“Did I wake you?” Will’s voice was soft.
“No. I’m sorry about today.”
“I’m sorry, too,” he said. “I let too much time go by. Things have been hectic here, too. We just need to be patient with each other, okay? And for the record, I’m not interested in Lisa. I’m only interested in you, Natalie. I told you I was willing to give you space and wait for you to figure this out and I will. I want you.”
His words melted my frustration. “Okay,” I said quietly.
“As Ivy told you today, the kids will be with Kelly for Thanksgiving, Friday to Friday,” he added.
“We’re almost on the same schedule,” I said with a soft laugh. “My kids are with Jason Saturday to Saturday.”
“Your first Thanksgiving without the kids,” he noted. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Meredith is coming, so I’m grateful for that.”
“Well, if you can sneak away for a night, let me know. Or I’ll come there.”
“I would like that.”
“We will figure this out-us.” Will said with a calm tone that reassured me.
“Okay. Goodnight, Will.”
“Goodnight, Natalie.”
Relief washed over me, and I drifted into a peaceful sleep.
CHAPTER 25
WHEN SOMEONE ELSE STEPS IN
NATALIE
Friday morning arrived too quickly, and my to-do list was already mocking me before I even got out of bed. Thanksgiving break was looming, I needed to pack lunches, make breakfast, pack their clothes and special items they would want to bring, and my head was spinning with all the tasks waiting for me at work. On top of everything, I had agreed to meet Jason today.
I shuffled into the kitchen, tossing apples into lunchboxes while mentally running through my checklist. I needed to squeeze in a workout to clear my head—and to work off Lisa’s muffins. I hated how good they were, and they had come in handy to serve the kids this morning. Small victories, I thought grimly.
After school drop-off, I hurried home, threw on workout clothes, and hopped on the Peloton for a quick session. It helped, a little. By the time I’d showered and changed, I felt marginallymore prepared to face whatever Jason had planned for this meeting.
The coffeehouse Jason picked was on the corner of a busy street, making parking a challenge. I finally found a spot. He was already seated when I arrived, a latte waiting for me.
“Hi,” I said, a little out of breath.
“I took the liberty of ordering for you,” Jason said, gesturing to the cup in front of him.
“Thanks.” I took a sip, the warm foam settling some of my nerves.
“So, what’s going on? I know we haven’t gotten past the New Year for the kids’ schedules,” I began, pulling out my planner. “I thought we could get a few months mapped out. Of course, we can adjust if needed.”
“That’s not why I asked you to meet,” Jason said, his tone unusually serious.
“Oh?” I looked up from my planner, taken aback. “What’s on your mind?”
“I met someone.”
The words hit me like a punch. I blinked, unsure of how to respond. Jason was tall, dark, and handsome—of course, someone would want to snatch him up. But I hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
“It’s getting serious,” he continued. “I want the kids to meet her on Thanksgiving.”
