Year of Living Blonde (Sweet Life in Seattle, Book 1) (7 page)

“I’m going with you,” Blair says, untying her apron. “I’ll work late tonight if I have to.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Natalie says. “I can handle it.”

Lindsay, who has just arrived at the bakery, is standing next to Blair. The two of them are a united front.

“There is no way we’re going to let you confront Lena without us. You know that,” Blair continues.

Lindsay nods in approval. “That’s right. We got your back.”

Natalie shakes her head and smiles at them. “All right. I guess you guys can come.” Even though she was planning to confront Lena alone, it’ll be good to have the support. The truth is, she’s nervous.

Of course, Blair insists they take Isadora. Natalie rides shotgun while Lindsay goes for the back seat.

“Wow, this is a sweet ride,” Lindsay says, settling herself in. “I didn’t know this was your car. And you call her Isadora? That’s so cool.”

“Thanks.” Blair smiles. She then turns to Natalie. “I didn’t want to take her just because it’s sunny, though. Riding in style to confront Lena will help get you in the right frame of mind. It’s like wearing new clothes. You feel different about yourself. You’ll see.”

Natalie looks around. “Hey, I’m not arguing. I feel different already.”

Blair motions at both of them. “All right, ladies, sunglasses please.”

The three of them immediately put on their sunglasses. Natalie feels like she’s being initiated into some sort of club.

Blair turns and inspects everyone. “Hmm, luckily there’s some red lipstick in my purse.” She directs Lindsay to the purse on the floor behind the driver’s seat. “Why don’t you get some out for Natalie? In fact, we could all use some.”

“But I don’t wear lipstick,” Natalie complains.

“You do today. And don’t argue. Lipstick and Isadora go together like cupcakes and butter cream frosting. Good lipstick is armor, and from what I’ve heard, you’re going to need all the armor you can get.”

Lindsay finds the tube in Blair’s bag and puts some on. She passes it up to Natalie.

“You don’t need a mirror?” Natalie asks her.

“Nope.”

Natalie turns to look at her and, of course, her sister’s lipstick is perfect.

Lindsay kisses the air and then grins. “Years of training. My specialty is putting on makeup in a moving car while getting dressed.”

Blair laughs while Natalie rolls her eyes. “I’m not sure if I want to know how you acquired that specialty.”

“In a completely innocent way, I assure you.”

“Yeah, right.”

Natalie opens the tube grudgingly and pulls the sun visor down. “Well, I definitely need a mirror,” she mutters.

It feels strange putting on red lipstick, but Natalie has to admit the color is right. It’s not a clown red, but more like the color of ripe sweet cherries. She puts her sunglasses back on and turns toward the two of them. “How do I look?”

“Not bad,” Blair says. “Not bad at all. There’s something missing, though.”

Lindsay reaches behind Natalie and pulls the ponytail band out of her hair, so it flows freely.

Blair grins. “Perfect! You should wear your hair down more often.”

“That’s what I’m always telling her, but she won’t listen.”

Natalie checks herself out in the sun visor again. She’s surprised by her appearance. Between the lipstick, sunglasses, and her hair flowing loosely, she looks okay.

She leans back in the seat and rests her arm on the door, feeling glamorous. It’s a foreign sensation, but she has to admit she sort of likes it. Maybe Blair is on to something with this whole traveling in style business.

“So do you know what you’re going to say to Lena?” Blair glances over at her as she drives.

Natalie has been thinking about it all morning. “I’m going to ask her how she can do it, you know? How she can be with a married man. I want her to know there are consequences from her actions and that she’s hurting people.”

Blair nods. “That’s not a bad approach.”

“Well, if you ask me, I think you should go in there swinging.” Lindsay leans forward. “Forget talking to her. That bitch deserves a world of hurt.”

Natalie laughs. “I’m not exactly the violent type. Besides, did you see her yesterday? She looks more muscular than Peter.”

“So what? If you need help, we can take her. What do you say, Blair?”

