by Melody Grace
Natalie had let his words sneak back under her skin, whispering their cruel taunts until she’d lost the faith that had driven her to leave him. Forgotten the strength that had helped her finally walk away.
But she was worth more than that small, fearful life she’d lived in his shadow. She deserved everything she’d built here.
She just had to hold on to that thought.
Natalie got to her feet, suddenly determined. She wasn’t going to spend another night dwelling on the past. Even if she’d lost Luke forever, she’d still built a life for herself in this town, and Oliver couldn’t take it away from her so easily. She was going to celebrate tonight with her friends and the community that had welcomed her.
She was going out.
* * *
“You made it!”
Natalie was smothered with happy greetings the minute she stepped through the doors of the town hall. It looked like the whole town was there, dressed to the nines and already dancing under the stream of blue and silver disco balls.
“Look at this place,” she said in amazement after hugging Alice and Jackson hello. “Yesterday, it was like Santa’s Grotto in here, and now . . .”
“We’re classing the joint up,” Alice said with a grin. “What do you think?” She struck a pose in a cute cocktail dress and jeweled headband.
Natalie looked around and realized for the first time that it was a costume party: half the guests wearing elaborate themed outfits and fancy formal gowns.
“I didn’t realize there was a theme,” Natalie said, apologetic. She looked down at her own outfit, a plain black dress she’d worn with her favorite red heels. “Is this OK, do you think?”
“You look gorgeous,” Alice insisted. “There are even masquerade masks by the door. Aunt June planned it all,” she added. “I think she’s hoping everyone will let their guard down and create some serious gossip.”
“Well, I had to do something!” the woman herself interrupted, carrying a champagne flute, with jewels glittering at her neck. “Practically everybody is paired off these days, it’s so boring.”
“Don’t let Stanley hear you say that,” Alice told her, grinning.
“Oh, don’t you worry about him,” June said back with a smirk. “The two of us have an arrangement.”
She sailed off before they could reply. Once she was gone, Jackson shook his head, looking traumatized. “I did not need to know that.”
Alice laughed. “Let’s get you some champagne and wash away that image,” she said, linking her arm through his. “Natalie?”
“I’ll see you over there,” she said. “I want to take a look around and say hi.”
“We’ll save you a glass!”
Natalie wandered over to the table by the door, rifling through the masks as she took in the scene. Sweetbriar knew how to throw a party, that was for sure: from the swing band playing Sinatra hits to the groaning buffet table of delicious-looking desserts. Everyone was full of excitement and good cheer, and Natalie felt a wave of relief.
She’d made the right choice, coming out tonight. This was her town, too, and she was going to enjoy it . . .
. . . even if she was still watching for a sign of Luke’s familiar frame—
No, Natalie stopped herself. Not tonight. She saw Mackenzie and Lila dancing over by the stage and went to join them, instead. Maybe with enough dancing and champagne, she would forget about her heartache. At least for a little while.
So, Natalie danced for hours, in a group and alone. She’d partnered with practically everyone in town by the time she took a break—from the mayor all the way to Hank, from the hardware store—who was surprisingly light on his feet.
“Come find me for a waltz,” he said, depositing her back with her friends on the sidelines. “There’s still some life in the old dog, yet.”
“Looks like you have an admirer,” Alice teased once he’d whirled away.
“Sure. Me and Hank are a match made in heaven,” Natalie joked. “I’ll never run out of screws—”
Alice snickered.
“You know what I mean. Hardware!”
Alice kept grinning, and Natalie gave up. “Everything I say will sound dirty now, won’t it?” she asked, laughing.
“Pretty much.” Alice passed her a glass of something pink and sparkling, and Natalie paused.
“Is this the famous punch I’ve been hearing so much about?”
Alice laughed. “No, I’d warn you,” she said, grinning. “That stuff is deadly. The first time Jackson tried a glass, he wound up singing Celine Dion right in the middle of the square. Pretty tuneful, weren’t you?” she said, nudging him.
Jackson cleared his throat. “I remember nothing. Which means it never happened.”
He winked at Natalie.
She grinned back. “Harboring a secret skill, huh?”
“No way. Luke’s the tuneful one in the family.” Jackson stopped abruptly. “Sorry,” he said, and Natalie had to sigh.
“It’s fine. Really. You don’t need to dance around it. Where is he tonight, anyway?” she asked, swallowing back her heartache. She tried to stay cheerful. “I hope he’s not missing the party because of me.”
“Uh, I think he’s still in Philadelphia,” Jackson said, looking awkward. “He went to go fetch the rest of his things and settle up with Jess.”
The ex. Right.
Natalie kept smiling. “Well, great!” she lied. “I’m sure he’s having fun.”
Alice gave her a look like she didn’t buy Natalie’s cheery act for a second, but thankfully, she didn’t say anything. “Another dance?” she asked instead.
Natalie shook her head. “I’m sitting this one out. I’ve had my eye on that dessert table all night, and it’s time to do some serious damage.”
“Go crazy,” Alice said with a grin.
She and Jackson took to the floor, and Natalie made her way over to the buffet. There was pie, trifle, cupcakes . . . She didn’t know where to begin.
