95. Sugar

Chapter 95

Sugar

While we allload up our plates with fresh sourdough, soft scrambled eggs, cream cheese, and smoked salmon, Katelyn keeps up conversation with Natalie, asking how she likes Minnesota.

We all know the basics of what happened. Because of our gossiping husbands. But I still have so many questions.

I won’t ask them though. Not yet. Because I’m familiar with the look in Natalie’s eyes. It’s a look I carried for a long time.

It’s the look of someone who doesn’t have close friends.

And it’s hard to make new ones. The idea can be terrifying, and trying to infiltrate an established friend group can seem impossible. But I did it. And she seems like she’ll fit in just fine.

Plus, I brought a little welcome gift for Natalie. Just something small, but maybe it will help her feel more welcome.

Katelyn already has the carafes of coffee and juice on the table, and Meghan snags champagne glasses out of the cupboard while Steph pops the top of the bottle and pours.

We take the drinks and our plates to the table, and once everyone is seated, I lift my glass.

“To new friends.” I smile.

Natalie is seated across from me, and I hope I’m not trying too hard. I don’t want to weird her out. But she seems to be relaxing. Even if it’s just a little bit.

As everyone starts to dig in, I reach under my chair and pull the gift out of my purse. I hold it in my lap so it’s hidden by the table.

“Okay, so I know this might be…” I shift in my seat. “Silly. But I just wanted to give you something to welcome you to Minnesota.”

Natalie sits up straighter, her brows rising on her pretty face. “You got me a gift?”

I nod.

Then I hand her the stuffed Sleet mascot.

A fuzzy little Blizz.

Natalie’s eyes widen.

And Katelyn dissolves into laughter.

I look between them. “What?”