Page 83 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

Natalie is drawn to look at her, to see the anguish on her face. Trapped between the two of us, she replies, “I was going to marry him.”

The tense has the most impact, gutting me. I ask, “Was?”

“Am,” she corrects, her nerves getting the better of her as her voice begins to tremble. “Mom, Nick?—”

“Christiansen,” her mother adds. “Legal Counsel for Christiansen Wealth Management. Son of Corbin Christiansen, third in line of succession to CEO.”

I’m stunned to the spot hearing my résumé thrown out like it was a memorization project. But Natalie furrows her brow and asks, “How do you know all of that?”

Other emotions have drained from her face, and now just the anger remains. “Christiansen Wealth Management now owns Manhattan Financial and STJ Co. But you might want to check in with your boyfriend because they’re cutting funding to your company by ending that part of the deal.” The mic wasn’t laid down. It was dropped like a ten-ton weight on top of my chest. She walks back to the hospital, the sliding glass doors opening as if commanded.

Jackson eyes me, and then says, “Good luck,” before heading into the hospital.

But Natalie remains, standing there watching cars come and go from the ER entrance farther down the sidewalk. I’m not sure what to say, and I’m thinking Natalie feels the same way. The truth will find a way, but I have to take the first step to fix the damage. I say, “She’s right. CWM bought Manhattan Financial. But she’s wrong when she says I betrayed you. The truth is that I didn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together. Not until today, and then it was too late. You were there with my family. You heard me assume your last name was as common as Smith in New York City.”

“It’s not.”

“I know. Now, I know.”

“My dad and mom started that company thirty years ago. They put everything into it. I can’t believe they were selling it when it was still so successful.”

“I only got some of the information, but your parents wanted to retire. We wanted a place with a good reputation to help with our presence in the city. It was a good match and an easy deal to close because both sides were eager.”

She turns her back to me as she stares into the minimal landscaping outlining the side of the hospital. Crossing her arms over her chest, she asks, “Why wouldn’t they tell me?”

“I don’t know, Natalie.”

She peeks at me from over her shoulder. “I don’t know what to believe or who to listen to. All I know is that my father could have died tonight, and from the sounds of it, you’re partially responsible.”

“I—”

“No.” A wall is built, her hands standing guard to keep me from reaching her. “This is too much to digest. I think it’s best if you leave, Nick. I’m going inside to be with my family.” She doesn’t kiss me, and there are no warm embraces. When she walks away, I’m left in the cool fall air with nothing but the memory of her looking at me like I’m the enemy.

“I didn’t know.”But these people broke that agreement when they threatened to dissolve the assets of your company.When I met with Dad earlier, yes, he was fighting for the best deal, but surely, he wouldn’t be underhanded and screw them over. He said he’d keep that business,herbusiness, if he was forced to.Did he lie to me?What am I missing?

She stops with her back to me. There are no ocean blue eyes to swim in or even a small smile to indulge my ego. She gives me nothing before the sliding glass doors open and then engulfs her.

I watch her through the glass, her family opening their arms and taking in one of their own.

But she’s become my family as well, but now, I don’t know where we stand with each other, other than with glass doors between us.

We may not have had a long relationship, but I knew the minute I saw her on that New York street that I wouldn’t let what happened in Catalina repeat itself. And I didn’t. Until now, when I have to let her be and hope she comes back to me.

Sitting outside the hospital, I don’t dare go inside. Natalie needs this time with her family, and I’ll respect that. But after three hours of waiting on this bench with the chill of October setting in, I’m starting to fear that Mr. St. James is not out of the woods.

She might have told me to leave, but no way am I going anywhere. I can only hope that she knows I’m here if she needs me.

After speaking with Jackson, he seemed to understand and believed me. I hate that my entire future hinges on whether he can be a voice of reason for Natalie.

Just before midnight, I hear the doors slide open and see Natalie coming my way. I stand away from the bright lights of the hospital, hoping to find privacy from other people here for the hospital.

She says, “It’s dark.”

“Yeah, shortly after we arrived.”

She shoves her hands in her pockets and then finally gives me the view of her deep blues. “You should go home, Nick.”

My heart sinks, my hope of speaking to her tonight falling with it. “Can we talk?”

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