I hit send and then spent the next twenty minutes debating whether the message sounded too casual—or worse, too eager.
Shaking off the thought, I went upstairs to take a quick Peloton ride, shower, and get ready for school pickup. As I was drying my hair, Meredith called again.
“Okay, I have time now,” she said. “Give me all the details.”
I filled her in, telling her about Lucas, about Will and the messy web I’d woven for myself.
“I think I need to give Lucas a shot,” I said. “He doesn’t have kids. No stepmother complications.”
Meredith snorted. “So, you had sex with Will, had a semi-breakup, and then had a family night? Natalie, come on. You know who the obvious choice is.”
“Teenage daughter. Four kids. I don’t want that,” I said. “I always pictured myself with two kids, not six.”
“Fair. But can you really get over Will? You two seem like magnets.”
“Not the point. He also has a girlfriend. And even if he didn’t, he could have anyone he wants. If it’s not her, there’ll be someone else. Lucas, on the other hand, is single and has no strings attached. I have a chance to explore something new.”
Meredith laughed. “You’re greedy with your hot men. Save one for the rest of us.”
We shifted to Thanksgiving plans. Meredith was coming to stay with me for nine days, and the kids would be with Jason for seven of them. It was going to be a long break from the kids, but Meredith would keep me occupied.
By the time I arrived at school, we’d wrapped up our conversation. I found a parking spot right away, a small miracle, and headed to the gate to wait.
Camille waved me over, and we chatted until Lauren joined us.
“What’s everyone doing this weekend?” Lauren asked.
“Solo for me,” I said. “Jason has the kids. But I have a date on Friday.”
Their heads snapped toward me in unison. “Really?”
“Yes, with this British businessman I met at work. He’s opening a new restaurant in The City Center.”
“Well, well,” Camille said, smirking. “Why don’t we come over to your house Saturday and have a girls’ night?”
“That could work,” Lauren said. “Jake’s out of town for a game in Denver, so I’d need a sitter.”
“I’ll see if Emily’s free,” I offered.
“That would be great,” said Lauren.
Camille nodded. “My nanny’s watching my boys. Tate is out of town too. Or maybe we need a night out instead. Let’s take Lauren to Bourbon House.”
The mention of Bourbon House made my stomach flip. Last time I was there, I ended up having sex with Will in the ballroom.
The children started coming out, cutting our conversation short. I spotted James and Bebe, and we said our goodbyes.
The evening was a blur of homework, dinner, and the usual bedtime routine. After the kids were asleep, I went over the design inspiration for the retail store. I wanted everything to be perfect for my meeting tomorrow.
Satisfied, I closed my laptop and climbed into bed. My fingers hovered over my phone, tempted to text Will and tell him how he’d been on my mind all day. But I stopped myself.
It was better this way.
Still, he crept into my dreams all night.
CHAPTER 11
THE NEW INGREDIENT
