Page 70 of Falling Again
It was there, with her arms wrapped around herself, that Ginny and CeCe found her ten minutes later. “Knock knock,” CeCe announced as she entered the office. Ginny followed closely on her heels, an extra chair in her hands.
“I know you said you don’t want to talk about it, and that you’re totally fine, but we’re here anyway,” Ginny said, pushing the chair right up to Natalie’s desk.
CeCe rummaged in her oversized tote and retrieved a square package wrapped in foil. “Your lunch, since you decided to make a scene instead of eating one of my culinary creations.” She stuck her tongue out and continued, “If I wasn’t your BFF, I’d be pissed off. Instead, I’m here to see why you made an ass of yourself.”
Natalie bristled. “I wasn’t making a scene.” She hastily added, “And I’m not an ass.”
With a snort, CeCe dug out a bottle of wine and three plastic cups. “Yeah. Whatever you need to tell yourself. You certainly weren’t being quiet.”
Ginny passed around the filled cups and looked to each friend before taking a sip. “I know you’re not a wine drinker CeCe, but you certainly know how to pick a good one.”
“Consider it the only lasting benefit of my time working with Eric.” Natalie and Ginny both winced at the mention of her former boss’—and absolutely sleaze of an ex—name. “Relax guys,” CeCe said. “I can discuss my past with Eric like a rational adult. I’m no longer on the verge of vomiting every time I think of him.”
Her own woes temporarily forgotten; Natalie smiled. “That’s really healthy. I’m proud of you.”
Ginny made heart eyes and asked, “Does this have to do with Evan?”
CeCe blushed, a rare reaction for the stoic chef. “It doesn’t have everything to do with Evan, but sure, he’s part of it. The other part is my therapist and me discussing my secrets and wallowing.” Turning her full attention back to Natalie, CeCe got to the matter at hand. “And speaking of secrets and wallowing...”
“What the hell is going on?” Ginny supplied, already halfway done with her glass of wine. “And for the record, I’m still not pregnant. So don’t give me any looks.”
Natalie looked at the clock on her desk; it was barely two o’clock. “Isn’t it a little early for happy hour?” But even as she asked, she took a swig from her own cup.
“Let’s get down to brass tacks,” Ginny said, pushing through with the line of questioning.
CeCe wasn’t having it, laughing at the old-school expression. “Hold up. Are you a seventy-year-old hardware store owner?”
Ginny rolled her eyes. “No, but I’m the daughter of a retired contractor. Certain phrases live free rent in my brain. So lay off and let’s get this sorted.” She held her cup up for CeCe, waiting for a splash of liquid courage.
Natalie was impressed with Ginny’s ability to keep CeCe in line. While she loved both of her friends equally, CeCe was known to trample over people if the situation called for it. Apparently Ginny’s time in the Big Apple helped her hold her own. Despite everything happening with Anthony, Natalie knew she was lucky to have her friends.
“You want to talk, let’s talk.” Natalie threw her head back and finished her wine. She savored the burning in her throat and coughed into her sleeve. “And don’t let me have any more of that. I need to pick up the kids tonight.”
CeCe handed her the sandwich and a napkin. “Eat, then vent,” she ordered.
Natalie gave herself three bites of sandwich before she was ready to open a vein. “Anthony and I had a fight.”
“No crap,” CeCe deadpanned. “Everyone and their Aunt Lillian are aware.” Natalie grimaced, but CeCe wasn’t finished. “What we’re here for is the reason behind a very rare glimpse into the Snyder marriage. You looked pissed with a capital P.”
“I am pissed.” Natalie hated to admit it, but being angry felt right in this situation. She reveled in it a moment longer.
Ginny slyly topped off her own glass before pouring a sip into Natalie’s. “What did Anthony do? You guys seemed so happy when you got back into town.”
“So happy that I found you mounting your husband in the diner’s parking lot. Again!” CeCe added for emphasis. It was clear to Natalie that her friend was on a roll.
“We were happy. Our time at the lake house was...”Magical. Special. Sexy. Emotional. Honest. Perfect.Unable to commit to a descriptor in her current mood she went with, “Nice.”
“Taking my dad and Mona to church on Sunday is nice. A week away with your husband should be more than nice,” Ginny said.
CeCe pointed to Ginny. “I’m with her. Why wasn’t it more than nice?”
Natalie banged her fist on her desk, causing her sandwich to topple onto its side, a slice of tomato rolling to the edge of her desk. “Itwasmore than nice, okay? It was freaking fantastic.” Both friends blinked at her, but neither interrupted. “We reconnected in a way I didn’t think possible. We made love—lots of it—and we talked. Really talked. It was like our old trips to South Bass Island, before the kids and careers got in the way of who we are as a couple. And we laughed. Laughed over stupid things like goofy neighbors, games of Twister, and who gets the last cookie.” Natalie gasped, trying to catch her breath after her emotional regurgitation.
Ginny quietly asked, “Then what’s happened since you got back?”
“Anthony broke the rules,” Natalie said, the admission causing her to feel weak, wrung out like an old sponge. She was so disappointed in her husband she could hardly stand it.
“What rules?” CeCe put her empty cup on the desk and crossed her arms, clearly ready for whatever Natalie would say.
