My cheeks heat.
“You made my girlfriend Samantha happy, and if you can keep doing that, you’ll have a job here for a very long time.”Richard’s beaming.
And I’m screwed.
Because the more Ineedto come clean with him about my lie, the less I want to do it.
6
Natalie
Lunch with an ex is probably never fun, but Mason isn’t trying to win any awards, either.
“I still don’t understand why you won’t talk to me about the duke,” Mason says.“Is he that bad in bed?”
I don’t throw my napkin at him.I’m proud of that.“As I’ve told you, we aren’t dating.We had two sort-of dates, one of which you saw, in which he drove me into Waterford to get a cell phone while he met some people for a business thing.Pretty romantic, right?”
Mason’s frowning with one eyebrow cocked.That means he can’t decide whether he believes me.
I toss my hands up in the air.“I don’t care what you think, because my love life’s none of your business now.We’re only here to discuss the kids.”
“Are you ready to order?”The very nice waitress probably thought my hand throw was to summon her, but that’s fine.It’s definitely better to get this over with as fast as possible.I already regret agreeing to this monthly lunch coordination meeting.Anything that can be done by text with an ex probably should.
“I’ll have the turkey sandwich.”I hand her the menu.
“With chips?”
I shake my head.“No, thanks.”
“Since when do you say no to fries?”Mason shakes his head.“I miss the old Natalie.”
The old Natalie?The one he cheated on because she got chubby?It’s hard not to roll my eyes, but I’ve decided to be entirely civil.“We’re not here to reminisce,” I mutter.“Just order.”
“I’ll have the turkey sandwich, mayo on the side, extra chips.”Mason winks at the waitress.That’s new.Before he did that kind of stuff when I wasn’t looking.
Honestly, though, now that he’s not trying to date me, it’s way easier to be around him.“We may as well start.”I pull out the calendar.“So for October, we have at least one, but maybe two horse shows on the schedule, and there’s a school play that Paul’s doing.I’m also planning some events for the hotel that the kids won’t want to miss.”
“Horse shows?”Mason blinks.“Who’s doing those?”
I don’tneedto tell him that I am, but it would be nice if he could watch Paul and the little girls.“Me, for one, Clara, and Hannah.”
“Not the twins?”
“Blaine enjoyed riding Teagan the other day, but I don’t think she’s planning to do much more.Every time I’ve asked, she’s passed.Amelia...she’s not ready yet.Maybe next year.”
He nods.
“Will you be free that weekend to keep an eye on the other kids?”
“I can, but I’d rather come with them so we can cheer.”
I frown.“I imagine the twins will be bored, but Paul will besuperbored.”
“I can keep one little boy entertained.”
It’s a first that he wants to come or keep one of our kids entertained.“Fine.”
“Also, can I just say that I think it’s great that you’re showing?You should’ve done that when we were married.”
