“I think I need to leave,” I said, keeping my voice low.
She raised an eyebrow. “Leave? Natalie, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “I just… I need to go.”
Her expression shifted from surprise to understanding. “To Will’s?”
I nodded, my throat tightening. “I can’t stay here pretending I don’t know exactly where I need to be. I’ve made so many mistakes, and I need to fix this.”
Meredith studied me for a long moment, then smiled. “Then go. What are you waiting for?”
“I don’t want to leave you here alone,” I said, glancing toward Jasper.
She waved me off. “I’m fine. Seriously. Jasper seems great.”
Jasper was just walking over to the bar cart when he heard his name. He turned with a warm smile. “What can I do for you?”
“Would you be able to give me a ride home later? Natalie isn’t feeling great. She is going to head out.”
“Happy to,” Jasper said, looking to me. “Don’t worry about her.”
“See?” Meredith said, nudging me toward the door. “Go. And Nat?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t overthink it. Just tell him how you feel.”
I hugged her tightly. “Thank you.”
“Always,” she whispered. “Now go.”
I walked over to Lucas. “I’m so sorry, but I’m having an off night. I need to go. And I’m sorry if I led you on—I’m just not in a place where I can… you know.”
“I see,” he said with a small nod. “I understand.”
“Thank you for understanding. And thank you for inviting me. Sorry for ditching you with those two,” I added, nodding toward the kitchen.
“I’m used to being the third wheel,” he said with a self-depricating smile.
We hugged, and I slipped out the door into the cool night air, the breeze cutting through my sweater.
Sitting in the car, I stared down at my phone, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. Then I typed:
Natalie: Will, I was wrong. About so many things.
I hit send, my heart pounding as I started the car. I didn’t know how this would go. But I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t show up and say what I should’ve said a long time ago.
CHAPTER 29
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
WILL
After a long night dealing with Madison’s drinking shenanigans, I was running on fumes. She hadn’t been arrested, thank God, but the call from the homeowner’s parents about the situation left me humiliated and angry. Madison’s attitude afterward didn’t help. She didn’t seem to get that the fallout wasn’t just about her. I didn’t have the energy to dive into why her choices were chipping away at my ability to be patient. She was grounded—again. That much was clear. I drove her back to Kelly’s house that night. Kelly was angry with her as well. At least we were on the same page, for once.
Two days later it was Thanksgiving morning, and I was still stewing over more than just Madison. Natalie had left things raw between us. She knew I wasn’t okay with her Thanksgiving plans—going to his house.
Lucas.
