“Okay,” I said softly.
He stepped outside, his phone already in his hand, and I glanced over at Meredith, who was making tea.
Meredith glanced up from the coffee pot, her sharp eyes catching mine. “You okay, Nat?” she asked, her tone casual but knowing.
I hesitated, smoothing the blanket over Bebe’s legs even though it didn’t need it. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, a little too quickly.
Meredith glanced over toward the door that Jason was standing on the other side of. “It’s okay if you’re not. I mean, none of this is easy.”
I looked up at her, startled. “It’s not that,” I started to say, but Meredith’s expression told me she wasn’t buying it.
“It’s okay to feel weird about it,” she said, her voice softening. “I mean, come on, Nat. You guys just got divorced, not that long ago. This stuff’s going to sting a little. It’s normal.”
I let out a small sigh, my hands falling still in my lap. “It’s just… I don’t know. She’s involved now, and I guess it does feel fast, you know?”
Meredith put her hands up in mock defense. “Okay, don’t kill me but… Brooke seems alright, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, annoyingly so.” I admitted.
“But it is fast. And it’s okay to feel some kind of way about it. You’re allowed to feel weird about it.”
I gave her a faint smile, appreciating her ability to read between the lines. “Thanks, Mer.”
She shrugged, a small grin tugging at her lips. “What are sisters for?”
Meredith went to pour our coffees, my phone buzzed on the counter.
Will: How’s everything going? Are you home yet?
A small smile tugged at my lips.
Natalie: Just got back. She’s resting now. I think we’re all just exhausted.
Will: I’ve got the kids today and for the next week. Let me know if you need anything, dinner, groceries, whatever. Ivy would love to see Bebe, but I know she probably needs to rest.
Natalie: Thanks. Maybe tomorrow? Just seeing Ivy would make her happy.
My chest felt lighter as I tucked the phone back into my pocket.
A few minutes later, Jason came back inside. “Brooke’s on her way,” he said, grabbing the duffel bag from where he’d left it near the door. “Let me know if you need anything,” he said finally.
“Thanks, Jason,” I said.
He nodded, glancing at Bebe one more time before stepping outside. I heard the faint sound of Brooke’s car pulling up, and Jason’s voice as he greeted her.
Meredith appeared beside me, her hands on her hips. “Well, that’s that,” she said.
I didn’t know what to think of it all. I was just grateful Jason stuck around and was there for Bebe and maybe even for me.
We settled into a slow, quiet evening. Meredith poured us cups of tea and sat with me at the kitchen table, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her mug.
“So,” she said lightly, giving me a pointed look, “your talk with Will must have gone well, I take it.”
Heat crept into my cheeks. “I told him I was all in.”
Her mug paused halfway to her lips. “All in?” she echoed, eyebrows lifting.
I gave a small nod, my throat tightening. “No more running, no more excuses. I meant it.”
