“And don’t forget, come to the Hamptons for the Fourth. We’re doing this summer together, Nat. I’ll make a few more trips out here, too.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better sister, or a better aunt for the kids.”
She grinned. “You didn’t have to ask. Love you.”
After dropping her off, I forced myself to shower and dry my hair. I even put on a little makeup, trying to disguise the emotional wreckage written all over my face. I told myself it was just another day. Another school pick-up, nothing to worry about. But as I pulled into the parking lot and found a spot toward the back, a wave of unease crept up my spine. There was a good chance he wouldn’t even be there. He might have delegated pick-up to Kelly or his sister. But as soon as I stepped out of the car, I saw him.Will.
He was standing near the gate, casually leaning against the fence, as devastatingly handsome as ever in a black T-shirt, light shorts, with a ball cap on backwards. His blond waves were peeking out. That perfect face, sharp and sun-kissed, turned in my direction. Our eyes met, and I could’ve sworn my heart stopped for a moment, but I tore my gaze away, and looked down at my phone.
Just get to the gate. Keep walking.
I moved toward the crowd of moms, many in their tennis skirts, trying to lose myself among them. But I could feel him there, behind me. His presence was as tangible as the sun on my skin. The bell rang; a sharp jolt back to reality. Kids came trickling out of the gate, their laughter and energy filling the air.
I spotted Bebe and Ivy first, their arms linked, heads bent close in a shared secret followed by giggles. Just behind them came James, walking with Camille’s boys. Their little faces beamed with end-of-year excitement.
Suddenly, at a tap on my shoulder. I jumped, but it was just Camille, and her familiar warm smile eased some of my tension.
“Darling are you alright?” she asked, her voice low with concern. “Meredith filled me in while she was waiting to board the plane.”
“I’m okay,” I lied.
“Come over,” she said gently, touching my arm. “Bring the children. I’ll have something for them to nibble on, and you can have a drink. You need a friend,mon amour.”
I nodded, grateful. I drove the kids home to grab swimsuits and towels, glad of the distraction from my all-too-empty house.
Camille greeted us with her signature style, effortlessly chic in a breezy sundress, holding a tray of snacks and juice boxes for the kids. They didn’t waste a second before cannonballing into the pool. Their laughter echoed off the water.
While they swam, Camille served us a bottle of wine. “I assume we’re going to need this,” she said.
I laughed. “Maybe something stronger.”
“Oh, I have that too,” she said, pouring the wine, “but let’s start here.”
The wine was crisp and cool, a brief respite from the heaviness in my chest.
“You’re going to be alright, Natalie,” Camille said, her tone both gentle and certain.
“I know,” I replied, although my voice wavered. “I’m heartbroken. Over both Jason and Will.”
She nodded. “Fair.”
“Let’s talk about something else,” I said, desperate to shift the focus.
“We can do that. What about a girls’ spa weekend? The Montage. First weekend the kids are with Jason.”
“That sounds glorious,” I said, my shoulders relaxing at the thought.
“Good, because I already booked facials and ninety-minute massages.” Camille reached over, grabbing my hand. “We’ve got this.”
Camille never flinched. Never judged. Just stayed. Loyal. Steady. A true friend.
Out by the pool, the kids shrieked and laughed, splashing after each cannonball, and giggling through a loosely followed game of Simon Says. Their joy was so loud and contagious it brought a smile to my face. Maybe everything was going to be okay.
The last day of school arrived, bringing with it a flurry of activity, classroom chaos, end of the year gifts, and a big school-wide-mass to close out the year.
Jason decided to come with me to pick up the kids, making his first appearance at the school gate. The kids had a half-day, and the mass was the final event before dismissal.
I hadn’t realized how much of a production it was until we arrived. The parking lot was packed with valet attendants weaving between luxury SUVs. Inside, parents were dressed to the nines, outdoing one another in Chanel suits and Louboutin’s. I felt underdressed in my sundress and espadrille wedges.
