I glanced at the clock. Shit. It was 8:20.
I needed to pull it together. Normally, I was more responsible than this. I looked out the window and saw the snow was coming down hard.
I had a flight this afternoon. The kids’ Christmas concert was tonight. Natalie didn’t ask much of me, but she had asked for this. I had to be there.
Barely making it on time, I met Danny and our newest client, a stern, no-nonsense Italian guy from the suburbs of Chicago.
The meeting was intense. We went back and forth over numbers, neither side budging. I checked my watch. If this dragged on much longer, I’d be cutting it close for my flight. And dipping out early would look bad.
The snow outside thickened. Natalie texted me, reminding me about tonight. Sweat beaded at my temples—not sure if it was the heat in the room, the intensity of this guy and his crew, or the last traces of booze still in my system.
Finally, we closed the deal. I shook hands, made my exit, and bolted to the airport. Now I just had to beat the storm home. The snow was falling harder. The roads to O’Hare were a mess. Natalie had only asked me for this one thing this week. For Bebe and James.
I grabbed my bag, pushed through the revolving doors, and told myself I could still make it. As I stepped outside into the storm, the snow was getting heavier and heavier, and time was slipping fast.What if I didn’t make it back in time? Would I be letting everyone down, or had my absence already become the norm?
CHAPTER 8
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SECRETS
NATALIE
Thanksgiving was over and school resumed in December. The days were filled with holiday festivities—visiting Santa, admiring Christmas lights, and preparing for the school concert. Despite the seasonal cheer, I found myself preoccupied. I hadn’t seen Will much on campus lately. Sometimes it was Kelly who picked up their kids, other times his sister Sarah, and occasionally an older woman who I assumed was their grandmother.
I wondered if he would be at the concert.
The holiday concert was a big deal at Saint Isidore’s. The school gym was transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and poinsettias lining the stage. This year it was scheduled for a Thursday evening at six. I made sure to let Jasonandhis secretary know the details. He was coming from Chicago and was supposed to land at John Wayne Airport around two-thirty, leaving him plenty of time to make it.
At one p.m., he texted me to say the weather looked bad and his flight was delayed. I was irritated but figured he still had time. An hour later, he told me there was still no sign of his plane taking off. By four-thirty, I was beyond annoyed and didn’t even want to hear his excuses.
Jason: I’m so sorry. The weather here is crazy. You know how winter storms can be. It doesn’t look like I’m getting out of here anytime soon.
I didn’t even respond.
Instead, I focused my energy on getting Bebe and James ready. I curled Bebe’s long sandy hair and placed a perfect little bow on the side of her head. She looked darling. She asked me to wear some makeup, and I agreed a little blush and lip gloss would be suitable, it was a special occasion.
James on the other hand, was a whirlwind. I waited until the last minute to put his clothes on so they wouldn’t get wrinkled. Then I gelled his hair to the side, marveling at how much he looked like Jason. He had my nose, though, with a smattering of freckles. I snapped a few photos of the kids before we headed out, determined to make the best of the evening without Jason.
Camille and her family were driving by and pulled into my driveway just as we were about to leave.
Her husband, Tate, offered to drop all of us off at the door, so I wouldn’t have to wander around looking for parking on my own.
“Hop in!” she called, waving from the passenger seat.
I wasn’t about to decline.
Traffic into the school lot was as chaotic as I’d expected. It seemed like every family at Saint Isidore’s was there. Jason sent another text around six, confirming his flight wouldn’t leave until the following morning. I ignored it. He knew I was upset; Iwas annoyed not just at his absence but at the predictability of it all.
Inside, Camille offered to take James with her twins to their classroom. I kissed James on the forehead and thanked her, then I walked Bebe to her room.
Will stood near the doorway, hugging Ivy. He looked good. Too good. Disarmingly handsome in a sweater that fit just right. My heart skipped.
Bebe ran over to Ivy, and the two girls began complimenting each other’s outfits. A group of other girls joined them, squealing over shoes, jewelry, and makeup. Their excitement lit up the room. I laughed softly, catching Will’s eye.
“Your shoes look great, too,” he said with a grin.
I laughed lightly, probably blushing.
“Can I walk you to the gym?” he asked.
