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Natalia stared down at the text she had just sent.
What in the hell had she done?
Laying her head on her desk, she questioned her compulsive need to fix the problems of everyone she cared about.
Marco would eventually get over Lucia. Lucia would eventually wise up about Jesus. Why, on God’s green Earth, did Natalia feel the need to insert herself into their fractured relationship?
Because she had made her own stupid mistakes, and it killed a small part of her each time she saw someone she cared about repeating them.
The problem was, when it came to relationships, she was a complete and utter failure. She either chose the wrong kind of man or let a good one slip away.
“You need a hobby,” she muttered into the desk mat. “Something to keep you occupied.”
“Mama, are you okay?”
Natalia didn’t lift her head at the sound of Arden’s voice. “I’m fine.”
“Then why are you talking to your desk?”
“Because I’m stupid.” Natalia raised her head and propped her cheek against her hand. “I made a deal with Wizard. I agreed to go out with him three times if he keeps Jesus away from Lucia.”
Arden flopped down into the chair across from her and stared in astonishment. “You’re joking.”
“I wish.” Natalia chewed her bottom lip. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure,” Arden immediately agreed.
“How did I get home last night? After I talked to Wizard, the rest of the night is a blur.”
“Doom and I took you.”
Finding enough energy to support her own head, Natalia rubbed her temple. “Thank God. I don’t understand why I’m having so much trouble remembering.”
Arden stood sympathetically. “I’ll be right back.”
Wondering why her friend was leaving instead of helping her piece together the missing parts of the night, Natalia wished her muddled mind would cooperate.
“Here. Maybe this will help.”
When Natalia looked up, she saw that Arden had placed a cup of black coffee and a bottle of Tylenol on the desk. She pulled the coffee closer and lifted it to her lips.
“I knew there was a reason I love you.”
Arden smiled as she sat back down. “I love you, too.”
Natalia twisted the cap off the bottle and washed down two pain relievers with her coffee.
“All right.” She straightened in her chair. “I can take it. What happened?”
“You passed out in the back seat after telling us how much you hate Wizard and describing the different ways you want to dismember him.”
Natalia licked her suddenly dry lips. “Did I happen to mention anything else?”
Arden’s eyes twinkled. “You mentioned that it’s been eighteen months since you had sex.”
“God help me.” Natalia groaned and took another drink of coffee.
“I’m surprised you remembered the dates with Wizard when you have trouble recalling everything else.”
