Chapter 32
FAMILY STYLE
NATALIE
While I was on my way to Will’s to pick up Bebe, Jason called letting me know he’d be flying out early the next morning. He was using the company’s new jet which made switching flights simpler for him.
“All right, just make sure you’re actually back in time to help set up for Bebe’s party,” I said.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he replied. But his voice sounded distant, literally and figuratively.
We hung up just as I was pulling onto Will’s quiet tree-lined street. It looked idyllic at sunset. The golden light glinted off the big, beautiful homes. I parked in Will’s driveway, took a deep breath, and turned to James, buckled in the back seat.
“Stay in the car while I grab Bebe,” I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.
He nodded, already nose-deep in his iPad. I rang the doorbell.
Will opened the door with a big grin. “Hello, you.”
“Hey,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the way my pulse kicked up a notch at the sight of him in a faded T-shirt and jeans. Completely relaxed. Completely unguarded.
“Is Bebe ready?”
“Well,” he said, leaning against the doorframe, “I just ordered In-N-Out, and it’s going to be here soon. Apparently, Bebe’s favorite.”
“It is,” I admitted, smiling despite myself. “She’s a sucker for a cheeseburger.”
“I ordered extras, hoping you and James might stay.”
I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head. “And how do you know I’m alone tonight?”
“I don’t,” he replied with a shrug. His smile was soft. “Just offering.”
There was something about the way he said it, light yet hopeful, that made me relent.
“All right,” I agreed, feeling the familiar pull toward him.
I headed back to the car and said, “Change of plans. Come inside, kiddo.”
“Why?”
“In-N-Out,” I said, as if that explained everything.
His eyes lit up. “Okay!”
Inside, Will led us to the kitchen, where we sat around the island.
Before long, bags of burgers, fries, and shakes arrived, and we all dug in like a big, messy, imperfect family.
It was the kind of dinner you see in movies, laughter echoing off the walls, ketchup stains, and kids – mine and Will’s - trying to outdo each other with ridiculous stories.
It was hard not to picture us as one big family.
James perched next to Bebe and Will’s son Chase, halfway through his burger when Chase leaned in. “Wanna play Mario Kart after?”
James’s eyes darted to me. “Can I?”
“Go for it,” I said, realizing I didn’t really want to leave yet.
After dinner, the girls sprawled out in the theater room, and wrapping up in blankets, they started watching Minions. James and the boys disappeared upstairs with controllers in hand, their shouts and laughter drifting down faintly.
Will handed me a glass of wine and nodded toward the kitchen table. “Sit?”
I took the glass, feeling his eyes linger on me just a beat longer than necessary.
We sat across from each other, talking about everything and nothing, our kids, their quirks, and the strange world of school pickup.
“Have you noticed the moms who always stand in a little huddle, whispering and watching everyone else?” Will asked.
“Oh, you mean the gossip moms?” I replied, rolling my eyes. “I’ve seen them. I’m sure they know everyone’s business, definitely yours.”
Will laughed lightly. “Should I be worried?”
I teased. “They’re without a doubt talking about the hot divorced dad. They’re probably wondering if you’ll bring a date to the school gala.”
He raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Hot divorced dad, huh?”
I shrugged, pretending to brush that off. “Don’t act so surprised. You know they’re talking about you.”
He shook his head and laughed. But there was something softer in his gaze as he said, “Well, I would want you to be my date to the gala.”
His words were simple, but they hit me squarely in the heart. They were somehow so vulnerable.
I looked down at my glass but I could feel my lips tugging into a small smile just thinking about the impossible possibility of being his date.
Will let the silence settle between us, then he said quietly, “I like this. Just talking to you like this. It’s easy.”
“It is.”
“It’s rare,” he added. “To feel like someone actually sees you.”
“Yeah,” I said, “It is.”
It was moments like these that undid me, so easy, so dangerous, and so right.
At some point, I checked the time. “We’ve overstayed our welcome,” I said, half-laughing as I finished the last sip of my wine.
“You’re always welcome,” he said, softly but firmly. His expression was so open it made my chest ache.
He looked like he wanted to kiss me. My body leaned forward almost instinctively, the magnetism unspoken but undeniable. For one breathless moment, I wanted nothing more than to close the space between us.
Then Will’s phone buzzed.
He frowned, his face growing serious as he answered. “Hello?” He listened for a moment, his expression hardening. “I’ll be right there.”
“What is it?” I asked, already sensing something was wrong.
“It’s Madison. She’s been drinking at some boy’s house across town. I need to pick her up.”
