“Nah,” Natalie said, waving away my compliment. “I’m the lucky one; I got the great parents. I’d really like you to meet them one day.”
I felt nerves rush up to my throat the moment she spoke. It was a ridiculous reaction, giving the extent to which our relationship had developed, but I still couldn’t help feeling scared and worried. Again, a little voice inside my head told me that I was living some other guy’s life. This wasn’t really me. I wasn’t the relationship sort. But every time I saw Natalie, it became harder and harder to buy that line.
“Not immediately,” she said when I didn’t answer immediately. “There’s no pressure.”
I shook myself out of my panicked reverie and tried to put on an air of calm. “No, of course, I’d love to meet your parents, whenever you’re comfortable with making the introduction.”
She smiled, but I saw her eyes searching my face in an attempt to figure out if I was being sincere or not.
“You know what?”
“What?” she asked.
“I think you should give your parents a call,” I suggested, grabbing my cell phone. “I have roaming.”
“But it’s so expensive,” she said.
“You let me worry about that,” I insisted. “Just make the call, say hi to your parents. Tell them you’ve reached Paris safely, and you’ll call them on Christmas day, too.”
“Chance…”
“Seriously, go ahead,” I nodded. “I wish I had parents I loved enough to call and say hello, just because I missed them.”
Natalie’s eyebrows scrunched together, and she looked like she wanted to say something. After a moment, she changed her mind and took the phone I was offering her.
“You’re sure?” she asked.
“Completely,” I nodded.
Natalie looked at me for a moment and shook her head. “You are amazing; you know that?”
“I’ve been told,” I said jokingly.
“No, I’m serious,” she said, taking my hand. “Thank you for bringing me here, Chance. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Her beautiful blue eyes were large and sincere, and I was touched by how keenly she felt the need to show me her appreciation. “I just want you to be happy,” I said.
“I am happy,” she nodded. “I’m happy with you. And I think… I think it’s because I love you.”
I froze for a moment, taken aback by the simple statement that weighed me down with emotion. And yet, I couldn’t say it back to her. She was staring at me, waiting, but I couldn’t open my mouth and say the words.
“Go make the call,” I said, kissing her brow. “I’ll be here waiting.”
She gave me a small smile and a nod before she moved towards the living room area of our suite. “Don’t put on clothes,” I told her. “I expect a thank you when you get back.”
She laughed and gave me a wink. “You can get as many thank-yous as you want.”
She disappeared into the living room, and I turned to the perfect view before me.
Why hadn’t I said it back to her? Was it because I didn’t feel it? Was it because I was scared? Was it because I was afraid to end up like my father? Or was it something I hadn’t even considered yet?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Natalie
“Hi, Mom,” I said, delighted to her voice.
“Nat,” Mom’s voice peaked with excitement. “Oh, honey, you’ve arrived safely?”