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Dinner was an experience. A good one. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so happy. My stomach and cheeks actually hurt from smiling and laughing so much. Carter had a big family, but they didn’t interact like this with so much love and respect for each other.
His parents looked at the boys with affection in their eyes. They loved them, and I had a feeling they would, even if they hadn’t all gone into business together.
Carter’s family gave the illusion of happiness, but once inside, I realized they were devoid of any emotion or connection. They hugged because it was required, not because they wanted to. They met for dinner because that’s what everyone did, not what they wanted to do. There were high expectations and guilt trips.
But there was none of that with the Fletchers. They genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. “Thank you so much for inviting us. We had the best time,” I said to Miranda while she packed us up a to-go box.
“I’m just sorry we never got around to baking that cake. Maybe you could bring Delaney by another time and we could do it. Do you have any plans to go out with your friends, or maybe a man?”
I took the plastic container of chicken and potatoes. “Oh, I’m not dating. I’m not ready. I’m not sure I’ll ever be.”
“I wouldn’t shut yourself off. You’re a beautiful young woman. Any man would be lucky to have you.”
That felt good to hear. After your husband left you, it was hard not to feel like there was something defective about you. Something inherently unlovable. The reality was that I’d chosen wrong. Carter wasn’t the guy for me.
“Are you in the market for a date?” Tyler asked as he walked in.
“No,” Mac said, following behind him. “She doesn’t need someone like you or your friends.”
Tyler rested a hand over his heart. “What are you talking about? I’m a perfectly nice guy.”
Mac smiled wide so I could see his perfectly white teeth. “For that one night, you are.”
Miranda sighed. “Boys. I don’t need or want to hear about your love lives.”
“Oh, I wasn’t talking about love,” Mac continued.
“It’s a good thing Delaney’s in the backyard with Waylon. I don’t need her to hear you talking like this.”
“Yeah, grow up,” Tyler said to Mac.
Mac smacked him, but when he caught their mother’s glare, he dropped his hands and fell silent.
“Good. Mac, walk Natalie out to her car. I’ll go out back and get Delaney.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Natalie said.
“I taught my boys good manners. I know it might not seem like it, but I did my best.” Miranda hugged me and said, “Come back next week when Sam, Alice, and Maggie are here. It’ll be even more fun.”
I found myself saying, “I’d love that.”
It was nice to have a family here to visit with, even if it wasn’t my own. And there was no pressure because I wasn’t dating one of Miranda’s sons. She was a friend. Warmth flooded my chest. I was grateful that Kylie had suggested I move back.
Mac opened the door for me to slide past him.
My shoulder brushed his chest, and it tingled with awareness. I felt like I got to know him better tonight. He wasn’t grumpy with his family. He was open and loving, playful even. I loved seeing this side of him. “Thanks for having me over.”
“That was all my mom,” Mac said as he let the door shut behind him.
“Has she done that before?” I asked him, trying to keep the conversation going. This felt like he was walking me to my car after a date, and my heart rate was already picking up in anticipation of whether he’d kiss me at the door.
When we stopped at my car, he turned to face me, shaking his head as he chuckled. “Not quite like this.”
I felt lighter than I had in years as I teased him. “I must be special.”
Mac straightened, and his expression sobered. “You are special, Natalie. I hope you know that.”
I licked my lips, trying to come up with a response because I had so many questions.Why do you keep saying nice things like that? Do you like me? Do you want me? What the hell is happening here?But his mother came around the side of the house with an arm around Delaney’s shoulder.
