The Album: Book One (37 page)

“Hi, is he expecting you?” Caroline asks with a condescending tone.

“Probably, who knows – just tell him Delta Burke’s here on important business.”

Caroline frowns as she holds down the intercom. “Adam, Delta Burke is here to discuss a business matter.”

Adam’s laughter echoes through the intercom. “Send her in,” he responds.

“You can go in, Ms. Burke.”

Natalie knocks on the door and then pushes it open. “Chill Adam, I’m practically your sister now. Iced green tea.” Natalie takes off the lid and places it on his desk. “No lid and no straw.”

“Thanks. I do enjoy our awkward Starbucks chats, but why are you really here?”

Natalie plops down in a chair and sips her iced latte. “So, if I were to need an attorney, do you think you could help?”

“Are you in trouble?”

“What? Not that I know of.”

Adam jokingly passes Natalie a business card. “Then I can help.”

“Hilarious.” Natalie chews on her straw as she continues. “It’s about the money. I have a shitload of it and I think I want to buy my apartment.”

Adam leans back in his chair and nods approvingly. “That’s a great idea, Nat. I’m proud of you.”

“I made an offer, but there’s a lot involved with trusts and shit. Do you think you could help me with the closing?”

“Of course. Whenever and whatever you need.” Adam leans forward and flashes a smile. “Hey, I want to show you what I got Chloe for her birthday.”

Adam retrieves a bag from the desk drawer and passes it to Natalie. Her eager hands reach inside to remove a jewelry box. “Gray pearls . . . gorgeous, Adam.” She holds them in the sunlight and smiles.

Adam leans back in his chair. “When we were at the Miami airport last month on our honeymoon, they had one of those oyster tanks – you know, the ones where you pick an oyster and they shuck it on the spot to find a pearl.”

Amused, Natalie says, “I’ll take your word.”

“Anyway, Chloe picked an oyster and when it was pried open, a perfect gray pearl was scraped from the shell. She begged me to do it, too – I complied, just wanting to get to the gate and upgrade our tickets. I pointed to one in the opposite corner of the tank. The lady running the booth told me it was too small and wouldn’t have a pearl so I should pick another one. I didn’t. She popped it open to reveal another gray pearl – apparently, finding two pearls, from the same lot of oysters, the same size and color is very rare . . .”

“Adam, the earrings are beautiful, but that’s some sappy shit.” Natalie chuckles as she places the earrings back in the gift bag.

“I knew you would understand. What else are you up to today?”

“Ah, I don’t know. I’m supposed to be on Long Island in a few hours for a nouveau riche birthday party. Molly and I devised an entire Murder Mystery Dinner on the North Shore. I have to dress up,” Natalie whines.

“That’s odd.”

Natalie flails her hand holding the iced coffee, dramatically making a point. “Rich people do weird things. We had this client once, total OCD, he only wanted silk linens. Silk. Fucking silk napkins.”

Laughing, Adam asks, “Where’d you find silk napkins?”

“I bought a wholesale lot of silk handkerchiefs. All in day’s work – which reminds me, I should get my ass moving to Penn Station.”

Natalie stands, slurping the last of her iced latte and then tossing it in the trashcan. Adam moves toward Natalie, placing his arm around her shoulder and walking her to the door. “Thanks for the tea,” he says.

Returning the sibling gesture, she wraps her arms around his waist and hugs him. “Chloe’s pregnant.” She releases her grip and opens the door. Looking back over her shoulder she says, “See you Saturday!”

Adam’s face is priceless – a smirk concealing pure happiness.

Natalie hurries past Caroline’s desk, rushing to the bank of elevators. “Have a good day, Ms. Burke,” Caroline yells after her.

Natalie waits impatiently, tapping her foot to hurry the elevator. She hops inside an empty car and repeatedly presses the button on the control panel.

“Hold it,” the voice calls.

Natalie positions her hand on the door to prevent it from closing. She’s giving this person two seconds to get their ass . . .

Chris squeezes through the opening, delighted to see the current occupant. “Natalie?” He smiles widely.

“Hey,” she says.

“Hey,” he replies.

Natalie takes a step closer, creating an undeniable amount of sexual tension. “I forgot you worked here. Actually, I guess I didn’t know.”

Chris’s hand brushes against her arm, innocent, but suggestive. “You look great.”

“So do you – no boots today?” Natalie glances as his brown wingtips.

“Not with my suits. My girlfriend would flip.”

“Oh,” Natalie says, backing away.

Chris scowls at his own inappropriate boldness. “Shit, I’m sorry that slipped in.”

Natalie shakes her head and smiles. “Oh no, that’s fine – I mean, yeah. Awesome.”

“And what about you? Are you seeing anyone?” Chris takes a step closer, staring at her lips.

“Nope, just waiting for the right time.”

“Timing is everything,” Chris declares.

