids ran around, their giggles echoing throughout. Barbies, makeovers, dress-up clothes, Legos and cushion forts were scattered everywhere.
At five fifteen, the doorbell rang. It was Liam’s mom. By six, there was still no sign of Will. My phone buzzed with a text from Jason, who was flying back from New York. His flight was delayed, and he wouldn’t be home until late. Anxiety prickled at the back of my neck. Was this a test?
At six fifteen, a text came in from Will, apologizing.
Will: Hey Natalie, my son’s game went late. My apologies, I’ll be there shortly.
Natalie: No problem
He arrived at six-thirty, attractive as ever in a long-sleeved casual black shirt with light grey shorts. A backwards hat sat low on his head, blonde waves poking out just enough to mess with my focus.
“Sorry I’m so darn late,” he said, flashing me a smile.
“It’s fine. The girls are still playing,” I laughed.
I led him into my entryway, which smelled faintly like citrus from the candle I lit earlier.
“My boys went off with friends, so I get to have Ivy to myself tonight,” he grinned. “It’s time to transition from ‘sports dad’ to ‘Barbie dad.’”
The doorbell rang again. The pizza I ordered and almost forgot about.
I opened the door, thanked the delivery driver, and balancing the box in one arm, I reached with my other hand in my pocket to grab a tip.
But Will stepped forward and handed the driver cash, gently taking the enormous box from my arms.
He was just in time to avoid the stampede as James, Bebe, and Ivy followed their noses into the hall.
“Pizza!” Bebe shouted.
“Can I stay for dinner?” Ivy asked.
Bebe chimed in, pleading. “Please, Mom!”
I laughed. “Only if it’s okay with your dad.”
Will glanced at me, and for a brief moment our eyes locked.
I could’ve sworn he blushed. My own cheeks warmed as he said, “Thanks for the invite.”
Of course. He’d be staying, too.
I quickly grabbed plates and started passing out pizza. I cut up some fruit and veggies for a side dish, anything to keep myself busy, but I couldn’t stop stealing glances at him. I wanted him to look at me a certain way, and that thought filled me with a dizzying mix of guilt and exhilaration.
“Sorry for the wild energy,” I said, stepping aside Will, as the kids gobbled their meal.
“Are you kidding? This is great,” he said, tucking his phone away. “I love your home, by the way.”
He sounded so sincere that I felt a rush of warmth. “Thanks. I used to be an interior designer before I had children,” I said. “I loved making people’s homes their happy place.”
“Well, if you ever have time, I could use some help. I’m still settling into my new place. You know, newly divorced guy and all.” He said it lightly, almost jokingly, but there was an edge of vulnerability in his voice.
With a genuine smile and a hitch in my breath, “I’d be happy to take a look.”
When the girls finished eating, Will scooped Ivy into his arms and helped her with her coat. She smiled at him adoringly.
As they left, he turned back to me. “You have my number. If you want to take on a project, let me know.”
I stood in the doorway, watching them leave. Helping Will would be great, I told myself. I could be professional. Just help him with his house and keep things strictly platonic. Right?
I got my kids ready for bed, and when I finally crawled into mine, Jason still wasn’t home.
I stared at the ceiling but I wasn’t thinking about my husband.
I was thinking about the way Will looked at me, and the warmth in his voice when he said he liked my home, and the idea of helping him with his place.
It all left me with restless energy humming under my skin. Something I wasn’t sure how to quiet.
I heard the garage door rumble open. Jason was home at last, it was after ten. I closed my eyes. Was I going to pretend I was asleep?
The bedroom door cracked open, and I heard Jason move quietly through the room, his suitcase rolling softly across the floor.
I lay still in the darkness, the only light spilling in coming first from the dim hallway and now the bathroom.
I told myself I was already half asleep, that I wasn’t avoiding him.
But if that were true, why did I feel so relieved when he didn’t try to wake me?