“You have to try Summer’s peach cake.” Eliza stepped in beside her. “It’s legendary. She’s started rationing it for only the biggest events because we all got hooked.”
“Done!” Natalie filled a plate. Eating her feelings? Never. But she was just taking a massive bite of cake when she saw a familiar face in the crowd.
The sugar turned to dust in her mouth.
It was Oliver. There in the middle of the party, smiling and chatting with Mackenzie and Jake and the others. Like he was just another part of the festivities.
Like he belonged.
Natalie’s heart dropped. She struggled to swallow, her mind racing. What was he doing back here now? And what was he saying to them?
Oliver looked up and saw her, and he gave a casual wave.
She lurched through the crowd towards them, her pulse racing. “Ah, here she is,” Oliver was saying as she finally reached them. “Hi, darling. I was just telling your friends how great it is to see your little shop thriving. She had a bit of a hiccup with her last few business schemes,” he added, making a regretful face. “Sara’s never been one for numbers. But I’m sure she’s taken some classes now, and will make this go-around a success. Third time’s a charm. Or is that fourth, now?” He smirked.
Natalie heard the roar of blood in her ears. She felt sick to her stomach, still clutching that plate full of cake.
“Sara?” Mackenzie repeated, looking confused.
Oliver widened his eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry, was I not supposed to say anything?” He shot Natalie a victorious look. “She decided to change her name for some reason. But that’s Sara for you—I mean, Natalie. Always has to make everything into a big drama. Never mind who she hurts along the way. I can’t imagine what she’s told you all about me,” he added, chuckling. “She always did like to spin a tall tale.”
“Nothing,” Natalie managed to bite out. “I didn’t tell them anything.”
“I guess I should be relieved,” Oliver said with a razor-sharp smile. “A single
act of kindness, after everything you put me through. We were engaged,” he added, grandstanding to the crowd. “Madly in love, planning on the wedding. At least, I thought we were. But I came back from a business trip one day and found she’d gone. Disappeared without a word. Can you imagine what I went through, worrying about her? I should be relieved she was alright, I suppose. Having fun here, making candies and having a great time with you all.”
There was silence.
Natalie looked at them all, feeling dizzy and weak. Mackenzie, Jake, Riley, Lila, Griffin . . . Even Eliza and Cal had drifted over, intrigued by the group. A row of confused faces as Oliver’s sneaky lies began to sink in.
She held back a desperate sob. What would they think of her now?
“I think you better leave,” Riley said, stepping forward.
Natalie’s heart sank. Of course. She should have seen it coming the minute Oliver returned. Who was she kidding, thinking that he’d just leave her to live her life again?
Hadn’t she learned by now? He would always win.
She braced herself to go when she felt somebody move to stand beside her. It was Alice, wearing a furious expression on her face. “Yes, leave,” she agreed, “and take your bullshit stories with you.”
And then Natalie realized they weren’t talking to her.
“This is a private party,” Alice added. “For Sweetbriar Cove inhabitants only. And you’re not welcome here.”
Oliver’s smile slipped. “I see . . .” he said slowly. Natalie watched the wheels spinning as he tried to figure out his next move. “I guess she really has won you all over,” he said, looking sad. “Let me guess, she played the victim with you, too? I fell for her act as well, once upon a time. So, desperate and needy, I would have done anything to help her. But she always is so pretty when she cries.”
A surge of anger slammed through Natalie, white-hot.
“You didn’t help me,” she spat out, stepping forwards. “You did nothing but hurt me and belittle me and try to tear me down.”
“Now look, Sara—” Oliver began, but she wasn’t going to let him finish. This was her turn to speak. Her life. Her rules.
“I’m not Sara anymore. I had to change my name because of you,” she said, her voice rising. “Leave my family behind because you had them all wrapped around your little finger. You made me believe I was nothing. That I couldn’t help but fail at everything. I tried so hard to keep you happy; I lived in fear because you were all I had left in the world.” Her voice broke, but Natalie didn’t stop, she couldn’t now. She pushed on, her voice raw. “I didn’t even realize you’d made it that way: you cut me off from everyone I cared about and made me think I didn’t deserve to be happy. You told me I was stupid and selfish, and that I didn’t deserve to be loved!”
Natalie paused for breath, her heart pounding. She realized that people were watching, that the music had stopped, and people were turning to see what the commotion was. But anger pumped through her veins, hot and wild, and she couldn’t have stopped now even if she’d tried. All her sleepless nights and fearful days, all the lengths she’d gone to in order to free herself from this man, they all came bubbling up.
No more.
She wasn’t backing down now. She wasn’t going to let him call the shots ever again.
“You did everything you could to control me, but you know something? You’re wrong,” Natalie declared fiercely. “What you showed me wasn’t love, not even close. Love is good and kind and supportive. Love doesn’t tear somebody down just to make yourself feel more powerful. I deserve to be happy. And I won’t let you or anyone else stand in my way again.”
Oliver gaped at her. For the first time in his life, it looked like he was speechless.
“Now, leave me alone,” Natalie said coldly. “I don’t need you. And the truth is, I never did.”