Natalie nods. “Yep.”

“Yep.” Chris smiles.

Not yet . . .

A
USTIN,
T
EXAS IS
the embodiment of southern cool. From the vintage shops and industrial buildings, to the massive pecan trees and calming lakes, and to the urban art centers and sprawling ranch homes – this place is magical.

Natalie lounges on an outdoor sofa, bringing her knees to her chest and laughing. She’s giddy – punch drunk. “I love it here!”

“I love seeing you here.” Chris puts his arms around her shoulders and jokingly motorboats her neck.

“Look at the sky – I never knew there were so many stars.” Natalie gazes above, bumping into Chris to get his attention.

Chris watches Natalie’s mesmerized expression, pleased that she appreciates the beauty of the Lone Star State. “Can you actually be falling in love with something other than Manhattan?” he teases.

Natalie shrugs her shoulders and grins. “People can change.”

“Would you consider living here?”

“Maybe. Is there a Sak’s?” Natalie snuggles into Chris’s arms, running her fingernails along his forearm.

“You’re incredible, Natalie.”

“I think you’re pretty incredible.”

Chris jerks beneath her, an idea swirling in his mind. “Do you want to go for a swim?”

“Uh no – it’s late.”

“And? Swimming at night is liberating.”

Natalie sits upright and points to the house. “What about your family?”

“Prude.”

“Is that a challenge? No one calls me a prude and gets away with it.” Natalie flicks Chris’s chest.

Chris jumps up from the sofa, ripping off his polo shirt and pulling down his shorts. He gives Natalie a wink before running and diving into the pool.

“Come on, darlin’.” Chris moves his arms over the water making tiny ripples. He raises his hand above the water and beckons Natalie with his finger.

Natalie walks to the edge of the pool, smiling down at her cowboy under the big Texas sky. She removes her dress and tosses it to the side. Natalie decides that modesty is a necessity while visiting her boyfriend’s parents, so she wisely leaves her bra and panties on – her very sexy bra and panties. She takes a step back then leaps into the pool. Natalie was a cheerleader, and her cannonball into the warm abyss is a flawless ten.

“I think I officially love you.” Chris laughs.

“Do you mean that? Is it official?” Natalie asks, moving the wet hair from her eyes.

Chris places his thumb under her chin and lifts her head, the moonlight illuminating her face. “Are you ready to be loved?”

“I – I think so.”

Their love affair started years ago, but timing’s been a bitch. Natalie moved from relationship to relationship, never settling, never feeling secure – never feeling the love she experienced with Zach. Even Pete couldn’t break her – affection is not love.

Chris dated several girls over his years in New York, even a brief stint with Sarah – but no one could come close to giving him what he experienced in one night with Natalie.

“Darlin’, why are you scared?”

Goosebumps scatter across Natalie’s skin as she stares off into the distance. “Do you ever think existence is just a circle – like we’re in a roller rink, skating in one continuous loop? The DJ mixes up the songs, and people can roll in or out – grab a hot dog and soda – come right back for the free skate. But it just keeps going – one more song and I’m done . . . one more full rotation around the rink and I’m done . . . one more time. But life is a circle.”

“Tell me what happened, Nat,” Chris implores.

Natalie regains focus and smiles at Chris. No guy has ever asked her about Zach. No guy has ever cared . . . “The typical Shakespearean romantic tragedy. I fell in love. Hard. Our love was physical in the sense that I felt it burn through my body. Zach made me a better person, he gave me hope . . . he gave me the stars. And then the sky took him away . . . he died. I died.” Natalie skims her hands over the water – her heart is heavy, but her soul is weightless. “But I still exist,” she whispers.

Quietly, Chris proclaims, “You exist because of him.”

Natalie shakes her head. “No Chris, it’s not like that.”

Chris caresses her cheek, gliding his thumb over her lips. “What I mean is, I love you because of Zach . . . and I would never take that from you. Never apologize or feel remorseful about who you are. Natalie, I love
you
.”

“But it’s only been six months.”

“Has it?” Chris smiles boyishly.

Natalie tilts her head and cocks her eyebrows. “Are you sure? I’m a lot to handle.”

Chris takes her hands and brings them to his chest. “Natalie LeGrange, will you do me the honor of a couple’s skate?”

“I can’t believe you bought Will cowboy boots. Where’d you even find them this small?” Chloe asks.

Natalie bounces Will on her leg, smiling uncontrollably. “Isn’t he adorable in his little snakeskin? Auntie Nat lubs you,” she says against Will’s dark hair.

Chloe turns to Chris, shaking her head in amazement. “Chris, I don’t know what you did with my cousin, but I like it.”

“Chloe, Austin sunsets are like none other – the sun is so fucking huge it looks like a giant fireball.” Natalie laughs as she uses Will’s arms to enhance the story. “And oh my God, the Tex-Mex is to die for. What was that thing I had, babe?”

