Page 33 of Falling Again
“What’s going on?” Ginny asked, her gaze intent on her friend. Natalie was touched that Ginny cared this much. Having friends of her own in Buckeye Falls still felt new to Natalie. Of course, she had friends through the children’s activities, and she and Anthony had couple friends, but with Ginny and CeCe Natalie had found her own squad. A handful of friends just for herself. Thinking of CeCe now, Natalie kicked herself. After all the guff Natalie gave CeCe over her and Evan’s budding relationship, her friend should be here to watch her eat humble pie.
“I don’t know how this trip will be,” Natalie started, choosing her words carefully.
“You mean with packing up the house? I don’t know your in-laws well, but it sounds like Steven will provide some very thorough instructions.”
Natalie laughed, since truer words were never spoken. Her father-in-law was a force in this town, and heaven help the person who didn’t fall in line with his way of thinking. “No. It’s not that. It’s just—” She struggled to explain the torrent of emotions roiling through her. The miscommunication, the lack of attention she and Anthony had given each other, and their workaholic natures were slowly driving her insane.
For a whole week they wouldn’t have any distractions from their thoughts, feelings, and actions. No children to buffer them, no jobs to take their attention. Natalie snagged another chocolate and bought herself a few moments. Ginny waited patiently, her fingers toying with the bottom of her shirt. Ginny would make a horrible poker player––she always fidgeted with her clothes when she was nervous.
“Anyway,” Natalie continued. “Things with Anthony and I haven’t been great for the last few months, as I’m sure you’ve gathered.” The last year would be more accurate, but she wasn’t about to delve that deep into her personal life. Chocolate was a lubricant to honest conversation, but Natalie would need at least one case of wine and an oversized bag of Halloween candy to dig that deep into her psyche.
Ginny paled, leaning closer and reaching out a hand. Natalie took it and squeezed before wrapping her arms around herself. “You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready,” Ginny said, her voice low and cautious like she was soothing a wild animal.
Shaking her head, Natalie dusted invisible lint from her skirt. “It’s okay. I probably should talk about it.” She let out a sad laugh. “Well, I should probably talk about it with Anthony.”
“No better time than this trip. Maybe it’s exactly what you two need?” Ginny’s expression was bright and hopeful.
Natalie looked down at Ginny’s left hand, her wedding ring sparkling in the fluorescent lighting. Just six months ago that ring had been locked in Max’s safe waiting for her finger again. They had found a way to overcome five years apart, five years of pain and hurt feelings. Natalie wasn’t a fool––she knew the pair had worked hard to find their way back to each other––but it allowed her the opportunity to hope. To hope that she and Anthony could figure this out and come back together.
She missed him so much. From the bottom of her soul, she ached for one day of normalcy; one day when he would look at her and they would laugh and talk like they used to. Natalie couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment things began to change, but she knew it had gone too far. She remembered their parking lot kiss yesterday and a faint smile crossed her lips. That kiss was filled with promise. And a lot of lust.
“What did I miss?” CeCe asked from the hallway. She held a box in both hands, seemingly struggling with the heft of it.
Ginny hopped from her chair and helped CeCe put the box on her desk. Gesturing to the other vacant chair, Ginny offered CeCe a seat. “What brings you in? Not that we’re complaining. We’re indulging in a little girl talk,” Ginny said.
CeCe looked at Natalie and nudged the box toward her. “This is everything you’ll need for South Bass Island,” she said. “I baked two loaves of bread, a whole box of cheesy bites, and some cookies.”
“Are you trying to fatten me up?” Natalie laughed, peering into the box and feeling her mouth start to water. Anthony would be lucky if she didn’t eat that box of cheesy bites now. “That’s really nice of you. Thanks, CeCe.”
CeCe shrugged. “No problem. Max mentioned you guys were leaving tomorrow, and I couldn’t let you survive on pre-packaged foods.” She made a gagging sound, as if boxed mac and cheese was tantamount to eating radioactive waste. Although now that she was thinking about it, Natalie made a mental note to pack a box. She never got to eat as much as she wanted with the kids around.
Ginny chuckled. “You realize the island is still civilization, right? There are some great restaurants there.”
“Pfft.” CeCe was undeterred. “I’m sure there’s good stuff, but come on. You two won’t want to go out for everything. I know you’re going to pack, but I’m picturing cozy nights by the water. You’ll thank me when you have a snack to go with your wine.” She winked at Natalie, but CeCe froze when she saw her expression. “What did I miss?”
CeCe looked to Ginny, who raised her hands in the air. “Not my story to tell.”
Natalie tossed her head back with a sarcastic laugh. “If we’re really going there, I need a favor first,” Natalie glowered, pointing at CeCe.
“I brought you a box of carbs. What more do you want from me?” CeCe asked, looking aghast.
“Not that kind of favor. I’m about to pour my heart out, and I don’t want to hear, ‘I told you so.’”
Natalie stared down her friend until CeCe made the cross-my-heart motion and eased into her chair. “This is a judgment free zone,” CeCe declared with vigor.
Ginny made a show of checking the time before scurrying to the front door and flipping the closed sign. “Just so we’re not interrupted by customers.”
“I hate when that happens,” CeCe scoffed. “Do you two do any work here? Every time I stop by it’s happy hour.”
“If only,” Natalie snorted. Taking a deep breath, she let it all out. If she couldn’t spill her guts to her gal pals, then what was the point of having friends? “Well, I know this isn’t a big surprise, but Anthony and I are having a bit of a rough patch.”
Both of her friends nodded solemnly but didn’t stop her. “Anyway. It’s like we kind of grew apart, you know? We’re not each other’s priority. I knew things would change with Maddie and Otis, but lately it’s like we’re barely roommates. We don’t talk very often, and we’re hardly intimate.” Hugging herself, Natalie fought to hold the tears at bay.
“Now hold on,” CeCe said, raising her hand in the air like they were in school. “I know for a fact that you and our fine mayor were swapping spit in the diner’s parking lot the other day.”
Natalie blanched. “How do you know that?”
CeCe looked annoyed. “Uh, hello? Between Helen, Evan, Max, and me, we know everything that happens on diner property.”
