“You can’t quit your job because of me,” Natalie gasped.
“I can and I will because this isn’t right. And I’m not going to be a part of destroying lives for the sake of selling newspapers. If something needs to be exposed, I’m on board with that. Fake news and twisted stories are not why I wanted to study journalism. I know MacKellar Cove isn’t the hotbed of activity that a city is, but I like that about this place. It’s a good place to raise my daughter, and a good place to live. I don’t want to change that to suit one person who is bored.”
Natalie chuckled softly. “I agree. And thank you. I was hurt when I read the article this morning. I never intended to make it seem like I was flirting with Landon, and Omar is very invested in this wedding.”
I took a step forward and grabbed her hand. “I know. I agree. The article I sent you is the same one I submitted. I loved the way the two of you were together. I was married for a long time, and we were never that way. It was… You two really love each other.”
“We do,” Natalie said. “And I’ll agree to keep going, but?—”
I grinned immediately, until she let that but hang in the air.
“But I want you to come to book club.”
“This weekend?” I squeaked.
Natalie shook her head. “Every weekend at least until the wedding.”
“I’m a single mom. My ex isn’t… I can’t rely on him.”
“There are a lot of moms in the group. And if I remember correctly, Melody’s daughter is your daughter’s best friend.”
I nodded. “Yes, but I don’t like asking Ramsey to watch Mikayla every week.”
“Then Omar will.”
“What?”
Natalie shrugged. “Omar will stay with her. If you’re okay with him being around her.”
“No. I mean, yes, I’m fine with Omar being around her, but I can’t ask him to do that.”
“I’m offering, which means he is.”
Amelia snorted. Natalie grinned.
“I…”
“You’re trying to make excuses, but I want you there. I like you, Casey. That’s why I was so upset by this. I was surprised you would change the article after how kind it was to us. Your coming to book club will give me a chance to get to know you better, and it’ll be good for everyone else to know you. My guess is they’re all a little upset, too.”
I winced. She wasn’t wrong.
“Come Sunday. Please.”
I relented. “Okay.”
“Yay. Thank you.”
“Thank you for understanding about Gretchen. I would never make it sound like you and Omar were like that.”
“Thanks. But I guess we have to work a little harder to get something she’ll like for next week. What do you say you come to my bachelorette party tomorrow night?”
“What?”
Natalie grinned. “It’ll definitely spice things up. We rented out MacKellar Theater and we’re going to be rowdy and crazy. Amelia is coming.”
“I have my light-up penis beads ready to go,” Amelia said with a grin and a wink.
Natalie chuckled. “Say you’ll come. Daisy will provide the beads.”
