Kissing Jenna (Big Sky 2)

“Also, you need to know that most of what you’ll see or read about him is completely untrue. And if you don’t listen to him and trust him, it could ruin your relationship quickly.”

“In what way?”

This is freaking fascinating! I’m so happy that Luke and Natalie came to visit, not only because they’re nice people and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them, but because Natalie is the only person in the world I know who gets it.

“Okay, get this.” She leans forward. “Not long after Luke and I were together, he had to go to L.A. for something. I forget what. But while he was gone, I got super sick and had to go to the hospital.

“So, I’m in the hospital room, so sick, and my best friend Jules is with me. The TV is on, and suddenly, there’s Luke, with some other famous movie star, and it looks like they’re super cozy with each other.”

“Oh, God.” I cover my mouth in horror. “That’s horrible.”

“Want to know the worst part? I’d just found out I was freaking pregnant.”

“No.”

“Oh, yes. So, I’m sitting there, sick as a dog and pregnant with this guy’s baby, and as far as I know, he’s canoodling with some Hollywood bimbo.”

“But it worked out.”

“It did.” She nods happily. “The press will spin everything. They always make it look worse than it is. Luke warned me from the beginning to listen to him. That if I had a question, to go directly to him. But in that moment, I didn’t listen, and I assumed that we were through.”

“Oh, Natalie.”

“It was a tough time. But it worked out, and here we are, almost six years and four kids later.”

“That’s a lot of kids in six years.”

She laughs. “Oh, girl, you’re not kidding. But he’s such a good daddy, and he loves me more than anything in this world. The rest of it? Well, it feeds his soul, too. So sometimes we have to compromise, but at the end of the day, the kids and I have Luke, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

“I love your love,” I say with a dreamy sigh. “I admit, I’ve had a crush on your husband since I was a teenager.”

“You and many thousands of other girls.”

“I love that he’s a good husband and father. That I didn’t have a crush on a creep. And that he found you.”

“Thank you. I think that Christian and Luke have a lot in common. You’ll have to be patient with him, Jenna. He’s figuring this all out, and if he’s anything like Luke was when I first met him, there’s a lot about this business that hurts him.”

“I think you’re right.” I swallow around the tears trying to form. “I see a struggle in him.”

“You’re both going to be so great. Each of you is a fantastic catch. And this may be because I’m biased, but I think it works out best for them when they’re with someone who isn’t already part of that crazy world.”

“That makes sense. Natalie, thank you for this. I needed it.”

“I know.” She reaches over to take my hand. “If you ever need to talk or vent or just bounce something off someone, just call me. We are part of a very exclusive club.”

“I’m not exactly part of that club yet,” I reply with a laugh. “He’s only here for a few weeks.”

“I knew I loved Luke after the first week,” she says with a wink. “Time doesn’t matter, Jenna. Sometimes, you meet someone, and you just know. It’s like an instant recognition. Like your heart is saying, oh, there you are.”

“Don’t make me cry.” I sniff. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I care about him, and I know that I don’t want to overthink it.”

“Good plan. In fact, don’t overthink it should be your new motto.”

I take a deep breath and check the time.

“Oh, we should get going. You and Luke have to catch a flight this afternoon.”

“It’s Luke’s plane, so we can leave anytime. But you’re right, I’m ready to get home to my babies.”

Once we’ve changed into our clothes and gathered our things, we walk out to the receptionist to pay.

I pull out my debit card, but the receptionist just smiles and passes me a huge bouquet of pink roses with a note.

I hope you had a lovely time.