Valorous(89)

“It’s love.”

“So you say.”

“I understand that it’s difficult for you to watch me do things that seem out of character to you.”

“Out of character… That’s a good way of putting it.”

“But I can only hope that someday you’ll allow yourself to feel for someone what I feel for her. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I refuse to apologize to anyone, even you, for being happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“Fair enough,” he says begrudgingly. “So what do you want to do?”

“I want to get away from everything for a while with her. I know we’ve got shit to do, but I can do it from anywhere. I can review the edits and provide feedback. I can make decisions about future projects. I don’t have to be here to do that.”

Hayden scratches at the stubble on his cheek as he thinks it over.

“Where’re you going to be?”

“I don’t know yet. Could be New York or maybe Mexico. Depends on what she decides to do about her job.”

“I thought she lost her job.”

“Apparently, the board has removed the principal who fired her and is preparing to invite Natalie back.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. There was nothing else they could do.”

“Especially after Emmett threatened them with a ten-million-dollar wrongful termination suit.”

Hayden smiles. “That’s awesome.”

“But I don’t think that’s the only reason they buckled. They know it’s the right thing to do.”

“Yeah, it is. So she might be living back in New York?”

“We haven’t decided anything yet.”

“I want you to know… I’m happy for you. I really am. She seems like a very nice person, and the way she held up during all the shit says a lot about who she really is.”

“She’s incredibly courageous. You have no idea just how courageous she is. We could all learn from her.”

“It’s admirable. I mean that sincerely. What she endured at such a young age… To come through it whole and intact… It’s amazing, and I get why you’re so gone over her.”

“Why do I hear a ‘but’ coming?”

“I just worry about you and the sacrifices you’re making to be with her. I worry about my best friend Flynn, who is one of the smartest, savviest people I’ve ever known, getting married without a prenup. That’s not the Flynn Godfrey I know and love. The Flynn I know and love understands the way things work in this world we live in and how the best of situations can go bad in the blink of an eye.”

I don’t want to talk about my relationship with Natalie going bad. That isn’t going to happen. “I hear you, and I appreciate what you’re saying. You should know that Natalie asked me about a prenup and wanted to have one.”

“And you still said no?”

“I still said no.”

“You’re crazy, man. Seriously insane.”

“If the day ever comes when I have to give her half of everything I have, I’m not going to care enough to quibble over that. And let’s face it. I could live in high style for the rest of my life on half of what I have. I wanted to go into this marriage with nothing between us but love. Putting a prenup in front of her would have made it a business thing, and I didn’t want that. I know it’s hard for you to understand, but I really believe it’s the right thing for us not to have one. She needs to be able to have faith in me, and I need to believe she’s not in it for the money.”

“How do you know she isn’t?”

“Because she got totally pissed when I bought her a diamond bracelet after she told me not to buy her any more jewelry. She’s not into all that. After the show last night, we sat in your living room and ate In-N-Out burgers and fries. You know what she said to me?”

“What?”

“‘Is this what happy feels like?’”

Hayden looks down at the control board and fiddles with some knobs.

“Most of the women we know would’ve been pissed to miss out on the parties and the photo ops. Natalie was perfectly content to go home and eat fast food and dip her fries in ketchup. That’s all she needs to be happy, Hayden. Do you know how refreshing that is?”

“I can definitely see the appeal.”