Too quiet for a group who seemed eager to get here.
My fingers are still dancing across the keyboard as I glance up at my friends. We’re sitting at our favorite table, and everyone has their heads down focused on a computer.
The fact that none of them have asked me a single question since I got back from Lovers is suspicious as hell. Especially considering that I left in a hurry, ditched my best friend's party, and then she walked out of the party. They all knew she drove straight to Lovers.
Oh hell, this is probably why when I asked to move today’s writing session from Wednesday this week to Thursday, they were eager to agree.
They want details.
Yeah … something is up.
I stop typing, sit back, and cross my arms. One by one, they follow, all eyes on me.
I raise a brow in challenge, but still, no one breaks.
If they think I’m going to be the one to start this conversation, they’re insane.
Beck clears his throat and nudges Simon. Simon nudges him right back.
“For fuck’s sake,” Hero says and shakes his head. “Tell us what happened in Lovers. How is Natalie? Nora said she’s staying with you. Is that right?”
“Yeah, thanks for calling me yesterday on your drive back,” Simon says, and there is no missing the sarcasm in his tone. “I wanted to talk about the idea I have for the apartment in Colorado.”
Shit, I forgot about that.
“You know information and didn’t share it?” Beck snaps.
Zane holds up a finger. “Technically, we all knew she was staying with him when Hero told us she wasn’t staying with him and Nora. I mean, come on, where else would she go?”
I was ready for “it’s your chance” or “you have to ask her out” kind of interrogating—that’s their default whenever Natalie and I are single at the same time—but the fact that they’re worried about Natalie more than me making a move on her is sweet.
“She’s doing okay.”
“Just okay?” Simon asks.
I nod. “Yep. She’s okay. She just needs time. She’s staying at my place for now, and we also decided to write together since I haven’t finished a book in two years.”
May as well tell them everything.
“What?”
“Are you serious?”
“No shit?”
“That’s a lot of information to take in at one time.” Hero rubs the spot between his eyes. “We’ll circle back to the book thing, but let’s talk about Natalie first.”
“Are you making sure she’s stocked with ice cream and flowers and all the stuff that cheers girls up over heartbreak?” Beck asks. Everyone looks at him.
“Is she heartbroken though?” Zane asks. “She just called off her engagement with a guy who was cheating on her. Even if she’s content with it because he’s a scumbag, a part of her has to be heartbroken,” Graham says.
I let his words soak in. He has a point, but anytime I’m around Natalie, she seems fine. Really. Like the old Natalie is back.
Doesn’t that mean she’s not heartbroken?
“Oh no, he’s thinking about it. What happened? Are you not making her feel at home?”
“Oh, fuck off. She’s more at home at my house than anywhere else. I was just thinking about how … she doesn't act heartbroken, so maybe she’s not.”
