Page 52 of Hate to Love You

“You know, I wouldn’t have thought that yoga and something as simple as meditation could help so much, but it does. I feel so much better when I’m finished. More centered. Like I’m letting go of all the anger and sadness that has been weighing me down and focusing on the future and all the positives in my life.”

I blink. This woman is seriously starting to scare me. “You sound like a hippie.”

Not taking offense, she chuckles. “I’m starting to think that hippies might be onto something. What I’ve learned through this experience is that you can’t hold onto anger. It’ll eat you alive if you do.”

My mom is blowing my mind with all this insight, and I’m not sure how to feel about it. Both of my parents are morphing into people I no longer recognize.

“I know you’re angry with your father, but he loves you. Even though a lot in our lives has changed, that’s one thing that never will. Don’t cling to the past, Natalie. Nothing good ever comes from it.”

I glance down again at the swirling pattern in the granite countertop and sigh. “I don’t know, Mom.” When she opens her mouth to argue, I cut her off. “I’ll give it some thought.” Maybe.

“Good. I hate to see you so upset.” Her eyes search mine. “Are you sure you don’t want me to change my plans? I don’t mind. I’m totally up for a girls’ night.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’ll be fine. Maybe some time alone to think about everything will do me some good.”

“It certainly can’t hurt.”

Thirty minutes later, we’ve finished dinner and are cleaning up the kitchen when the doorbell rings.

“Why don’t you get that while I load up the dishwasher,” Mom says.

I pad on stocking feet to the entryway and open the front door.

My eyes widen at the sight that greets me. “What are you doing here?”

Chapter Eighteen

Brody

Her response makes me grin. Which I’m sure she doesn’t appreciate. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit this is precisely the reaction I was expecting. Although, given the time we spent together the other night, I’d hoped for a warmer reception.

Guess not.

Looks like I’m back to square one with this girl.

I throw my arms wide. “Now, is that any way to greet your boyfriend?”

“Fake boyfriend,” Natalie fires back.

When she doesn’t invite me in, I angle my body against the doorframe. “You stopped answering my texts. Don’t you know that it’s girlfriend etiquette 101 to respond immediately to all calls and texts?” I reach out and casually flick the tip of her nose.

Eyebrows lowering, she bats my hand away like it’s a pesky fly. “And you didn’t take that as a hint? Most guys would.”

I place a hand over my heart and give her my best wounded stare. “Ouch. That hurts.”

“Doubtful.” She slowly runs her tongue across the front of her teeth. “How did you find me?”

I grin and say lazily, “It wasn’t all that difficult. I can be fairly resourceful when I need to be.”

Her expression flattens as she crosses her arms over her chest. The cottony material of her shirt stretches taut, emphasizing the roundness of her breasts rather nicely. My eyes drop momentarily.

Natalie clears her throat, and my eyes jerk to hers. A slight blush stings her cheeks. Her fingers grip the door as she drags it shut. “Well, it was great seeing you. Thanks for stopping by.”

I flatten my hand against the wood as she closes it in my face. “What? You’re not going to invite me in after I came all this way to see you?”

“Nope.” There’s not even a drop of hesitation in her voice.

“Natalie? Who’s at the door?”

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