Blair shrugs. “I am pretty strong.”

“Plus I just started a boxing class last month, so I’ve got moves,” Lindsay says.

“Oh, I was just reading about boxing for women recently,” Blair exclaims. “How is it?”

“It’s totally awesome. Way more fun than I thought it would be. Plus it’s great for self-defense.”

As the two of them talk about the boxing gym Lindsay goes to, Natalie thinks more about what she plans to say to Lena.
She needs to hear how she’s destroying my family.

They park across from the yoga studio and case the joint. Like a lot of the buildings on the street, it’s in a small house that was once someone’s home. The outside is painted lavender with light blue trim and there is gold trim around the door. Herbs are growing neatly in the front yard and an elaborate wind chime hangs near the entrance. The sign is written in what looks like both English and Sanskrit. The studio is called “Lotus Flower Yoga.”

“I can’t believe Lena works in a yoga studio,” Blair says. “I’ve done yoga off and on for years to help me stay focused. It’s hard to believe someone into yoga would be a home wrecker.”

“Oh, she’s focused, all right. The problem is
where
she’s focused.” Natalie leans back in her seat, trying to stay calm.

She continues to study the small house and notices a green flower hand painted on the front door. It looks like it was done with care. She thinks about how ironic it is that both she and Lena are small business owners. The thought helps calm Natalie.
Maybe I can reach her somehow. Get her to go away and leave Peter alone.
Then somehow we can put the pieces of our family back together.

“All right.” Natalie lets out a deep breath. “It’s now or never.”

The three of them get out of the car and make their way up the sidewalk to the studio. Natalie is in the middle with Blair and Lindsay on each side. She suddenly imagines them walking in slow motion together like an old western movie—the gunslinger and her posse.

Natalie opens the door to the studio and is immediately assaulted by the smell of incense. It’s overwhelming. She thinks of how La Dolce Vita always smells like delicious things—fresh cakes, butter, and espresso. There’s no comparison.

A young woman in tight yoga clothes is standing near a wooden counter. The front room looks like it was once a living room, but has been converted to a small shop. There are clothes for sale along one wall, along with books, candles, and more incense.

“Can I help you?” the woman asks.

“Yes.” Natalie clears her throat. “I’m looking for Lena?”

“Oh, are you guys signing up for her new class? Because it’s starting in just a few minutes.” She motions to the next room and Natalie can see a sheer curtain separating the two rooms. There are a number of people sitting on mats.

“No. I just need to speak with her. It won’t take long.”

“I think she’s upstairs in the office. I’ll get her.”

The young woman leaves and Natalie starts to feel nervous again. She can’t believe this is what her life has come to. Standing in some hippie den, gagging on incense as she waits to confront the hussy who’s cheating with her husband.

Blair gives her a supportive smile. “You’re doing the right thing. We’re with you all the way.”

Lindsay waves her hand in front of her face. “Jeez, I can’t believe how much it stinks in here. Are they trying to hide the smell of B.O. or something?”

Natalie laughs nervously. “I know. It’s hard to even breathe.”

She hears footsteps and when she looks up an attractive blonde woman walks toward her with a sexy sway to her hips. She’s wearing the same kind of tight yoga clothes the younger woman at the desk was wearing.

It’s Lena.

And for Natalie, it’s as if time has stopped. She feels sweat break out on her forehead.
Dear God, please don’t let me faint or make a fool of myself.

Lena stops in front of the three of them expectantly. “Can I help you?”

Up close, Natalie can see that Lena has an air of command. Her toned body looks like she’s in permanent boot camp. She’s definitely in her forties, too. She looks older than she did from a distance.
That hair is something else, though.
Natalie has to admit that Lena’s long blonde hair is striking and glamorous. She’s as blonde as Britney Spears, but while her hair might look like Britney’s, her face sure doesn’t. It gives Natalie a sense of satisfaction to see all the lines at the corners of Lena’s eyes and on her forehead.

