“Hey, Tasha,” Serenity answered, giggling.
“Hey. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Yes!” Gabriel yelled into the phone.
“No,” Serenity countered. “Hush, Gabriel, and go make sure those brownies don’t burn. Sorry, girl.”
Natasha smiled, wishing she didn’t have any worries. “No problem. I can call you another time if you two are busy.”
“We’re not busy. Gabriel is just being Gabriel.” Serenity paused. “What’s going on? I thought you were having dinner with Antonio’s family today. Did it get canceled or something?”
“No. I went, but his ex-wife showed up.”
“Whaaat?What do you mean she showed up? Doesn’t she live in New York?”
“Yep.” She gave Serenity a play-by-play of the disaster.
“I can’t even imagine Antonio’s reaction.”
“He was beyond angry, and they went into another room to talk. It actually sounded more like an argument, and then he asked her to leave.”
“Wow. I can’t believe she’d just show up like that. Who does that kind of crap anyway?”
“I think she was hoping for a reconciliation, but Antonio shut her down.” Even now the memory of the woman conjured up all the insecurities she’d worked so hard to leave behind. She shifted on the bed and leaned against the pillows. “Part of me was so embarrassed, and it dredged up all the self-doubt I thought I’d left behind.” Dana had been there to support her during her high school years and Serenity during college.
“Oh, sis. I’m so sorry. Sweetie, don’t let her get inside your head. You can hold your own against any woman.”
“You didn’t see this one,” she muttered. “The woman came dressed to impress. I’ve seen a similar outfit, and I know it cost upward of a thousand dollars, not to mention her shoes.”
“Whatever.Anywoman. What did Antonio say when you told him?”
“Well,” she hedged. “I didn’t actually talk to him. I asked him to bring me home because I needed to think some things through. I was afraid I’d sound like a lunatic between being mad and hurt.”
“Girl, do I need to come over there and knock some sense into you?”
Natasha laughed. “No.”
“Apparently I do if you let that man leave without talking to him. I seem to recall a certain someone telling me the same when my fears got the best of me last year when Gabriel and I started dating.”
“That was different.” The lie even seemed hollow to her.
Serenity snorted. “Bull. It’s exactly the same. Actually, you and Antonio would have an easier time getting through this snag because you’ve known each other so long and were friends. You used to tell me that was one of the things you loved about your relationship—that you two could talk about anything even if it was uncomfortable.”
“Why are you always bringing up old stuff?” Natasha slouched against the headboard. She and Antonio did have that special bond, and she hoped she hadn’t messed it up.
Her friend’s sparkling laughter came through the line. “Because you need to hear it. Now stop acting up and get yourself together. You have a man you need to call…tonight. And miss me with the whole I’ll-call-him-tomorrow spiel. You can thank me later.”
“You’re lucky I love you. Otherwise I’d find myself another best friend,” she grumbled, knowing she could never replace the sister of her heart.
“Ha ha, I love you, too. Oh, and if you don’t straighten things out with him, I’m cutting off your chocolate-dipped-strawberry supply.”
Her mouth gaped. “That’s a low blow, sis. I can’t believe you. You owe me one of those brownies for this abuse.” They dissolved into a fit of laughter. Natasha wiped tears of mirth from her eyes, feeling much better. “Thanks, Serenity,” she said sincerely.
“Anytime. You’ve done the same for me. Maybe I’ll save you a brownie, after all. Let me know how it goes.”
“I will.” They chatted a moment longer, then ended the call.
She was angry at herself for letting a complete stranger rattle her. Serenity was right about Natasha and Antonio having history, but he also had a history with his ex. She could finally admit that deep down some of her fears stemmed from the knowledge that he might decide he wanted a second chance with Lori. After all, they’d been married before. With the way Antonio discussed his marriage, coupled with what occurred earlier, she didn’t think so, but she never thought they’d reconcile, either.
