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“I know,” he whispered. And he did. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t want to mess up. I’m a fuck-up. I don’t know what I’m doing. I have no idea what she needs.”
Michelle’s eyes softened a touch. “She needs you,” she said, shrugging. “Pushing someone away because you’re afraid to love them and lose them is one of the stupidest things you can do. Trust me.”
And the truth in her eyes made East do just that.
“Not all of us get a second chance to make it right,” she finished.
And he believed her. Then her words from earlier set in. “Wait, you said she’s looking at Connecticut?”
Michelle nodded. “Yes. A big time caterer offered her a job, and to buy her recipes even.”
Natalie couldn’t leave. And East would be damn sure he didn’t drive her away.
“I see you have a lot to think about,” Michelle said. And with that, she looked over his face once more, seeming proud of the mark she’d left on his cheek, and turned to walk away.
East stood against the door, feeling like that one slap upside the head had just changed his whole damn future. He just hoped he could make a certain beautiful brunette forgive him.
Chapter Sixteen
Natalie was in her bridesmaid gown and arranging the final touches on the tower of cupcakes in the reception hall, which was the only place that seemed to be quiet at the hotel. Everyone else was rushing around getting into place for the wedding to start.
She’d sent a text to Leslie McMann and told her she’d love to chat about her offer after the wedding. It would pain Natalie to leave her town and her friends, but she needed distance from the shattered heart East had left her with.
“There you are!” her mother called as she walked through the room. “It’s time to line up.”
Natalie nodded and stepped back from the tower. It was perfect. But when she looked at the vanilla cupcakes, she thought of East. He might not have helped with this batch, but she saw him now not just everywhere, but in everything.
Her heart stung with sharp pain.
She’d spent most of the night crying to Michelle. At some point, her sweet friend had washed her face with a warm cloth, and Natalie had fallen asleep. When she’d woken up, Michelle was gone.
Not that she needed anyone to stay with her. Turned out, Michelle had known about her and East the whole time. And she’d been so supportive in letting her try to find her own strength. Which, despite everything, was something Natalie was going to do.
Her heart might be in pieces, but she refused to be invisible. At the very least she wouldn’t be invisible to herself.
“The cakes are lovely,” her mother said approvingly. “And I’m so glad you wore your contacts today. You look much better without those glasses.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Natalie said with a low sigh.
“Harrison is in the second row and waiting. Since you’re walking down the aisle, I told him to wait for you after the wedding for the reception. You can walk in and—”
“Stop,” Natalie said. She quit fidgeting with the cakes and faced her mother. Just the two of them in a silent hall was daunting, but Natalie had to take a stand. More than that, she had to f
ollow through. Her confidence might have been shattered, but she had to try to rebuild. Might as well start now.
“Mother, I’m not going to have Harrison as my date today or any other day.”
“Natalie, you need to—”
“Stop,” Natalie said again, and her mother’s eyes grew large with surprise. “I love you, Mom. I hope one day I’ll be enough for you as I am, on my own. But I’m done worrying about that. I’m not you. I’m not a Southern belle. And I’m okay with that.” At least, I’m trying to be. “So you have no say in my dating life, and while I appreciate your concern for me in many ways, this is not one of them. I’m an adult. I will see, or not see, whomever I chose.”
Her mother blinked several times and then ran her hand along the pearls on her neck. Her face looked a little flushed. “I—I’m sorry, dear. I love you, Natalie. I just want you to have everything.” She fidgeted with her pearls again. “I’ve always just wanted you to be happy.”
Her mother’s words were surprising, but Natalie actually believed her. “Then trust me to go after and get the things I want. You just have to have a little faith in me.”
Her mother nodded.
Natalie hugged her, and they both headed to the ceremony hall. For the first time ever, Natalie felt free. And when she caught sight of the men lined up in tuxes, and East’s perfect frame standing next to her brother, she also felt like she was marching toward her death.