Chris furls his eyebrows and snorts. “Um, you ate a lot – can you describe it?”

“Stop it, Chris. Mmm, breakfast tacos and mimosas. Oh C, I could die a very fat, happy woman in Austin.”

Chris sits on the armrest of the sofa and pats Will’s head. “We should go for South by Southwest – Chloe, you would love it.”

“You’re a fucking genius, I love your face!” Natalie shrieks.

Chris scoops Will in his arms and laughs. “Come on Will, let’s practice walking in your new boots. The girls need some private time,” he whispers into Will’s ear.

Chris carries Will on his back, zooming through the house like an airplane. Chloe settles in next to Natalie on the couch and says, “So . . . things seem to be going well.”

“Chloe, I love him. I never thought it would be possible again – but I love Christopher Brooks.” She’s serious – the girl that makes jokes is serious about being in love.

“Holy shit, I’m so happy for you. Now tell me all the juicy stuff before it gets too weird.”

“We went to the lake on the Fourth and I actually paddled a fucking canoe . . . it was unbelievably sexy. And then we had a bonfire – old-school fun with marshmallows and hotdogs and shit. Chris took me to an outdoor spa in the middle of a prairie overflowing with cacti and flowers.” Natalie pauses, smiling about the memories. “We ate so much meat. Every meal was meat – I loved it. Oh shit, I even rode one of those mechanical bulls.”

Chloe snickers as Natalie imitates riding a bull. “I’d love to see that. What about his family?”

“His brothers and sisters are pretty cool – his dad seemed to like me, but his mom seemed afraid of me.”

“Did you swear in front of her?”

“Fuck no!” They laugh, aware that Natalie can take some time to get used to.

“Sounds like a great trip.”

“Our relationship is on a whole new level. Even the sex is better – and it’s never enough.”

“That must be nice,” Chloe whispers.

Natalie makes a concerned face. “Where is Private Ford anyway? He works on Sundays now?”

Unsure, Chloe answers, “He had a meeting Uptown with a client.”

Natalie raises her eyebrows and asks, “And what did he get you for your birthday?”

“A gift card.”

Chris returns to the living room with Will on his shoulders. “Chloe, Will took four steps in the boots before toppling over. I think that deserves some ice cream.”

Chloe smiles at Will and gives him a thumbs up. “Good job, boys! There’s yogurt pops in the freezer.”

“We’re on it.” Chris carries Will to the kitchen, bouncing him on his shoulders.

Natalie frowns and then blurts, “A fucking gift card? That’s not very Adam-like.”

“He’s been so busy lately with work. That Zimmerman case is killing him.”

Returning from the kitchen holding Will’s hand, Chris announces, “Zimmerman got thrown out weeks ago. The prosecutor dropped all the charges.” Disturbed by Natalie’s evil glare, Chris retracts his innuendo. “I mean, I think it was. There could’ve been another filing,” Chris mutters.

Natalie jumps up from the sofa, kissing Chloe on the head. “Chris, we should probably get going. I have a ton of laundry to do tonight.” Chloe gets up from the couch and stares at the floor, hiding her uncomfortable doubt.

“Yep, gotcha.” Chris kneels to give Will a high five and then rises to meet Chloe. “We still on for dinner next week?”

Chloe pats Chris’s arm and says, “Of course. And thank you for the gifts.”

“I love you. Call me if you need me,” Natalie says, hugging Chloe tightly.

After Chloe puts Will to bed, she suffers through another dinner alone, ripe with self-pity and vodka. She’s not sure when the relationship started to disconnect, but she’s determined to find out why.

Chloe sits on the piano bench in the darkened parlor, watching as large raindrops zigzag down the window. It’s funny how rain can be perceived differently – a refreshing shower on a hot day, or a subtle indicator of an approaching storm. Her fingers walk across the piano keys, finally settling on an augmented triad. The sharpness of an otherwise major chord becomes interesting . . . on the lurch . . . waiting to be resolved.

Around ten o’clock, after Chloe has repetitively played every augmented fifth combination, and hours after she finished off two vodka tonics, Adam’s shadow appears in the parlor. He’s wet from the downpour, and agitated by Chloe’s accusatory glance.

“Everything okay – why are you sitting in the dark?” Adam asks flatly.

Chloe’s body is limp, but her mind is fully functional. “How’s the Zimmerman case?”

Adam places his briefcase on the floor and grits his teeth. “What?”

“The case that’s kept you late at work the past month . . . is it almost over?”

Adam’s controlled composure is replaced with uneasiness, bearing down on the balls of his feet. “It was thrown out.”

“Interesting. So who did you meet with tonight?”

“A client.”

Chloe stands, bracing herself against the piano. She’s breathing heavily, her body slowly lunging forward in shallow spasms – but Adam stands motionless and defensive.