“Will,” I said, hesitating, “do we need time to figure things out? Tonight just felt… messy.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” he admitted.
“Every time we get close, the reality sets in,” I said, my voice cracking.
“You knew about Blake,” he countered. “This wasn’t out of left field. I’m just an idiot for not ending it sooner.”
“Okay, fair,” I said, exhaling. “But let’s make sure we’re being safe about this, for our kids’ sake.”
“I can live with that,” he said, his tone lightening. “So… is dinner and our sleepover off for tonight?”
I laughed despite myself. “I think I need a rain check.”
“I’ll miss you in your big tee shirt and shorts,” he teased. “I’ll keep them safe for you.”
“Thanks,” I said with a soft laugh. “Goodnight, Will.”
“Goodnight, Natalie.”
After we hung up, I felt a little better, but also completely drained. I wandered into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl of yogurt, eating mindlessly as I replayed the night in my head.
Just as I finished, my phone buzzed. A text from Lucas.
Lucas: Hey, Natalie, I wanted to see if I could take you to lunch one day this week.
Shit.I’d completely forgotten about him.
Another text came in, this one from Jason, asking if we could meet for coffee on Friday. I quickly checked my calendar and replied to Jason.
Natalie: Sure, 10 a.m.?
Jason: Works for me.
He attached a picture of Bebe holding her science project.
Natalie: Wow, I’m impressed.
I wrote back, feeling a pang of longing for the kids. He hearted the message, and that was that.
Even though the break this weekend had been nice, I missed James and Bebe. It had been such a roller coaster, more emotions and drama with men than I ever imagined I’d be dealing with at my age.
The next morning, I woke to my alarm at 7:30, feeling slightly more rested but still worn out. I went through my morning routine, grateful not to have to drop the kids off at school.
After a quick Peloton ride and some emails, I headed to The City Center to check on the bakery. Lori was waiting for me, clipboard in hand and a familiar look of exasperation on her face.
“Natalie,” she started, “we’ve got a problem. The flooring samples need approval by Thursday, and the timeline for the custom counters just got pushed. Also, we need to decide whether to pivot to the alternate light fixtures, or the electricians will be sitting on their hands by next week.”
I nodded, my brain scrambling to keep up. “Okay, I’ll look into all of this right away,” I said, forcing a smile.
As I left, I spotted Will leaning against the side of the building, his phone in hand. He looked up as I approached, his face lighting up with a smile that used to make my stomach flip. Now, it just made me feel… complicated.
“Hey,” he said, slipping his phone into his pocket and walking toward me.
“Hey,” I replied, my voice quieter than I meant it to be.
“You, okay?” he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
“Just a lot on my plate,” I said with a weak smile, gesturing toward the bakery behind us. “Lori’s got me juggling a million decisions, and it feels like nothing is going according to plan.”
