He looked down at me, something soft and tentative replacing the guarded expression. “I didn’t want space, Natalie. I wanted…want…you.”
The space between us felt charged with everything unsaid. For a moment, neither of us moved, and then I took a step closer, reaching for his hand.
“I want that, too,” I whispered.
Will’s hand lingered in mine, his grip steady as he looked down at me. There was a seriousness in his eyes that made my chest tighten.
“I want all of you, Nat,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Not just pieces, not just stolen moments. All of you. Are you willing to try that?”
My breath caught. His words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning. “You mean… like a real relationship?”
He nodded, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand. “We can still take it slow. I know this isn’t easy, but I’m not going to pretend anymore. I want to tell my kids about us eventually. Kelly, my parents… I want them to know what you mean to me.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. “You’ve really thought about this.”
“Of course, I have,” he said, his voice softening. “I wanted you to come to my Thanksgiving. I wanted you there with me. But… we were in a funk, and I didn’t know if I’d lost you completely.”
“You didn’t lose me,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I was just scared, Will. Scared of what this could mean for my kids, for your kids… for us. But I don’t want to run anymore. I want this too. I want us.”
Relief flickered across his face, but he didn’t let go of my hand. “We’ll figure it out. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but if you’re willing to try, so am I.”
I nodded, my heart swelling. “I’m in. All the way.”
His lips curved into the smallest smile, and he reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Good,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.
Then, slowly, he leaned down and kissed me. It wasn’t rushed or frantic, it was deliberate, like he wanted me to feel every ounce of what he couldn’t say with words.
CHAPTER 31
IN A HEARTBEAT
NATALIE
The kiss started slow, soft, and searching. But then it deepened, heat building between us like an unraveling of everything we’d held back. Will’s hands cradled my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks, and I felt myself sinking into him, into this moment, into the warmth of his lips moving against mine. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, and for a brief second, I forgot everything. The world outside ceased to exist.
When we broke apart, I pressed my forehead to his, trying to catch my breath. My heart was racing for all the right reasons for once, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of something big, something terrifying, but something I desperately wanted.
My phone started buzzing on the counter, insistent and loud enough to cut through the haze. I ignored it at first, but when it buzzed again—and again—I stepped back, my stomach twisting.
“Sorry,” I muttered, my hand reaching for it. “I should check this.”
I glanced at the screen and froze. Two missed calls from Jason. Two missed calls from Meredith. My throat tightened as I swiped to see the messages.
Jason: Call me now. Emergency. It’s Bebe.
Meredith: Natalie, please pick up. Jason called me. It is about Bebe.
My stomach dropped. I felt the blood drain from my face as I dialed Jason’s number. He picked up on the first ring.
“Natalie,” he said, his voice tense, the background noise chaotic. “We’re at thehospital. It’s Bebe. She’s been complaining of stomach pain, and it’s bad. They think it might be her appendix.”
Before I could respond, I heard it—Bebe crying in the background, her voice high and trembling. “I want Mommy! Mommy, please!” The sound tore through me, raw and desperate.
I pressed a hand to my chest, my knees threatening to give out. “Oh my God,” I whispered, gripping the phone tighter. “Jason, I’m coming. Put her on the phone.”
There was a shuffle on the other end, and then her voice, broken and small, came through the line. “Mommy?”
“I’m here, baby,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady though I could feel it cracking.
