Page 92 of Housebroke

“What’s up, girl? You ready for some playtime?”

She whimpered and gave him her best golden smile, which of course was a resounding yes.

“Okay, then. Let’s do it.”

He stood and headed out into the yard, pushing thoughts of Hazel to the background for now.

But soon, he and Hazel were going to have a conversation. And then he’d know for sure where this relationship was going.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Oh, Nat. A divorce? Are you sure about this?”

Natalie nodded her head. “I’m sure. Sean and I tried counseling sessions, but it became clear—to both of us—that we want different things. And no amount of counseling is going to change that.”

Hazel sipped iced tea in Natalie’s kitchen. Mom had taken the kids today, so it was nice and quiet. Nat had finally broken the news about her and Sean last week. Mom had freaked, of course, but then had gotten down to the business of telling Natalie exactly what steps she should take to put her marriage back together. Fortunately, Nat had ignored every bit of their mother’s advice.

“What different things?” Hazel asked.

“He wants a dutiful woman who will spend her entire life being a stay-at-home wife and mother. I love the kids, but that’s not my only identity. I want to go back to interior design, Hazel. I used to be really good at it.”

“Used to? You still are. Look around here, Nat. Even with two small children, this house is a showplace.”

Nat eked out a smile. “Thank you. I love this place. I’d like to stay here—the kids love it here and the school district is ideal—but there’s no way I’ll be able to afford it on my own after the divorce.”

“You left a promising career to support Sean while he gothiscareer off the ground. Now it’s his turn to support you. Fight for what you need in the divorce, Natalie. He can afford to pay alimony and child support.”

Natalie gave her an uneasy look. “I don’t know...”

Having had a man take everything from her, the last thing she wanted was for the same thing to happen to her sister. “You won’t be taking anything from him that you don’t deserve. Do you have a good attorney?”

She nodded. “An excellent one. She was recommended by one of the women in my moms’ group who recently went through a divorce. She got a very nice settlement.”

Hazel grabbed her sister’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Nat.”

“Oh, it’ll be fine. This is for the best. And then I’ll... I’ll...”

Hazel waited, knowing that Natalie always had her shit together—until she didn’t. And then Nat burst into tears, crumpling into Hazel’s arms. She wrapped her arms around Nat and smoothed her hand over her hair. She held her, letting her cry it out until she had nothing left.

Then she handed her tissues to wipe her tears and blow her nose. She grabbed her by the shoulders and made eye contact.

“Natalie. You are a big bully, and you’ve been standing up to Mom and pushing me around your whole life. If anyone can win this divorce battle and take back control over your life, it’s you.”

Nat batted wide, wet eyes at her. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Hazel grinned. “You’ve got this.”

She nodded. “I’ve totally got this.”

After Nat settled, Hazel made them chicken salad sandwiches for lunch and they sat outside on Nat’s gorgeous back patio. Plenty of shade, amazing trees and bushes, and a babbling brook winding through the back of the yard with decorative rocks. It was peaceful and glorious.

“You could also add in landscape design to your repertoire.”

Nat glanced around the yard. “That would be so fun.”

“You’d be excellent at it. When I have a huge, cool yard—which I absolutely will someday—you could design a gorgeous retreat spot for me, and then a beautiful place where I can house all the dogs I plan to foster.”

Natalie stared out across the yard for a while without saying a word. “How many dogs?”