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“You have to believe in each other, and it will always work out how it’s supposed to.”

Call me a New Age fanatic. I’ll be anything the spiritual guides want me to be as long as I don’t lose Natalie. Believing in the power of destiny and ready to fight for us to be together, I open the door.

“What?” She stops pacing, rearranging the phone against her ear as if she heard wrong. “Mom, say it again . . . No.” When she turns around, her eyes land on mine. “No.No. No.Please tell me everything will be all right. That he’ll be okay.” The sunshine catches in her tear-laden eyes, and fear fills them right after. “I’ll come home. I’ll catch the first flight . . . I love you, too.”

Her hand lowers with the phone to her side just as tears roll over the barrier of her bottom lids. “Nick . . .”

“What is it?”

She rushes against me and wraps her arms around my middle. I’m quick to envelop her body, wanting to protect her from whatever upsets her. “I have to go. He had a heart attack.”

“Who?”

“My dad,” she says, softly crying against my chest.No.“My mom said he was rushed into surgery and can’t tell me anything more at this time.” She looks up. “I have to go.”

“I’ll go with you.”

I lead her back inside, and my mom hurries over, taking her into her arms. Shooting me a dirty look, she consoles Natalie. “It will be okay.”

“Mom, her dad had a heart attack.” I can tell my mom feels bad when her expression turns to shock. “Oh, no.” She reaches for me in apology, rubs my arm as consolation for the dirty look and assumption. I say, “I’m going to fly back to New York with her tonight. Do you mind packing her stuff at the bungalow and shipping it back for her?”

She holds Natalie’s face. “I’m so sorry, honey.” Stepping back, she adds, “You two go, and I’ll overnight your belongings.”

“Thank you,” Natalie replies with a wobbling lower lip. “I’m sorry to have to leave like this.”

“No. No. Don’t be, honey. We’ll see each other again.”

I hadn’t noticed that my dad and brother had gathered around to lend support until Andrew says, “You guys can head out, and I’ll call to arrange a flight.”

After hugging my mom, I tell him, “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

My dad sneaks in, “It was nice to meet you, Natalie,” before we head for the door. She’s polite, even when distressed, thanking them for their hospitality.

There’s never a good time to head to LAX but rushing there in an emergency adds a whole new layer of stress. We’re quiet in the SUV while she texts with her brother. A faded blue car with a rusted bumper that’s covered in dings cuts me off, causing me to swerve. Natalie’s phone flies from her hands to hit near her feet, and she braces herself against the dashboard. “What the hell?”

“Sorry. This asshole just fucking cut me off.”

She stares ahead, and then asks, “Is it safe to reach down?”

We come to a stop, and I reply, “Yes.”

Her fingers fly over the screen, resuming to text. When she pauses to look around, I’m tempted to tell her about the deal. I just don’t know if now is the time. I’m still filled with a million questions about why her family didn’t let her in on it and is still keeping her in the dark after the fact.

Technically, nothing’s been confirmed. My brother saw a photo behind a guy’s desk, and that’s what we’re basing the future of my relationship on?

He’s certain she’s one and the same since he noticed her enough to call her hot. As if she can read my mind, she sets her phone on her lap and rests her elbow against the window. “My brother will have a car waiting at the airport.”

“Your brother . . .” I leave it open-ended, hoping she picks up the hint to fill in the rest.

“My brother, Jackson.”

Well, fuck.

27

Natalie

Nick’s been staringout the window for most of the flight. Granted, I told him I didn’t want to talk about it, but still. I’d like him to push.