Page 79 of Housebroke

“Anytime. But you know if there’s anything you want to talk about, I’ll always be here for you, Nat.”

Natalie opened her mouth, no doubt to object and say everything was fine, then sighed. “Things aren’t great between Sean and me. He and I are trying to work it out, but I’m just not sure I want to be the dutiful stay-at-home wife anymore. I want a career, but Sean is very traditional and wants me to be home to take care of the kids.”

“Natalie. I’m sorry. Have you tried counseling?”

“We’re doing that now. Sean’s not as enthusiastic about it as I am, but I’m going, so he can either follow suit and go with me or—we’re finished.”

Hazel knew exactly how devastating it was to end a marriage. “Oh, Nat. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. Me, too. Please don’t tell Mom.”

“Of course not. But I’m serious about having someone to talk to. I’m here for you if you need me. Or to watch the kids.”

Natalie laughed. “I think you have your hands full right here.”

“Hey now. Cammie and Christopher love dogs. If you need a break or a babysitter, you bring them here.”

Nat reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

And that had been the truest, warmest exchange she’d hadwith her sister in... as long as she could remember. Hopefully, it would continue.

Linc came back downstairs right as Mom returned from outside. He had put on a camel-colored pair of shorts along with a cream button-down, his hair was slicked back, and he looked utterly gorgeous. How could he dress so casually and look primed for a night out at the same time?

Linc had some kind ofGQmagic in him.

Now it was her turn to sigh.

Natalie leaned toward her. “That man is gorgeous.”

“That he is,” she said.

“Where would you all like to eat?” he asked. “Hopefully, not a suit-and-tie place, because if so, I’m underdressed.”

Mom laughed. It might have actually been a giggle. She and Natalie looked at each other.

“Oh, you choose,” Mom said. “We like everything, don’t we, girls?”

“Sure,” Nat said.

“Okay. Do you want to ride with us or—”

“No, we’ll follow you,” Mom said. “That way we can head home after.”

They climbed into their separate vehicles and pulled out of the driveway, Mom and Nat behind them as Linc led them out of the subdivision and toward whatever restaurant he was taking them to.

“Your mom and sister are great,” he said.

“You think so?”

“Yeah. Melinda speaks her mind and I appreciate that, and Natalie seems to just go with it.”

“Yeah, she goes with it, I guess. But, actually, we had a good conversation today. First one we’ve had in... a very long time.”

“That’s good, right?”

“It’s amazingly good, and a step in the right direction for our relationship. Well, to be honest, we haven’t had much of a relationship at all for a lot of years. We haven’t had much in common. She has her husband and kids, and I—”

He merged onto the highway, then gave her a quick glance. “You what?”

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