“Nobody is. Even Tim. He’s working on getting them to leave peacefully. Apparently, they’re pissed he didn’t invite them because they’re part of his old condo party crowd.”
That reminded me of a question I wanted answered. “When did Tim leave his condo anyway?”
She didn’t have to pause to think about it. “Right after you left for Baltimore. He bought this place,” she gestured to the nice three-bedroom craftsman-style home with a big yard, “and quit having parties. He really changed so much after you left for Baltimore, Nat.” She looked at me intently. “He doesn’t want those people here. Please give him a chance to explain,” she pleaded.
I slowly nodded. “Okay.” And as I was walking back in with her, the group of his old friends came stomping out, obviously not in the best mood. Sadie and I just moved to let them go by. It wasn’t worth any sort of confrontation—even though there was part of me that would love to grab Cora by the hair and yank on it. I was pretty sure some of that very full blonde hair was extensions.
Then I was shocked I’d even had such a thought. It was very unlike me.
Tim came barreling out of the door. He saw Sadie first. “Where’s Nat? Oh my God, did she leave? Tell me she didn’t…”
“I’m right here,” I stepped up, and his face completely relaxed then spread into a grin.
“Good. Come with me.” He dragged me along behind him and plied me with food, drinks, and good conversation for the next hour or so. Then the countdown started. He had one of the shows in Times Square on the TV, and Auld Lang Syne playing softly in the background. Everyone had champagne in their hand and someone to kiss nearby as we started counting down to the new year.
“Five…”
“I have to tell you something, Nat.” Tim’s face was serious as he held onto me by the waist.
“Four…”
“I love you.”
I gasped.
“Three…”
“I think I’ve always loved you.”
“Two…”
“I never want to be without you.”
“One…”
“I’m just so fucking in love with you.”
“Happy New Year!!”
And then we were kissing, and he was dipping me so far backwards my hair was brushing the floor, and then he was holding me. “Happy New Year, Natalie.”
“Happy New Year.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Natalie
The next weeks flew by in a haze of busyness. I started my new job. Sabine moved to town and decided to buy and renovate my parents’ old house. After she asked if it would bother me or not. I found that it didn’t. I was interested in her fixing it up and making it her own.
I think my mother, especially, would’ve liked that.
My new job was amazing, and I realized that although I liked surgeries at the hospital, general care and pediatrics was more suited to my personality. I loved treating and talking to my patients, and they seemed happy with me. It was a job I could see myself doing until I got old and gray.
And the best part of all?
Tim and I started dating.
He’d asked me out right after New Year’s Eve, but I’d gotten cold feet and changed my mind. I was worried that he would hurt me again. Then one day I’d come across the gift bag of journals he’d given me. Sabine must’ve moved the bag inside, put it in a closet, and I’d forgotten all about them.