Oliver slowly looked around the room. Natalie’s friends were glaring back at him, stone-faced, and it made her heart swell with gratitude.
They had her back.
Oliver opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. He scowled, furious, but he didn’t say a word, he just turned on his heel and stalked away.
Suddenly, Luke stepped to block his path.
Natalie gasped. She hadn’t seen him there in the crowd. But it was clear from the look on his face that Luke had heard everything.
“One more thing,” Luke said, scowling.
And then he punched Oliver in the face.
22
Luke walked, fast, away from the town hall—and the scene of his reckless, impulsive outburst. His hand hurt like hell, but it was worth it. To wipe the smug look off that monster’s face . . .
“Luke!”
He dimly heard a voice calling behind him, but he kept on moving. Now that the roar of adrenaline was fading, he couldn’t believe he’d caused such a scene. Natalie was probably furious at him for turning her private life into a town spectacle. She’d been so courageous, staring Oliver down and telling him exactly what she thought of him. Luke had never been prouder.
And then he’d had to wade in, fists flying, and ruin the whole damn party.
“Luke!”
The yell came again, but he was so caught up in guilty self-loathing, he didn’t stop—until he felt a hand on his arm, pulling him around. “Luke, slow down!”
It was Natalie.
Luke stopped dead.
“Didn’t you hear me calling?” she asked, looking breathless. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone brightly in the glow from the street lamps, and damn, she’d never been more beautiful.
“I’m sorry,” Luke blurted, feeling even worse. “I don’t know what I was thinking back there. I just saw him, and I lost control. After everything he put you through, I couldn’t help it, but I know it was stupid and boneheaded and—”
“It was magnificent,” Natalie cut him off.
Luke stared. What?
“You were magnificent,” she added, her mouth curling into an irresistible grin. “I can’t believe you actually hit him. I mean, I know I shouldn’t believe in violence and brute force, but . . . the look on his face when he hit the floor?” She smiled wider. “It was amazing.”
Luke exhaled, stunned. “You mean, you’re not mad at me?
“No!” Natalie cried. “If anyone has a right to be angry, it’s you. After everything I said . . .” She swallowed, hard. “I’m so sorry.”
Luke frowned. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”
“I lied to you,” Natalie said, her face screwing up in anguish. “When I told you it was over, when I said I didn’t want to see you anymore . . . I didn’t mean it.”
What?
Luke stared at her in disbelief. The rest of the world—the cold wind, the music from the party, the lights of the tree still twinkling in the square—it all faded away, until they were the only two people in the universe.
“I didn’t mean any of it,” Natalie continued, “I was just . . . scared, and ashamed. I let Oliver get in my head again and make me believe that I would just screw everything up for you. So, I pushed you away. I thought I was doing the right thing but . . . It’s all wrong, Luke. Any world where we’re not together is just wrong, and I know you must hate me, but—”
He kissed her.
Luke couldn’t hold back any longer, her words still sinking in as he took her in his arms and kissed her the way he’d been dreaming about since the moment she’d told him goodbye. No, before then. Since the moment they’d first met. He’d looked at her and felt something inside him change, his life shifting onto a different track in the space of one glittering conversation. A new town, a new start. Everything had changed, because of this brave, passionate, incredible woman.
And he didn’t regret one moment of it.
He kissed her with everything he had, wanting the moment to last forever, until finally, they came up for air. “So you forgive me?” Natalie asked hopefully.
“You don’t need forgiving,” Luke said
immediately. He wrapped his arms around her, still reveling in the feel of her back in his arms where she belonged. Natalie’s face was lit up now, glowing with a happiness that mirrored the sparks burning in his chest, her hands holding tight to his jacket, her breath warm on his lips.
Luke hugged her tighter. “You did nothing wrong,” he insisted. “If I’d known Oliver was here in town . . .”
“I promise, I won’t hide anything from you again,” Natalie vowed. She smiled at him, her eyes shining with emotion. “I love you,” she whispered. “Everything I told him, about what love should be . . . that’s you, Luke. I learned it all from you. And I learned that I deserve it—all the happiness in the world, all the love and joy. I deserve it, and I want to share it with you.”
Luke didn’t have words. He just hugged her tightly to him as he thanked his lucky stars for whatever force had brought her into his life.
He looked around and realized something. “This is where we met,” he said, stepping back. “Right there on the street.”
Natalie looked over and smiled. “I can’t believe I didn’t remember you at first,” she groaned, covering her face with her hands. “You’re never going to forget that, are you?”
Luke chuckled. “I think you’ve more than made up for it.”
He peeled her hands away and brought one of them to his lips. “Besides, you won’t forget me now, will you?”
Natalie slowly shook her head. “Never,” she said, intertwining her fingers with his. “Did I mention that I love you?”
“Yes. But please, keep reminding me,” Luke said, on top of the world. “Because I’ll never get tired of hearing about that.”
Natalie blushed. “Me either,” she whispered, and so he told her again. And again. And showed her, too, just for good measure.
Because this time, he was never letting go.
Natalie could have stayed there in the street forever, lost in the blissful warmth of Luke’s kisses. But eventually, they were interrupted by the sound of cheering coming from across the square.
