“Is that so?” Will said, grinning at them before looking at me.
The corners of my mouth lifted, a warmth stirring inside me.
While the girls said their goodbyes, I glanced back at Will, into the deep pool of his baby blues, instantly feeling like he could see straight through my soul. I looked away before he could read every thought I was trying to hide.
After they left, I got the kids ready for bed and tucked them in. When I went to my room, my heart still unsettled from the way Will’s presence lingered in me. I reached for my phone and had texts from Camille and Lauren on our group thread.
Lauren: Did you get a goodnight kiss?
Camille: Tell us everything. Don’t leave out any details.
I rolled my eyes, laughing.
Natalie: You guys are too much.
I set my phone down, another text came through.
Unknown Caller: I had no idea you got divorced.
It was an unknown number. But I knew who it was.Will.I had deleted his contact info back in the spring when our affair ended.
I stared at the screen, my heart racing again. If I replied, was I opening a door I’d already closed?
CHAPTER 7
THE NEXT BEST THING
WILL
After I picked up Ivy from Natalie’s and found out she was divorced from Jason, my head was swarming with questions.When did this happen? Am I the homewrecker Madison called me? Is Natalie okay? Is there a chance for us now? Shit… what about Blake?
The moment I saw Natalie, I wanted to kiss her. My body still hadn’t caught up with my brain when it came to her. I needed answers, and I needed them soon. So, I did what I’d been holding back from doing all night—I sent her a text.
Will: I had no idea you got divorced.
The wait for her response felt agonizing. Every time my phone buzzed, I hoped it was her. Finally, her name popped up.
Natalie: Don’t you have a girlfriend?
Damn. She wasn’t letting me off the hook easily.
Will: Not the point.
But it was the point, wasn’t it? I couldn’t stop thinking about why she hadn’t reached out to me. She must have been going through so much, and I could have been there for her. I’d been through a divorce; I knew how isolating it could feel. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t the kind of support I wanted to give her. I wanted more than to be a shoulder to cry on.
I couldn’t help but wonder if she didn’t tell me because she didn’t want to lead me on. Maybe she thought I still wasn’t what she wanted—a man with four kids and a teenage daughter who would probably hate anyone I dated. Natalie had been clear before; she didn’t want the stepmom role.
But knowing she was single now made me restless. I wanted to run back to her house, knock on her door, and tell her everything I’d been holding back.
Then she texted me again.
Natalie: Can we meet Monday morning? My house this time? I’ll get the bagels.
Bagels and mornings with us. The thought of it made my chest tighten. We never even ate the bagels. I started typing a cheeky response but got distracted by a text from Blake.
It was a picture of her out with friends. She looked stunning, as always, polished, and flawless. Under the photo, she’d written,Miss you.
For most guys, Blake would have been a dream come true. But with Natalie on my mind, Blake was… second. No freckles on her nose, no spark that made my skin buzz.
