Natalie
I dig into my dessert to try and look busy around our table. Alaric left to visit the bathroom in quite a hurry. He had an incoming phone call from his business partner. So I'm eating my soufflé alone.
The fancy restaurant is filled with people tonight. They crowd the floor and mingle with each other before finally sitting down to order. I feel a bit out of place, especially since I'm alone.
I'm also suffering that nagging feeling that every other person inside this room is wearing way more expensive clothing. I swear some women frown upon seeing me while others snicker at my second-hand bag.
"I'm sorry," Alaric returns to the table. "My business partner had a lot to say."
A smile takes hold of my lips. I get the feeling Alaric's business partner is a woman since he is afraid of naming them. I wonder why he is trying to keep that a secret?
"It's alright," I tell him. "I ordered dessert to keep me busy."
"Was it any good?"
"Delicious."
"Anyway, about our wedding," Alaric looks at me intently. "Do you think we could skip getting you a real dress and just borrow a regular cocktail one? It would save us a lot of money, and the dress isn't that important anyway, right?"
"Not important?" My voice drifts to a sad tone, and I blink my eyes shut for a long moment before opening them again. I won't cry here. I'm a grown-up. But to be honest, I want to bawl like a little girl right now.
"Maybe we can remarry each other later in life? And then you can wear a real dress, but right now we can't spend too much money. Starting your own business isn't easy, and I need this, Natalie. The job I currently have is boring, and I want to make this leap right now."
"I understand that," I take a deep breath, willing myself to not sound like a bitch, but there is something I have to say. "Usually, when people start a business, they have money saved or at least discuss their plans with their partner. Alaric, I think it's unfair that you're doing this so close to our wedding."
"Unfair?" Alaric scoffs at me. "I'm sorry, but when I last checked, I was the one making all the money in the household, so I call the shots. I also work the hardest while you're chilling and taking it easy."
Alaric's words shock me. He knows very well I've been home with Emma. Also, the supermarket might not pay me as much as his lawyer job does, but I'm bringing some money to the table! I also clean and cook our dinners, so treating me like I do nothing is highly unfair.
I narrow my eyes, offended by his words. "I might not have a career like you, but I work the same hours. Sometimes even longer days. I cook, and I clean. I take care of Emma, so I'm hardly chilling."
Alaric dismisses my words with his hand. People who walk past our table are staring at us. I don't care, but it seems to make Alaric nervous. He gives me a rueful smile.
"Right, sorry, Natalie. I didn't mean to come off so rude. Of course, you work hard, and the food you make is the best in the city. Taking a culinary exam will make you even more talented."
Finally, some acknowledgment. "Thank you."
He clears his throat again. "All I'm saying is that I'm almost thirty-five years old. Now is the time for me to focus on my career before we have children, and I won't be able to leave our home."
His words set me in a bad mood. What does Alaric mean by saying he won't be able to leave our home? And what the hell—I thought he wanted to have more children now? That's why we tried!
In other words, Alaric wasn't ready to have a child with me? Fuck. I'm really pissed off at him right now. Am I being too sensitive? Sometimes things change, but I'm one minute away from throwing my drink over his face and drenching him in soda.
I suck in air through my nostrils. "Alaric. I was pregnant with our child, and now you're telling me you don't have time for children?"
Alaric grimaces. "Well, I wouldn't have started this business if you hadn't had a miscarriage. Trust me."
I laugh in bitterness. "That's almost even worse as it means you haven't thought this through."
He frowns. "Now you're just taking my words and twisting them to your benefit so you can stay mad at me."
My mouth opens but then closes when Alaric waves over a waitress to order himself another drink.
Both anger and sadness fill my brain, but Alaric doesn't appear sad. No, he looks enthusiastic, like this new company is exactly what he needs in his life. Does that mean I'm not what he wants?
Since the topics of children and marriage never made him look quite so thrilled...
I swallow thickly and try not to seethe when Alaric's phone chimes for the billionth time this evening.
He smiles down at it. "Do you mind?"
"You may enter the bathroom—the modern office, apparently."
Alaric doesn't hear the dripping sarcasm in my voice and leaves the table with a cheerful smile.
I sit back in my chair but glance to the right when a woman's laughter draws my attention to another table. Recognition settles over me, making my stomach fill with lead.
Of course.
A million restaurants and the star couple had to be here: Lexie is bent over a table, gazing into Noah's face as he animatedly talks about something. She is wearing a velvet dress, and Noah is wearing a fancy black suit for the evening.
I have no right to bubble with jealousy, but I do. There is nothing worse in the world than looking at another person and seeing they have everything you desire. In my case, it would be my first love, Noah.
Are they celebrating something?
Not that I want to know or should care. Noah and I have been on icy roads since I returned his car without an explanation. Alaric prevented me from answering his calls and... Well... Here we are, sitting at opposites tables like complete strangers.
Yet even the briefest moment of looking at Noah's smile drives me crazy. I want to know what he is saying. Noah knows how to make me laugh, and he is genuinely lovely—is he really laughing at what Lexie is saying?
Do they have a lot in common?
I glance away, close to tears already. My emotions are all over the place, and I'm stupid for having them in the first place. Noah and I are over, even if I liked to pretend we weren't while Alaric was gone.
Which reminds me: why isn't Alaric back yet? I bet his business partner is a woman he is involved with. He smiles too much when she messages him, and fuck, I shouldn't sit here and tolerate his behavior.
Alaric and I are getting married, but I'm at a loss. Am I supposed to sit here and just accept Alaric's life decisions?
I sigh and can't help my gaze from drifting to Noah. He is gorgeous in his black suit and crisp white shirt. The buttons are undone at the neck, revealing his sexy tan and a glimpse of his strong shoulders. His brown hair is messy like he was on the field earlier and didn't bother to brush it down after running in a headwind.
My stare turns harder, and I watch the light flicker on their table until Lexie reaches out her delicate hand. She is smiling so hard that her cheeks might pop.
I glare at her until suddenly, Noah reaches into his pocket. The world sways a little and then comes to a screeching stop. Noah takes out a black box, and I feel like vomiting.
Is Noah going to propose to Lexie?!