Page 72 of Falling Again
Anthony did as he was told, popping two pills in his mouth, and washing down with a sip of cold coffee. Even if he screwed things up with Natalie, at least he had Trudy looking after him. “Thanks,” he said to no one in particular.
The doorbell above the diner entrance jingled and Alice walked in with a young woman who looked somewhat familiar. “Hey Tony,” Alice said in greeting. “Heard you really mucked this up.” His sister’s gleeful expression did nothing to quell his burgeoning headache.
“Thanks, Alice. As always, your support means the world to me.”
The young woman joined them at the counter and put her purse next to Anthony. “Hope you don’t mind the extra set of hands. I bumped into Alice at the market when she was on the phone with Ginny. I sort of invited myself.”
Anthony shook his head, about to ask who she was when Evan came out of the kitchen. “Mal! You made it.” Walking over to the woman, he pulled her into a quick hug before slinging his arm over her shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind Anthony, but Mallory’s shift ended early, and I thought she could help.”
Now Anthony saw the familial resemblance. “The more the merrier, I guess.”
Mallory pulled her dark hair up into a messy ponytail and turned to Alice. “What can I do to help?”
“How do you two know each other?” Anthony knew they had bigger fish to fry, but he was thrilled to see Alice making friends with a local.
Alice scrunched up her nose. “I don’t really know Mallory. We were both standing in the produce section when we got the texts from our brothers.” Gesturing to Mallory she added, “Hers is helping my idiot brother.” With an eye roll that came from his toes, Anthony let the conversation die.
With a loud clap, Max stood in front of their motley crew and got their attention. “Listen up, we only have an hour to get this all together.” Alice, Mallory, Ginny, CeCe, Evan, Helen, and Trudy all lined up next to Anthony and listened to Max’s directions. “I made a list of what everyone can do. We should be decorated within the hour, and Pastor Rawlings said he’ll be here by five o’clock.”
Ginny took the stack of papers from Max’s hand and distributed them among the group. “Everyone follow the details here, and we should be set.” Turning to Anthony she added, “I just got off the phone with your mother. She’ll be here with the kids and your father in time for the ceremony.”
Anthony nodded, still in disbelief over the course the day had taken. Trudy came up and patted him on the back. “And I gave your father strict instructions to keep his mouth shut. You know he’s nearly as bad a gossip as Helen.” Her friend merely grunted behind her before getting to work.
Glancing down at his empty hands, Anthony asked, “Where’s my list?”
Ginny scurried over and shook her head. “Your list is just to run home and change. If you can get a dress for Natalie, I’ll take care of getting it to her at the office.”
Things seemed to be moving too quickly, and Anthony panicked. “What happens if she went home?”
CeCe joined them and shook her head. “She won’t. I texted Mona, and she’s across the street shopping. She’ll stop Natalie if she’s trying to leave.”
Anthony gawked, still unable to believe everyone’s willingness to help. “I just...why are you all helping me?”
“Because it’s what friends do,” Max said, making it all sound so simple.
“Get those outfits!” Trudy shouted from the back of the diner. “We’ll have time to explain the basics of human friendship when you’re reconciled with your wife.”
Pushing to his feet, Anthony stumbled. “I want to make sure—” but he was stopped by Alice.
Two firm hands pushed him through the door. “You need to trust the process, Tony. You do your part, and by the time you’re back here this should all be set.”
Anthony allowed himself to be shoved all the way to his car. Looking over at his sister, he was touched by the fierceness in her gaze. “Alice. What if this doesn’t work? What if I’ve lost her?” His voice broke on the last word, and Anthony pushed his palms into his eyes.
Here he was, the mayor of Buckeye Falls, standing in a parking lot crying like a baby. And what was worse, he didn’t care. He would gladly make a fool of himself every day for the rest of his life if it meant he had Natalie. He’d botched the party planning since they got back on the mainland, and he kicked himself for his naivety.
Taking pity on her brother, Alice stepped closer and pulled him in for a hug. “It’s going to be fine, you’ll see. If there are two people on this planet that are meant to be together, it’s you and Natalie.” Pulling back from their embrace, Alice looked back to the diner. “Well, and probably Max and Ginny. Did you see the looks they were giving each other? I could get pregnant just watching them.”
“Alice.” Her name escaped Anthony’s lips on a groan. While he couldn’t disagree with his sister, he feared she was missing the point. “Can we please go back to the topic of my wife?”
“Right, sure.” Letting out a sigh, Alice got back on task. “Do you know why I was giving you advice while you were at the lake house?”
“Because you were bored and had nothing better to do?”
“Besides that,” Alice huffed. Anthony merely shrugged, so she continued. “Despite the fact that you’re you,” she said, gesturing to his suit and loosened tie. Even in the middle of summer, Anthony couldn’t help but wear a full suit and wingtips. “Natalie adores you. I can tell. She looks at you like you hung the moon, or whatever romantic cliché you’d prefer in this instance. You’re the father of her children. I know you’ve hit a rough patch, but the fact that you’re this worried can only be a good sign. You won’t lose her because you two are meant to be.”
Anthony let Alice’s words sink in before shaking himself back to reality. “I need to get home and grab our clothes.”
Glancing at her watch, Alice nodded. “The sooner, the better.”
