I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. I ended it. I chose my family.”
Camille tilted her head, her expression softening. “And how’s that going? You and Jason? Is the divorce final? I feel like I missed so much while I was gone.”
I smiled. “You kind of did. I missed you. And yes, it’s final. That chapter has closed.”
“I missed you too,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Six weeks visiting family in France sounds glamorous until you’re dying for your own bed and someone who actually gets your jokes.”
I laughed softly. “Well, while you were off sipping Lillet cocktails and posting sun-kissed photos from Paris, I was figuring out life as a sort-of single mom.”
“And?” she asked gently.
“It’s... working. Surprisingly well. Separate lives, but we’re aligned when it comes to the kids. The summer was smooth, no big drama, no tension. The kids are happy. That’s what matters.”
Camille gave me a look that was equal parts encouragement and caution. “I’m glad. Truly. You deserve peace after everything.”
I nodded, taking a slow sip of coffee. Peace. That’s what I’d been craving. So why did it still feel like something was missing?
Jason and I had come a long way since spring. After everything came out—his kiss with Shannon, my affair with Will—it felt like the end. But as the weeks turned into months, we found a way to coexist.
Jason moved into a condo a few miles away, and we agreed on a schedule that worked best for the kids. The arrangement turned out better than I expected. He adjusted his travel to be more present, and I worked hard to make the kids feel stable, no matter whose house they were at.
The holidays would be the real test. But for now, we were okay. I didn’t resent him anymore. The anger I’d held onto had dissolved, replaced by something quieter. Acceptance.
Still, seeing Will again had shaken something loose, something I wasn’t ready to face. I’d told myself it was over. What we had was intoxicating but fleeting. Something that couldn’t survive the weight of real life.
So why did it still feel unfinished?
Camille reached across the table, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Earth to Natalie. You, okay?”
“Yeah,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “I’m fine.”
She gave me a look but didn’t push. “Good. Now, let’s talk about something that doesn’t involve men.”
“Great idea,” I said.
We moved into lighter conversation, including dissecting the latest episode of “Selling Sunset” like Chrishell was our best friend.
It felt good to be back into a routine. Summer had a way of taking over. It was nice to return to the simple stuff. After saying goodbye, I carried on with my day—grocery run, folding laundry, sketching ideas for a new design project.
But that night, after the kids were asleep, I found myself scrolling aimlessly through my phone. I had deleted Will’s contact, but at that moment, I regretted it.
I tossed the phone aside and sank back into the couch. This wasn’t who I wanted to be—a woman clinging to what was already over, torturing herself with what-ifs.
But when I closed my eyes, there he was again.
Unbidden. Unwelcome.
Will.
Always Will.
CHAPTER 2
RAMBLE ON
WILL
Iknew I was going to see Natalie. What I didn’t know was how I’d feel when I did. Turns out, all the feelings came rushing back—the magnetic pull, the emotions I thought I’d buried over the summer. And honestly? I set myself up for this. I’d given my colleague, Lori, Natalie’s information so they could discuss The City Center renovation. So even if our girls weren’t in the same class at school, our paths were guaranteed to cross.
