Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc. #3)

“You think?”

“I know.” He kissed her, then turned her toward her work space. “You probably want to get back to what you were doing.”

“I do. I want to finish the wedding flowers and then start planning the piece for Atsuko. Yay me!”

She hugged Ronan, then gave herself exactly one minute to consider all the beautiful possibilities. Then she made herself focus on the job at hand. One thing at a time, she told herself. One magical thing at a time.





CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CAROL HOSTED THE next girlfriend lunch, which meant it was held out on the faux savanna. Natalie loved when they could sit on the ground and picnic while enjoying the light and heat of the sun. The animals grazed in the distance, and she appreciated that she had friends she could hang out with on a regular basis.

She’d had friends in school, of course, but after her mom had died, things had changed. She’d given up her art and had gotten a “real” job in an office. From there, she’d met Quentin and the rest was history. After settling in Happily Inc and making new friends, she’d realized that between her mom’s passing and getting engaged to Quentin, she’d let all her other friendships drift away. Maybe it had been because she was so sad or maybe it had been a symptom of losing herself. She wasn’t sure which but she vowed it would never happen again.

“How’s the new giraffe guy settling in?” Bethany asked as she passed out the sandwiches Carol had provided.

“He’s good. Already mingling with the girls. We’re going to wait until next year to take one of the girls off her birth control.”

“Millie should be first,” Silver said. “She has seniority.”

“That’s what I think, too,” Wynn added.

“I’ll take that into account.” Carol smiled at them. “So what’s new with everyone?”

“I saw Wynn and Jasper making out the other night,” Bethany said with a laugh. “Let’s talk about what a hot couple they make.”

“We’re not a couple,” Wynn said. “We’re just...”

“Having a lot of sex?” Pallas asked.

“Yes, but that’s all it is.” Wynn tucked her curly hair behind her ear. “Seriously. When Jasper and I first got together, I said Hunter was my priority. I wanted to keep things light and keep my son out of it.”

That sounded kind of off-putting to Natalie.

“Was he okay with that?” Bethany asked, sounding doubtful.

“He said he was fine with the rules,” Wynn told them. “I don’t want to worry about Hunter getting too attached before I know where things are going. So if Jasper is willing to keep things on the down low, I’m all in.”

The concept made sense, Natalie thought. In a way it was what she and Ronan were doing. Just hanging out with no expectation about the future. Only when she heard someone else describe the situation, it didn’t seem quite as appealing.

“You’re being sensible,” Pallas told her. “I admire that.”

Bethany leaned close to Natalie. “I so want to be her when I grow up.”

“Me, too.”

“Next subject,” Wynn said, eyeing them. “So, Silver, how’s it going with your trailers?”

Silver sipped her soda, then laughed. “That was subtle, but sure. Let’s talk about me. I’m still drooling over the two Airstreams I found. I’ve filled out two bank loan applications and now I wait to see what they say.” She looked at Bethany. “How’s life back in El Bahar?”

Bethany looked oddly guilty for a second before throwing herself back on the blanket and staring at the sky. “My parents are making me crazy,” she said dramatically. “It’s the marriage thing.”

“Which frequently comes after an engagement,” Natalie pointed out.

“I know, I know. I get it. There is the complication that my dad is who he is.”

“The king of El Bahar?” Silver asked. “Is that the problem?”

“Yes.” Bethany sat up. “Where do we have the wedding? How many millions of diplomats and the like get invited? How formal does it have to be before my mother starts worrying that we’re doing it wrong? It’s not just that I’m his only daughter, but my brothers are so much younger. It’s going to be years before we have another royal wedding. I keep thinking that eloping would be so much easier.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Pallas said lightly. “Even my brother has accepted the reality of who you are. Maybe it’s time for you to do the same.”

“Is Cade going to get a title when you’re married?” Natalie asked. “Will he be a prince or a duke or something?”

“A prince. At least, that’s the plan. It’s quite the delicate negotiation.”

Pallas sighed. “I’m so glad Nick and I ran away to Italy to get married. It was beautiful and perfect and I will treasure those memories always.”

Bethany whimpered. “Why are you rubbing that in?”

“A future sister-in-law’s prerogative.”

“How are you feeling?” Natalie asked Pallas. “You’re eating more.”

“I’m so much better. Thanks for asking. My body has accepted the pregnancy, at least for now, and I’m spending much less time heaving up my guts. Fingers crossed it continues.”

“And with that appetizing note,” Wynn murmured as everyone laughed.

The lunch went on another hour. When it was time for them all to leave, they helped carry everything back to the animal preserve offices. Natalie hung back to talk to Silver for a second.

“I wanted to let you know I’m not pregnant,” she said when the others had left. “I saw my doctor and I’m on birth control. You were great and I appreciate the support.”

“Thanks for letting me know. I wondered, but then when I didn’t hear anything, I figured all was well.”

“It is now.” Natalie shook her head. “I got off lucky. I know that. I won’t make that mistake again.”

“Good.” Silver hugged her. “Having a baby changes everything. It’s a huge decision that should be made thoughtfully.”

There was something in the way she said the words, Natalie thought, then told herself she was imagining things.

*

RONAN STEPPED OUT of the shower in the studio bathroom. He’d put in a long day of work and was pleased with the progress being made on his commission. Things were going so well he was actually a little ahead of schedule.

There’d been a change in his work, he thought as he dried off and started to dress. He was more focused. He could clearly see what needed to be done. It had been a long time since he’d been so inspired.

He knew he had Natalie to thank for that. Not just being with her, but also being around her. She was an open, gentle spirit. She saw the best in people and somehow she’d managed to share a little of that with him. She’d made him see that he needed to be with his brothers, needed their energy to unleash his own creative forces. Which all sounded way too out there, but it was true.

He’d missed Mathias and Nick. Had missed working with them. When they were around, he was less in his head, which was probably much better for everyone.

He hung his towel, then walked back into the studio, only to find Natalie waiting for him. She shifted her weight impatiently.

“Finally,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the door. “You took forever.”

“It wasn’t five minutes.”

“Really? Because it felt like at least ten.” She walked over to his truck and waited for him to open the passenger door.

“I take it we’re going somewhere.”

“Duh. To the recycling center. We have to get moving on our bridge piece.”

“Nick, Mathias and I have it handled. We’re using the car as the basis and the theme is ‘coming and going.’ You don’t need to worry about it. You’re busy with your own stuff.”

“I finished the flowers for the wedding and I’m working on a mixed-media piece to clear my head before I start on the flowers for Atsuko, so I have time. Not to be too judgy, but what you guys have done is okay but it needs pizzazz.”

“Aka junk?”

“Not junk.” She settled on the passenger seat. “Dazzle.”