Page 44 of Housebroke

Probably, since whatever was rolling around in Nat’s head would soon be reported to their mother. And the last thing Hazel wanted was for Mom to show up here, so she needed to make the situation very clear.

“Actually, he employed me. I’m cooking for him.”

“Obviously, that’s not all you’re doing for him.”

Nat just had to see that, didn’t she? She could try and explain what was happening between Linc and her, but it was new and she didn’t exactly understand it herself. Besides, the last thing she wanted was interference from her sister.

“What I’m doing with Linc is none of your business.”

“I’m worried about you.”

Sister speak forI want to know every sordid detail, emphasis onsordid.

“Don’t be. I’m fine. I’m putting money away so that I’ll be able to get my own place soon.”

“A place without the dogs, hopefully.”

“Nat, it’s what I love to do. So no, not without the dogs.”

Natalie brushed her hair back from her face and sighed. “This so-called career of yours is getting you nowhere. Which is exactly what Mom told you, like when we warned you about Andrew—”

She shot Natalie a scathing look. “Do not mention my ex-husband’s name to me again. It’s over, and it’s in the past. I’m moving forward now.”

Natalie sighed. “I get it. He made some mistakes. Which doesn’t mean—”

Nat had always been the one to list Andrew’s shortcomings while simultaneously defending him, as if Hazel should hold on to him like he was the only man who’d ever want her.

“He cheated on me. More than once.”

Nat waved her hand back and forth. “Men and their penises. You just have to learn how to control them.”

She wasn’t about to get into a discussion about the philosophy of a successful marriage with her sister, whose antiquated way of thinking about men made her blood boil. “Speaking of children, where are Cammie and Christopher?”

“Camryn is in school and Christopher has started preschool.” She looked at her phone. “I’m due to pick Christopher up at three thirty, then we’ll swing by and get Camryn, take her to ballet class, and make it home in plenty of time for me to get dinner started before Sean comes home from work.”

She caught the tension in Nat’s voice. “Everything okay between you two?”

Nat gave her what Hazel could only consider her fakest bright smile. “Of course. Why would you ask that? Everything is perfect. Sean’s job is amazing and he’s busy all the time. And the kids are so busy with all their activities that I barely have time to go to my yoga and Pilates classes, but Sean insists that I keep myself in tip-top shape.”

And, again, that slight note of tension in her voice, no doubt the stress of trying to be the perfect wife and mother.

“Don’t you miss being an interior designer, Nat? You were so good at it.”

For a second there, the facade fell away and she saw genuine misery on her sister’s face. But she quickly masked it again. “Of course not. I’m totally fulfilled. And very busy taking care of Sean and the kids.”

“You know you don’t have to be everything to everybody, Nat. It’s okay to take a day for yourself every now and then to do what you love. Or maybe just relax a little.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She swept her hair back, though not a single hair was out of place, as always. “I am relaxed and my life is perfect.”

“Uh-huh. I used to think the same thing until my husband cheated on me and ran off with all our money. But you do you, honey.”

Nat stood. “I just stopped by out of concern for you. If you’re going to pick a fight with me, I’ll leave.”

She had been doing that. “I’m sorry. I just felt... judged, and I took it out on you.”

“I would never judge you. Worry about you? Absolutely. I only want what’s best for you, Hazel. Mom and I both want what’s best for you.”

Hazel could already imagine the conversation Nat and Mom were going to have tonight after Nat filled her in on what she’d seen. But Hazel could only worry about the things she could control, and she’d learned a long time ago that she had zero control over her sister or her mother.

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