Page 67 of Falling Again
When she arrived at the diner, Natalie exhaled when she saw Anthony’s BMW parked out front. Checking her reflection again in the rearview mirror, Natalie swiped on another coat of lipstick and headed toward the entrance.
As she stepped inside, Helen approached with a smile. “It’s a Snyder explosion today,” she said in greeting, her gray bun frizzing in the summer heat. “Alice just left, and our fine mayor is in the corner booth.”
Natalie smiled. “Do you mind if I pop over there quickly?”
Helen snorted. “You’ve never needed to ask before.” Gesturing to the rear of the restaurant, she stepped back for Natalie to pass.
As Natalie reached the booth, she realized she didn’t know what to say. Anthony knew she was busy, so lying about having free time over lunch seemed ridiculous. However, all her concerns of what to say died when she saw the expression on Anthony’s face as she reached their table.
“Nat. What a nice surprise,” Anthony said as he hurriedly slid from the booth and pulled her into a brief hug. It wasn’t lost on Natalie that he spun her around so her back was to the table.
Behind her she heard Max rustling papers. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I was going to grab a bite and show Evan some website ideas for the school district.” Craning her neck, she tried to see what the papers were, but Max was too quick. “What are you guys working on?”
Max blanched and gestured to the stack of papers like it was nothing. “T-t-town council stuff,” he stammered. Max only stuttered when he was nervous or upset. Going over town council details shouldn’t make him nervous.
Natalie turned to look at Anthony who looked so guilty she almost felt bad making him squirm. “But you just had your meeting last night?” She asked, her gaze laser-focused on Anthony.
“We did,” he agreed, letting his hands drop as he ushered Natalie into the booth. “I have a few minutes until I’m due back at town hall. Want to share a club sandwich?”
Max collected the last of the papers and slid out of his side of the booth. His long legs knocked against the table, causing their coffee mugs to spill. “I’ll get that cleaned up and bring out some sandwiches.” Natalie didn’t miss the expression that crossed both their faces. They were up to something, and she hated being out of the loop.
Anthony took a long sip of his coffee––or what was left of it—and turned to face her. His eyes were pinched, but his smile was warm. “How’s your day going?” Under the table, he placed his hand on her thigh and squeezed. For a moment, Natalie forgot why she was there and why she was angry. All she could focus on was the tingle emanating from his touch.
“Fine,” she said, her eyes unblinking.
“I missed you,” Anthony said, leaning in and kissing her cheek as Helen arrived with an iced tea for Natalie. She left wordlessly, allowing Natalie to get back to the point of her visit.
“I missed you too.” She put her hand on the table and asked, “What were you guys working on? The way poor Max stammered it’s like I caught you both looking at dirty magazines.”
Anthony chuckled. “Hardly. Just something we didn’t get to cover in yesterday’s meeting. Max is helping with some projects so it doesn’t all fall to James and—”
His feeble explanation was interrupted by Evan carrying the most heavenly looking sandwich Natalie had ever seen. “Hey,” Evan said in greeting. He slid a plate in front of Natalie first. “Chicken salad on wheat for the lady, and a turkey club for the gentleman.” He took a step back and beamed at them. “Anything else I can get you?”
Anthony interjected. “Actually, I think Nat has something for you from the school district.”
Evan’s blue eyes lit up at the mention of his latest contract. “Oh great! I gotta run back and finish up the lunch rush, but can you email me? I’m happy to swing by your office in a couple hours if that works.”
Natalie nodded, her face betraying the roiling emotions fighting for space in her brain. “Sure Evan, thanks.” He waved over his shoulder before leaving the pair alone.
Anthony took a hefty bite of his sandwich and tried to steer the conversation back to non-work-related topics. “Did I tell you that Alice is looking for a job? Like a real job.”
Despite being happy that Alice was making her own way, Natalie couldn’t handle the banter. Lowering her voice she asked, “Why are you keeping secrets from me?”
“What?” He spluttered, his skin turning pale. “Nat, what are you talking about?” His sandwich forgotten, Anthony let it drop onto the plate with a sad thud.
Natalie slid her plate away, all notions of eating vanished. “You’ve been acting weird ever since we got back. And I can tell you’re hiding something.” Knocking her knuckles on the table she continued. “You never hid town business from me, ever. Now you’re acting like every phone call and meeting is top secret, as if you’re a Russian spy or something.”
Anthony ran a hand down his face, his shoulders slumping. “Nat, look. I’m trying to balance work and home life, like we discussed at the lake house. I want to make sure that when I’m home, I’m home.”
“But I didn’t mean for you to freeze me out of everything. How can I support you if I don’t know what’s happening in town?” Aware that her voice was rising, Natalie cleared her throat and took a sip of her iced tea.
“You can come back to town hall with me right now and I’ll show you whatever you want to see,” Anthony offered, the vein in his temple pulsing.
“I want to see what you and Max were working on,” Natalie insisted, her concern over their volume long gone. Right in that moment, all Natalie wanted was to see the papers. The papers that caused Max to stutter and her husband to lie.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Natalie only realized she’d been holding her breath when Anthony finally lowered his gaze to the table. “I can’t show you those, Nat. Not right now.”
“Fine,” Natalie snipped as she slid out of the booth. Reaching for her purse, she shook off Anthony’s grasp on her wrist.
