Page 62 of Falling Again
CHAPTER 18
They had been backin Buckeye Falls for only twenty minutes, but already Natalie felt the changes. Anthony talked her ear off not only for the whole car ride home, but also during the ferry ride back to the mainland. They talked about everything—from their trip to their plans for when they returned to normal. It helped Natalie realize that this was reality, a new routine.
“Want to grab something to eat on the way home? I’m sure as soon as we’re back, Alice will run off and the kids will be crazy.”
Natalie nodded, excited at the chance to continue their alone time for just a few minutes longer. “That sounds great. Want to share a cookie afterwards?”
Anthony looked like she’d slapped him and took his wallet. “Um, no. We’re getting our own cookies. In an hour we’ll be back in the land of sharing desserts with the kids, so I’m planning on splurging.”
Unable to stop her gawking, Natalie savored the playful moment with Anthony. She ran her hand through his hair, mussing it slightly and causing Anthony to groan at the feel of her fingernails on his scalp. “You like that?” she teased, careful to keep her pressure on his skin light enough.
“To be continued tonight?” he asked, glancing over at her as he parked their car. As Natalie smiled, Anthony’s face turned serious. “I’m serious, Nat. I meant everything we said this week. I want us to make an effort, be honest with each other, and make this work.”
She couldn’t help but bloom under his hopeful gaze. “I’m serious too, Anthony. And you’ll be hard-pressed to get me out of bed once we get the kids settled in. I feel like I deserve a rematch after Twister.” She waggled her eyebrows, somehow looking both adorable and sexy.
Anthony’s eyes flashed as he closed the distance, their lips clashing together in a spectacular kiss that curled her toes. Her fingers ran through his hair, this time turning his style from carefree tousled to out-of-control bedhead. Natalie didn’t care, and judging from what she felt in Anthony’s cargo shorts, neither did he. He nipped at her bottom lip and mumbled something so obscene, Natalie feared she’d jump him before they got out of the car.
The sound of a knock on the car window had them both gasping and pulling apart like caught teenagers. It was CeCe, a smirk on her face and Evan by her side. He raised a hand in a sheepish greeting. Natalie forced a smile and hoped her makeup wasn’t completely rubbed off. When she looked over to Anthony, she saw the remainder of her lipstick all over his mouth—and chin. Oops. Taking a napkin from the glove box she handed it to him and motioned to his face. Getting the message, he quickly put himself to rights and joined her outside of the car.
“Well, well, well,” CeCe said dramatically, like a villain in a superhero movie. “Looks like you guys are still enjoying vacation?”
Evan nudged CeCe with his elbow, but she wasn’t having it. “CeCe,” he said, his voice was joking, yet firm.
CeCe laughed and wrapped her arm around Evan’s waist. “I didn’t know you were such a prude, Ev.” His ears turned purple, and Natalie melted for the guy. He was so in love with her friend, yet he was easy to embarrass. Being with CeCe, he’d get a thick skin sooner rather than later.
“Hey,” Anthony said as he pulled himself from the car. He’d run a hand through his hair, but it didn’t hide the evidence of what they were doing—or at least trying to do. “Nice to see you two again.” Walking up next to Natalie, he took her hand and looped her arm through his. Natalie didn’t miss the eyebrow raise CeCe gave at the sight.
“Late lunch?” Evan asked, clearly trying to ease the tension.
“Yep. We just got back from South Bass Island and wanted to eat before we go home,” Anthony said, finally looking relaxed.
Natalie nodded like a neurotic bobblehead beside him. “You know the kids. As soon as we walk in the door, it’ll be chaos.” But for all her teasing, Natalie was anxious to get home and see the children. She hadn’t been away from either of them for this long before, and her arms felt hollow without the weight of her babies.
Evan took a step and pulled CeCe toward the other side of the parking lot. “We’ll let you guys at it then.”
Natalie frowned. “Are your shifts over?”
CeCe beamed. “Yes, and not a moment too soon. Today was bedlam.”
Evan nodded and shrugged. “Saturdays usually are.”
Anthony surprised Natalie by continuing the conversation. “I’m sure you guys are seeing a lot more weekend foot traffic since you won the food truck competition. Has the paper done any spotlight pieces on you guys yet?”
“No, but it’s not for lack of trying.” Evan supplied, looking a little annoyed. “We got that one piece, but they never followed up on the recipes.” Looking to his girlfriend, Evan’s cheeks turned a shade of violet Natalie hadn’t seen outside a bunch of grapes. “It would be nice if they mentioned something about us. I thought the love angle was sweet.”
