Page 43 of Designs on You

Hazel’s eyes lit up. “Not busy at all. I’ll let Linc know. Why don’t you and the kids come over for dinner?”

“Sean has the kids tonight, but I’ll be happy to come.”

“Perfect. About seven?”

“Sounds great. Let me know what you’re fixing, and I’ll bring a side.”

“You are working, and I’ve got all the food covered.”

Natalie pointed a finger at her. “And you have a job, too, so I can provide a side dish. Or two, even.”

“Fine. I’m making a casserole. And you make amazing salads.”

Feeling triumphant over her victory, Natalie smiled. “Consider it done.”

They finished their coffees, and then Hazel hugged her and left. Natalie had to do the final touches on a home office this afternoon. The homeowner, Clara, was awesome, and their collaboration had been tons of fun. By the time Natalie finished, Clara was ecstatic and told her she couldn’t wait to start working from home in her gorgeous office.

Natalie couldn’t blame her. The design was modern but efficient, and everything that Clara needed was within her reach. Plus, now she had tons of cabinet storage so everything could be put away at the end of the workweek. Since Clara had been working in her kitchen, this was a night and day difference. She’d have privacy to do her job, and Natalie knew how much that meant.

She finished with Clara and stopped at the office to drop offher work things. Delilah was already gone for the day, so Natalie drove home, heading intoherhome office.

She smiled at the beauty of it.

After her divorce had been final and Delilah had hired her at the design firm, the first thing Natalie had done had been to convert Sean’s office to hers.

Sean had always called the office his sanctuary, the one place—according to him—where he could dictate his reports, work on his calendar, and get his schedule set up for the next day or the next week.

Whatever. He’d gone in there to hide, play games, or watch sports, since he’d put a big-screen TV in there. He’d forbidden the kids from going in there, saying they might ruin his documents or films or whatever.

Sean was full of shit.

She’d taken that room down to the studs, repainted it a lovely cream color, put up built-ins and a very nice desk. She’d added several potted plants because greenery was cheery, and added shutters to the two big windows. She’d also put in a sofa and a couple nice, soft chairs. That way the kids could come in and hang out whenever she was working.

Her kids were always welcome, no matter where she was.

She made some notes on Clara’s space for final invoicing, went through her emails, delighted to see one from a prospective new client who’d been recommended by a former client, which always made her happy. She made a note on her to-do list to call the prospective client first thing in the morning. Then she tucked everything away and closed her office door.

She made an arugula salad and slid it in the fridge. She loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen counter, put away a few things the kids had left out, then headed upstairs to change.

She took off her dress and shoes, washed up, and walked into her closet, deciding on shorts and a sleeveless top. It was always casual for dinner at Hazel and Linc’s, which suited her just fine. She slipped into her sandals, then touched up her makeup and pulled her hair up with a clip.

It was only May, and it was already brutally humid. Now she felt a lot cooler. Then again she was inside where it was air-conditioned, but at least when they went outside she wouldn’t feel like she was totally melting.

She decided to slice up some fruit and made a tangy but sweet dip, then put all the stuff in her car and drove over to her sister’s house. She frowned when she saw the SUV in the driveway.

“No. It can’t be,” she whispered to herself. Hazel would have warned her.

But who else could it be?

She grabbed the food out of the back seat and went in through the open garage door. The sound of her mother’s voice made her cringe.

Well, crap.

There she was. Her mother, looking impeccably put together, as always. She wore crisp capris, red flats, and a button-down shirt that looked as if it had been starched within an inch of its life. Her medium-length auburn hair curled at the ends, utterly resistant to Florida’s brutal humidity.

She plastered on a smile and walked into the kitchen. “Hey, sis. Hi, Mom.”

“Hello, Natalie.” Mom didn’t get up from her spot at the island, so Natalie went over to give her a peck on the cheek.

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