Chapter 22
THE ONE I WANT AND THE ONE I SHOULD WANT
WILL
Madison was planning to stay the whole weekend at my place.
I was shocked she wanted to hang with me on a weekend evening.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed this, just having her around, even when we weren’t doing anything special.
Since the divorce, she was more distant, and I felt like I failed some unspoken test by not fighting harder for her mom, the one she always defended.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I just let Kelly go.
No word back from Natalie yet. Not that I expected to hear anything.
Her husband was probably home. It made my stomach hurt, knowing she was probably sharing her life with him.
I wondered if he noticed the little freckle on her nose like I did.
I shook my head and leaned back on the couch.
Jesus. I was starting to sound like a Nicholas Sparks character. What was next? Crying in the rain?
Madison and I went to Mastro’s for dinner. She ordered her usual petite filet with garlic mashed potatoes. We were seated by the windows, and by the time our drinks arrived, the sky outside had started to turn shades of orange and pink.
Madison glanced out the window. “That’s so pretty.”
The sunset bathed the whole restaurant in amber light, the kind that made everything look softer.
“Yeah,” I said. “This never gets old.”
She nodded, still watching the sky.
I added, “I’m glad we get to enjoy this together.”
She gave me a faint smile. Her big blue eyes drifted back to the sky, and her smile widened just a little.
We took dessert to go and watched Kill Bill at home. She hadn’t seen it yet, and mentioned a friend told her it was “a banger,” which is apparently a good thing. I got the hint that this friend was a boy.
The next morning, I received a lengthy text from Kelly.
Kelly: You are violating the court schedule. Madison needs to come home today. I’ve been more than flexible. Don’t make me escalate this.
I signed and rubbed the back of my neck. I texted back.
Will: I will talk to her. Let’s not make this a thing.
I thought about texting her about having the kids meet her boyfriend before running it by me. I decided Kelly would then definitely escalate things and I didn’t need the headache.
When Madison woke up, I threw some frozen waffles in the toaster and laid out some orange juice and strawberries for her.
“Hey, so your mom wants you home today. It’s going to get me in trouble if you don’t go back.”
She looked at me, narrowing her eyes. “Didn’t you talk to her and tell her I have no interest in meeting this guy, Jeff?”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. “I’m really just the messenger,” I managed.
Kelly kept calling both our phones until Madison finally called her back. I heard her voice grow whiny and mad and then a final loud, “Fine!” from her end.
After that, she gave me a quick hug and gathered her things. “Dad, I know I’ve been hard on you, but you’re not all bad.”
I chuckled. “Not all bad, huh? You can talk to me anytime. I know this is hard on you guys, especially you, and I’m always here for you.”
I opened the door of her little white Audi A3, the one I’d bought for her birthday. I stood there with a brief wave and watched until her car disappeared.
Just like that, I was alone again.
I met my parents for dinner at the club. The food was good, the conversation less so.
“Look at Jessica,” my mom said, sliding a folded piece of paper toward me. “Suzanna and Robert Chote’s daughter. Recently divorced. No kids. Very put together.”
“Nice family,” my dad added, as if reading from a cue card.
I took the little paper with her number on it and nodded like I was interested. I wasn’t planning on calling her. Not when I couldn’t stop thinking about Natalie. The way everything shifted when she was near.
I was starting to wonder if I would hear from her again. There was the possibility that she decided she was better off staying in her marriage. Maybe almost getting caught by Madison was a wake-up call to her. Maybe she was hitting the emergency brake.
And then a few days later, I finally heard from her. Not a text. A formal email.
Subject: Kids Room Install-Friday
Hi Will,
I found a few more pieces I think will work well in your children’s rooms. I’ll have everything delivered this week. Would Friday around noon work for me to come by to install everything? You don’t need to be there, I just need access.
Also, I will be dropping off some additional samples later today, if that’s okay with you.
Best,
Natalie
I wrote back immediately.
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for the update. Everything sounds good. I will be home on Friday and would like to be there when you come by if that works. Noon is perfect.
And yes, feel free to drop off the samples later today. I’ll be around.
Will
This felt like we were playing a game and neither of us knew the rules.
I wondered if she would show up as business Natalie… or the version of her that had nearly undone me in the kitchen.
When I saw her, I saw she was projecting a mix of both. She wore jeans and a soft black sweater, her hair pulled back like she didn’t want to look too nice, but she still did. She held a large canvas bag filled with sample boards and fabric swatches.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” I replied. “I’m really sorry about Friday.”
“Don’t be,” she responded quickly. “Children come first.”
“I know, but…what was about to happen…”
She looked at me with a jumble of emotions behind her eyes; fear, disappointment and longing but at the forefront was a clear warning she didn’t want to discuss it. “I’m sorry. I got carried away. We need to stay professional.”
“Okay,” I said, taking the samples.
“I’ll be back on Friday at noon with the other items,” she said without taking a breath.
And that was it. She left in a hurry, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of rejection. I knew this could happen, but I felt hurt anyway.
Later that evening, my mom texted me, following up to see if I’d reached out to Jessica. Apparently, her mom mentioned I hadn’t called yet. Fine, I thought. I’d reach out to Jessica. Maybe that was what I needed to get over Natalie.
I decided to call like a gentleman. Jessica picked up after a few rings. We chatted a little, and she apologized for the whole thing, admitting that our mothers were pushing this. All the same, we made a date for the following Friday, once again at Bourbon House.
There, I was moving on.
My phone buzzed. It was Evan.
Evan: I got Laker tickets for tomorrow. You interested?
It was exactly what I needed to snap out of it.
Will: Definitely.
After a showing at a few buildings for a startup client, I closed the deal and headed to grab Evan for the game. Crypto Arena was packed. Energy buzzing, fans everywhere. Evan scored us lower bowl seats.
“How did you get these seats?” I asked as we made our way down.
“One of my students. The kid’s dad is in media relations for the team.”
“Of course he is,” I said, shaking my head. “You and your surfer Rolodex.”
We settled in with beers and plastic trays of nachos with lukewarm cheese. Evan took a sip of his beer and adjusted his hat.
“So what is the latest with the married hot mom?”
“Nothing to tell. She dumped off some samples for my house. She wants to keep it professional.”
“Cold,” he said. Popping a chip in his mouth. “But if she is working on your house, she will be back for more. I have not met a girl who has turned you down yet.”
“Well,” I said with an ironic chuckle, “she was pretty clear. And she is married. So… I think it’s done.”
Evan raised his beer. “If you say so.”
But even as I said it, I wasn’t sure I believed it.