Natalie grabs the mostly empty Tequila bottle and chugs the rest then dumps it in the garbage. I shake my head and stick the remains of the joint in a pile of sand we use as an ashtray and walk her out.

"I'm going to start praying for your future husband now."

"Good. My ex-husband is going to need all the prayers he can get when I'm done with him."

A giggle erupts from my throat. "You're already calling your divorce. That's great. Who gets the kids?"

"Psh." Natalie pushes through her lips. "Won't be an issue because I fucking hate kids."

"You're a real piece of work." I joke as we step off the last step onto the first floor. My gaze flickers around the room and I pretend I'm not looking for anyone specific, but I really am. It's quiet and I don't like how empty it feels. The only light is coming from the living room around the corner. I can picture him sitting in his Chesterfield chair with a cigar in one hand, a crystal tumbler in the other. Quiet nights lounging in his leather chair are his favorite. My heart aches to be next to him, but I'm too embarrassed to see him now.

"You love me," Natalie says, taking me away from my thoughts.

"I wouldn't want you any other way."

Our smiles match each other's. Natalie grabs her purse then a water bottle from the fridge before she heads to the door. I follow next to her.

"Tell Daddy I said bye-bye."

I don't conceal my gag. Not only did she call James daddy, but she said it in a sex operator's voice.

"I hate you sometimes. Don't forget to FaceTime me while you're living your best life."

"Oh, I will be living my best life surrounded by balls like the lemons that country produces, while you'll be with ones that look like prunes under the Tuscan sun." She pauses for a second and gives me a smirk. "P.S. I wasn't supposed to tell you what James told me. So, hush, hush, like a good girl."

I stare at her long and hard. Her harmless smile is anything but. Kill 'em with a honey sweet voice and southern belle smile while throwing digs at them. I know her, though. Inwardly she's struggling not to laugh because she's that girl who laughs at her own jokes.

Finally, I speak. "I can't wait until the day you have to introduce me as your mom."

That one breaks her and she throws her arms around me chuckling. We hug each other tight for a moment longer then break apart. Pressing a kiss to each other's cheek, we say goodbye and part ways.

I shut the door and stand there for a moment contemplating what I should do. If I should go to James or just go to bed. After all the alcohol I consumed, plus the smoke, my emotions are delicate now and I feel like I'd cry easily in front of him. That's the last thing I want him to see.