Page 63 of Fight Or Flight

“Well, I’ll do what I can to help you fight it, of course. But I’m needed in London tomorrow and Sydney at the beginning of next month. I’m sure whatever you will need of me can be accomplished remotely?”

Speeler nodded. “That will be fine.”

“Can you estimate how long it will take?”

“Could be as little as six months, but I’ve seen these things drag on for years. It all depends.”

Silence fell again before Chelsea broke it once more.

“Can I move in?”

Natalie’s eyes popped, and she twisted her head.

“Yes,” Speeler said, just as Natalie yelled, “What?!”

Chelsea turned to Natalie. The tears that had fallen had dried, and a determined look settled on her face. “I want to move in with Ben. And I want you to stay with us, too.”

Natalie feared this meeting would permanently freeze her face in an expression of shock. She noticed Ethan’s head abruptly twist in her periphery and felt his dark-blue eyes boring into her temple. She opened her mouth to say something when Speeler cut her off.

“I’m certain there is a more private place you can discuss your personal matters. I have another appointment at eight thirty.”

He stood from his chair, gathered his papers and mug, and exited the room.

They were officially dismissed.

Natalie stepped out of Speeler’s office and onto the sidewalk, then sucked in a deep breath of fresh air.

“I will never set foot in that place again,” she said, stabbing a finger in the office’s direction. Only bad things happened in that office. Things that did irreparable damage to one’s life.

She felt Ethan walk out behind her, his quiet presence dominating the circle the three of them formed on the sidewalk. He had his hands in his pockets and regarded her with a curious expression.

“I’m going to go,” he said. “Let you two discuss things.” Before he walked away, he turned to Natalie. “If you leave tonight, will you call me and let me know?”

“Iamleaving tonight,” she said.

“Please, Nat. Just hear me out,” Chelsea said.

Ethan’s face softened into a tender smile. Leaning in, he kissed her on the cheek. When he pulled back, he stared into her eyes for a long moment. “Bye,” he said. Then he turned and walked to his truck.

“Bye,” she said in a daze, watching him walking away from her and wondering why he didn’t believe that she was leaving. Maybe he thought—

“Did you and Ethan . . .” Chelsea interrupted her thoughts. “Did you end up asking him?”

Natalie sighed, then nodded and tried to act as if it meant nothing to her. “Yes,” she said, allowing herself to feel the loss she experienced, just for a second. She’d had one-night stands plenty of times, with exciting sexy men from all over the world.But she had to admit, she’d never felt anything like she felt with Ethan before. He clearly didn’t understand how to have meaningless sex.

“Wow. Good for you,” Chelsea said, giving her a pat on the back. “He’s hot. And smart. And kind. Hard to find a triple-threat like that.”

“It was only once—well, twice—and it’s over now. I’m going back to London, then Sydney. Sticking to my plan.”

Chelsea looked down the street, walked over to a black metal bench that was flanked with enormous planters filled with purple flowers, and sat down. Natalie followed and sat next to her. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, she broke the silence.

“Why do you want to move into the house? I know you wanted to move apartments, but can’t you just put it off a little while?”

Chelsea sighed. “I already signed a lease for a new place and used most of my savings for first and last month’s rent.”

“What’s the hurry?”

“It’s in a much safer school zone for Ben.”

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