Virtuous(82)

“I’m just enjoying the beach, but we should head back soon. We’re taking my parents to dinner for their anniversary tonight.” It occurs to me that I should’ve invited Marlowe, who loves my folks and doesn’t have much in the way of family of her own. “You want to come?”

“I don’t want to crash a family party.”

“You are family, Mo. Please come if you’d like to. I should’ve thought of it before now.”

“Sure, I’d love to help my adopted parents celebrate another year of wedded bliss. Thanks for the invite.”

“I’ll ask Addie to add to the reservation.” I pull out my phone and dash off a quick text. Addie writes right back. Will do! “All set.”

“I’m so jealous of his Addie, I could eat my heart out,” Marlowe says to Natalie. “Did he tell you I basically gave her to him?”

“No, but she did,” Natalie replies.

“You need to get an Addie of your own,” I tell her. We’ve been having this argument for years.

“I know, I know. One of these days.”

We shake out the towels and walk back to the house. Natalie asks to use the bathroom, and Marlowe tells her where it is.

“Be right back,” Natalie says as she leaves the room.

The moment we’re alone, I look to my longtime friend for a reading on what she thinks of Natalie.

“Stunning and delightful,” Mo says quietly.

A knot in my chest seems to unfurl at her approval, that she sees what I do in Natalie.

“She’s young but surprisingly mature,” Marlowe adds.

“She’s been through a lot. I’m not so sure I’m good for her.”

“Yet you’re in love.”

I shrug. “I think I have been since the second I first saw her a week ago today.”

Mo squeezes my arm. “Nothing has to be decided right now. It’s only been a week.”

“I know.” I agree with her despite my misgivings. The more time I spend with Natalie, the deeper my feelings for her become—and I suspect she would say the same about me. Though we’ve known each other only a week, a lot has happened in that time. I’m old enough and experienced enough to know this is different. “I already feel more for her than I ever did for Val.”

Marlowe’s mouth falls open, but before she can respond, Natalie returns.

I’m well aware that I’ve dropped a bomb on my friend, but all my attention is on Natalie. “Ready?”

“Whenever you are.”

I kiss Mo’s cheek. “Thanks for having us.”

“My pleasure. And it was great to meet you, Natalie.”

“The thrill was all mine,” she says with that adorable smile I’ve grown to love.

Marlowe laughs and hugs her. “See you guys at dinner.”

When we’re back in the car and on the way to my house, Natalie says, “So did you two talk about me while I was in the bathroom?”

“Only a little. She really likes you.”

“She’s so cool. I was trying so hard not to act like a total dork around her.”

“I never would’ve known you were dorking out inside. You were very composed.”

“It was all an act.”

“You might be in the wrong business with those skills.” I can think of a million places I’d like to take her for a late lunch, but the potential hassle has me going home instead. We make sandwiches that we take out to the pool and pass a relaxing afternoon enjoying the sun and each other.

My middle-of-the-night decision to end things with her seems ridiculous now. I’d much rather live without the things I dreamed about than without her. She’s become as essential to me as the air I breathe. “Make room. I’m coming over.”





I scoot over to allow Flynn to join me on my lounge. Whatever was troubling him earlier seems to have passed. That he wants to be close to me fills me with relief and the jolt of excitement I’ve come to expect when he’s near. He’s very smooth as he arranges things so I’m lying in his arms, our legs intertwined and his lips a heartbeat away from mine.

“Hi,” he says with the sexy smile that makes me weak.

“How’s it going?”

“Never been better. This has been the nicest day I’ve had in longer than I can remember.”

“Me, too. Nicest day ever.”