She’s also deeply tan. Tan just like Peter. That image she had of him on the beach in Mexico lounging next to some hazy figure is now replaced with the sexy clarity of Lena. A wave of outrage comes over Natalie.

“What kind of person are you?” she says, trying to keep her voice from shaking. “Have you no shame?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m Natalie. Peter’s
wife.
”

Lena’s blue eyes widen, but she recovers quickly. “I see and what exactly can I do for you?”

“I want you to stop sleeping with my husband!”

Lena frowns and looks around to see who overheard. The class in the next room seems oblivious. She erases the frown and starts speaking in a compassionate voice. “I’m sorry that you’re having a hard time with all this. I really am, but Peter and I love each other. You finding that hard to accept, Natalie, doesn’t change anything.”

“How can you be with a married man? What’s wrong with you?”

Lena sighs patiently. “He’s not married to you anymore. Not really. In his heart your marriage is over.”

“Is that what you tell yourself? Peter and I have been married for fourteen years. We have a daughter together. You’re breaking up our family!”

“Yes, I know about Chloe. In fact, I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

When she hears her daughter’s name coming from this woman’s lips, Natalie’s anger becomes a black and ugly thing. “Stay away from Chloe. She doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

“I’m sure we’re going to get along great,” Lena goes on. “Peter and I were thinking about taking a trip together with her. It would be a nice way to get to know each other. Possibly Europe next summer? I understand she’s never been.”

Natalie grits her teeth, crazed at this woman making plans to travel with Chloe.

Lindsay suddenly speaks out. “Look, you can forget that. You’re not taking Chloe anywhere!”

“Yes, what’s wrong with you?” Blair chimes in. “Don’t you have a conscience?”

Lena looks at her. “Who are you?”

“I’m Natalie’s friend and business partner.”

“I see.” Lena turns to Lindsay. “And you must be the wacko sister—I’ve heard all about you.” She gives them a hard smile. “I suggest you both mind your own business though, because this has nothing to do with you.”

In response, Lindsay and Blair glare at Lena and take a step closer to Natalie.

“Don’t talk to them like that,” Natalie says. “And my sister is not a wacko!”

There’s movement from behind the sheer curtain that leads into the next room. People waiting for the yoga class are starting to notice their conversation.

“Natalie, I’m not just a yoga instructor. I’m also a life coach. So I understand why you came here today to confront me. But as a life coach, let me tell you it’s time for you to move on.” Lena is trying to sound patient and guru-like, though Natalie can tell her façade is slipping. “I truly hope this meeting between us has given you a sense of closure. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a class to teach.”

She’s dismissing me. After wrecking my life, now I’m being dismissed!

“How dare you!” Rage clouds her vision.

Lena opens her mouth to say something more, but Natalie doesn’t give her a chance. Without a thought, she raises her hand and then . . .

SLAP!

Natalie’s hand stings as she stares at Lena in shock.
My God, what have I done?

Lena appears shocked, too. Her fingers go to her cheek, which is turning bright pink. She seems momentarily confused. But then her eyes narrow and all semblance of the peace-loving yoga guru is gone.

“You fat bitch!” she snarls. “You’re dead!”

She shoves Natalie so hard that she loses balance and lands on the floor. Pain shoots through her right shoulder. She tries to get up, but Lena is suddenly on top of her.

Natalie panics as Lena tries to punch her in the face. She nearly succeeds. Lena is fit and toned, but it turns out Natalie is just plain strong. Hauling around big bags of flour and sugar all these years has its rewards.

“Get off me!” Natalie demands, grabbing Lena’s wrists. “That’s enough!”

“You’re going to pay,” Lena growls, struggling to free herself. “No one slaps me and gets away with it.”

In desperation, Natalie releases one wrist and slaps Lena again.

“Stop that!”

“Then get off me!”

Infuriated, Lena tries once more to punch Natalie, but Natalie blocks her and gets in another loud slap.