The way this whole ridiculous scene suddenly feels normal.
I married Natalie because it made sense.
It solved a problem.
It gave Maddie stability.
It gave me something solid.
But lately something has shifted.
Every day a little more.
Every laugh.
Every conversation.
Every time she touches my arm or smiles at Maddie.
Standing here in my backyard watching her laugh with my daughter and a bunch of idiot hockey players...
I realize my feelings for her are getting deeper.
And the dangerous part is this.
I'm not even trying to slow it anymore.
Across the yard Dex points at me.
"Shelly!" he shouts.
"We're starting round two!"
Natalie grins and nudges my shoulder.
"Better hurry," she says.
"Your team needs you."
I look at her.
Then at Maddie.
Then back at the party in my yard.
And for the first time in a long time...
this whole crazy situation feels exactly where I want to be.
Chapter nineteen
Natalie
"If one more hockey player leaves a beer can in my yard, I'm banning the entire Nashville Outlaws from future parties," I announce.
Dex pauses halfway into Mason's truck.
"First of all," he says, "rude."
