Veronica was ten years younger, she redid every square inch of our home, and while she acted like we were her beloved daughters in front of him, whenever he wasn’t around, she ignored us or made us feel like we didn’t belong
She revamped every inch of our home, making it dark and gaudy. No wonder Meredith and I both spent so much time focused on making ourselves and our homes look the way we wanted them to look.
As soon as we were both old enough to go to college and move out, we did just that, realizing we could only rely on ourselves.
Meredith really was the most independent person I knew. She called the shots, and people listened. She was funny and brilliant. I was so honored she was not just my sister but my best friend. Right now, I needed her humor and charm to get me out of this sinking ship I felt I was sailing.
When Meredith arrived the next day, the kids were thrilled to see their cool aunt. She brought Bebe the cutest outfit and jewelry and more Legos for James. I don’t know how she had time to pick any of this up before she came, but she always was magic.
I told Jason, Meredith would be staying here for a week. All he said in reply was, “That’s great.”
But I think this also gave him the idea of staying at work longer with Danny, or maybe Shannon. He asked if it was okay if he went straight from his boy’s golf trip in Arizona to New York where he’d be meeting with Marcus for the next week. I said it was fine. I didn’t even care at that point. Meredith was here.
We spent the day relaxing in the hot tub and playing card games with the kids. Meredith took photos, which I loved. She knew how to capture memories in a way that you think only your soul can feel.
That night, we had a dance party with the kids, playing Taylor Swift and Whitney Houston super loud. Then after the kids went to bed, Meredith went into Jason’s office to look for some weed.
“He doesn’t have any of that,” I said.
“Sure he does. Over the summer, we got baked in here.”
I burst out laughing. “Always the last to know.”
“Jackpot,” she said, rooting around in his file cabinet. She pulled out a big fat joint.
We sat outside on the porch, started the fire pit, and got under some blankets.
“So,” she said, “Honestly, Jason is being a prick. I think we should get you some evidence on this Shannon girl, and then you go have a fling with that hot dad.”
“It’s not that easy. He has a bunch of kids, and I have kids to think about, too. We both come with a lot of baggage.”
She repeated the word, “Fling.”
“I don’t think he is a fling kind of guy.”
“Well, he is absolutely loaded and handsome,” she said. “I looked up every detail about him. Not that Jason isn’t those things, but Jason has a stick up his ass. He never has fun with you. Maybe he’s saving himself for fun with this Shannon.”
I scoffed. “We have fun. We had great sex last weekend. We did it on the couch.”
“Snore,” she said. “Will would do you wherever. Guaranteed. You haven’t been around the block. Your oats have not been sown, girl.”
Meredith went to get us some wine.
Me, I picked up my phone and flirted with Will. I knew it wasn’t good, but I did it anyway.
Natalie: Hey, you!
Will: I thought you were writing me off.
Natalie: I thought so too.
But I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss, that spark between us that hadn’t gone away, no matter how much I tried to ignore it.
Natalie: That kiss
A moment passed and then he wrote:
Will: I can’t stop thinking about what else I want to do to you.
