She studied me for a moment, then nodded. “She must be good if you’re still this insistent. I’ll reach out.” She leaned in. “But seriously, don’t fuck this up.”
I didn’t know if I was fooling myself by giving Natalie’s name to Lori. Maybe I was hoping it would bring her back into my world, even in a small way. I wasn’t naïve enough to think it would fix anything.
If Natalie said no, I’d understand. If she said yes… Well, I knew how she lit up when she was working in her design world. It was the one place where she seemed truly free. Watching her work was like seeing someone rediscover a part of themselves they thought was lost.
Selfishly, I wanted to see her in that light again. I wanted to see her happy, but it wasn’t up to me anymore. Lori hadher information. Natalie would make the decision.Whatever happens, happens.I rolled down the windows, letting The Stones roll over my speakers as I drove home again, absorbing the sea breeze whipping through the car. And for the first time in quite a while, I felt like I might believe whatever happened would be okay.
CHAPTER 54
A QUIET KIND OF HOPE
NATALIE
After making it through the hardest week of my life, I was finally starting to feel like I could breathe again, thanks to Meredith, Camille, and several cry sessions sound tracked to Taylor Swift’s latest album. They’d made every day bearable even when it felt like the weight of everything might crush me.
The first weekend alone, while the kids were at Jason’s, Camille refused to let me wallow. She stuck by my side, having booked that promised spa day for us at The Montage, keeping me distracted, and most importantly, sane.
I still had the kids most of the time, thanks to Jason’s demanding work schedule. But I knew I’d be away from them for a whole week when they went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with Jason for the Fourth of July. Meredith, of course, had already devised a plan to keep me from spiraling during that time. She insisted I come to the Hamptons with her.
“We’re going to Jack’s all-white party,” she announced as if it were non-negotiable.
I laughed at the idea, teasing, “I’m a wannabe Carrie Bradshaw at best, Mer. I’m not fabulous enough for the Hamptons.”
“You’re really thin, though,” she replied with a sly smile. “Silver lining to breakups.”
I rolled my eyes. “This isn’t a breakup. It feels more like death.”
She didn’t argue. “Then let’s celebrate your resurrection.”
Leaving Will was a pain I couldn’t even begin to process. It was as though I’d paused him in my mind, unable to face the reality of never seeing him again. I knew I’d eventually run into him, but I couldn’t bear the thought yet. Worse, Ivy and Bebe’s friendship was collateral damage in all of this. Planning a playdate felt impossible. It was too raw.
If I was honest with myself, I didn’t think Kelly was my biggest fan and none too eager for us to get the girls together. I understood.
In the meantime, I made plans for Bebe to meet a new friend, Charlotte, Charlie for short, a new girl in the neighborhood who would also be starting at St. Isidore’s in the fall. Her mom, Lauren, had reached out on the neighborhood Facebook page, looking for playmates for her incoming third-grader.
Lauren was easy to talk to, and as we got to know each other, I found myself genuinely enjoying her company. She told me her husband played football for the Chargers, recently traded from the Jets. With most of her family still on the East Coast, she admitted she spent a lot of time alone.
“It’s nice to meet someone real out here,” she’d said over coffee one afternoon.
I couldn’t agree more. Camille approved of her, too, which was saying something.
I poured everything I had into making the summer memorable for the kids. There were beach days, late-night swims, trips to Legoland and Disney. I wanted them to feel joy, even if their parents were figuring out a new normal.
One afternoon, while the kids settled in for a movie, I got an email notification from an unfamiliar name:Lori Levine.
Curious, I Googled her before opening the message. She was a well-known real estate developer in Orange County with a long list of impressive projects under her belt.
Intrigued, I clicked on the email.
Subject: Design Opportunity
Hi Natalie,
Lori Levine here. I’m spearheading a major project in Laguna Hills—a city center redevelopment—and your name came up as someone who could deliver exactly what we need.
We’re aiming for a chic, inviting design that blends equestrian elements with a modern coastal vibe. Think Joanna Gaines meets Hamptons sophistication. I’ve seen what you can do, and I think this project could be a great fit for your talents. Here’s the deal: we’re on a tight timeline, and I need someone who’s sharp, creative, and ready to hit the ground running. If you’re interested, let’s set up a time to meet this week and go over the details.
This is a big opportunity, Natalie—one that could open a lot of doors. Let me know if you’re in.