“Go. I’ll stay here with the kids.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Go.” I insisted, waving him toward the door.
“Thank you.” The relief in his voice was clear.
He grabbed his keys and left.
I checked on the kids. The girls were fast asleep, tangled in blankets. Upstairs, James was slumped over a game controller on the floor. Chase and Carter looked up as I walked in.
“James is a cool kid,” Carter said.
I smiled, scooping James up. “He’s a keeper.”
I carried him downstairs, his little head resting on my shoulder, and settled him next to Bebe in the theater room. The weight of his tiny body against mine made my heart ache. It had been so long since I’d held him like that.
Will returned a little after ten, guiding Madison inside. She was clearly drunk, unsteady on her feet.
“I think I’m going to throw up,” she muttered.
Will’s jaw clenched, but his voice was calm as he led her toward the bathroom. I followed instinctively.
As soon as we reached the bathroom, Madison started vomiting. Will crouched next to her, rubbing her back. I knelt beside them, gently holding Madison’s hair out of her face.
“It’s okay,” I whispered as her body trembled. “You’ll feel better soon.”
When she was done, she slumped against the counter, tears streaking her flushed cheeks. “I’ll help her shower,” I offered quietly, glancing at Will.
“Thank you. I’ll check on the boys.”
Madison didn’t protest as I helped her into the shower, though she barely seemed aware of what was happening. Afterward, I wrapped her in a towel and guided her to her room, tucking her into bed.
“Thanks,” she murmured as her eyes fluttered shut.
Back downstairs, I found Will slumped in the kitchen looking wrung out.
“I should probably get my kids up and go home,” I said softly.
“Or stay,” he said, surprising me.
“With all the kids here?” I asked, trying to gauge his seriousness.
“It’d be a PG night,” he said with a small, tired smile. “I’ll give you my room and take the couch.”
I hesitated, weighing the reality of leaving versus the quiet comfort of staying. “All right, but I don’t have pajamas.”
He disappeared and returned a minute later, holding a T-shirt and a pair of Madison’s shorts.
“I don’t know if I can get my ass in these,” I said, laughing despite myself.
“Give it a shot,” he replied, grinning.
We stayed up for another hour, sitting on the couch, talking and laughing as the house fell silent around us.
It felt natural, like we’d done this a hundred times before.
The wine was long gone but I felt intoxicated by his presence.
At some point, my eyes grew heavy, and I drifted off against the arm of the couch.
I woke early to the soft sound of birds chirping outside. Will was still asleep, his face relaxed, and for a moment, I just watched him. He looked so peaceful, so unguarded, and I wanted nothing more than to slip under his arm and into that space that felt like it was made for me.
Then reality pressed down. I couldn’t stay here, couldn’t let myself get lost in this moment, no matter how much I wanted to.
The house was still quiet, bathed in the pale light of early morning. I slipped off the couch, careful not to wake him, and grabbed my things. As I tiptoed through the hallway, pulling my sweater back on, I nearly collided with Madison.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice sharp, suspicion etched across her face.
I swallowed. “Bebe was here for a playdate, and your dad had to leave to pick you up. I stayed with the kids.”
“And then you slept over?”
“It just got late,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Her eyes narrowed. “Where’s your husband?”
Before I could answer, Will appeared.
“Madison, that’s not how we talk to adults.” His voice was gentle but firm.
Madison crossed her arms, glaring at him. “She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she?”
“Not exactly,” Will said, his voice careful as he glanced at me.
“Right,” I murmured, suddenly eager to escape.
I headed upstairs to wake Bebe and James, leading them to the car as quickly as I could. As I buckled them in, Madison’s voice drifted through the open front door.
“You’re a homewrecker,” she muttered.
Will’s reply was quiet, but the damage was done.
On the way home, I stopped at McDonald’s for breakfast. Fast food for two meals in a row. It was undeniably not a Mom-of-the-Year move, but at that point, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
When we got home, the kids shuffled upstairs to shower. At ten, Jason texted.
Jason: Just landed. Be home soon. Can’t wait to see you.
I stared at the screen, guilt pooling in my stomach like a stone.
A second message buzzed in.
Will: Sorry about Madison.
I stared at it for a moment before deleting it without replying. Then I headed upstairs to shower, scrubbing my skin as if I could wash away the weight of everything.
I was so tangled in this mess now, so deep in it that I couldn’t see a way out. Truth was, I was falling in love with Will, and I was pretty sure he felt the same way about me.