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“Of course,” I said, smiling at her determination. “I’ll see you soon, Jess.”
After hanging up, I took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The annual fundraiser was something I could control, something that needed my attention and energy. And if I kept busy enough, maybe I wouldn’t have time to dwell on the uncertainties of my personal life.
The rain had picked up by the time I arrived at the café, the rhythmic sound of drops against the pavement creating a cozy atmosphere inside. I spotted Jess immediately, sitting by the window with her signature oversized sunglasses perched on top of her head despite the lack of sun. She waved me over, a broad smile on her face.
“Hey, Nat!” she called out as I approached the table. “I already ordered you some coffee. Figured we could both use a little extra pick-me-up today.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” I said, sliding into the seat across from her. “This weather is perfect for staying in bed all day, but I guess we’ve got too much to do for that.”
Jess laughed, a light, melodic sound that always made me feel better. “Tell me about it. I barely slept last night, worrying about all the last-minute details. First, it was Mike’s birthday. Now it’s the fundraiser—sometimes it feels like there’s too much going on.”
“You always pull it off, though. That’s why I made you the chairwoman of the planning committee,” I assured her, wrapping my hands around the warm coffee mug. “Besides, after today, we’ll have everything squared away for the event.”
Jess nodded, her expression turning more focused. “Speaking of, we need to make sure the silent auction items are all lined up. I know a couple of donors haven’t confirmed yet, and I want to make sure we’re not short.”
“I’ll follow up with them this afternoon,” I promised, already making a mental checklist. “What about the tables and chairs? Did the rental company get back to you?”
Jess shook her head, her brow furrowing slightly. “Not yet. I’m going to call them after lunch. And the band’s good to go—we got the final confirmation this morning.”
“Great,” I said, feeling the familiar rush of satisfaction that came with checking off tasks. “We’re almost there.”
Jess smiled, but I could see the concern lurking behind her eyes. “You doing okay, Nat? I mean, really?”
I hesitated, then nodded slowly. “I’m managing. The fundraiser’s been a good distraction, and honestly, I’m just trying to stay focused on what I can control.”
Jess reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “You’re doing great. And you know I’m here if you need to talk, right?”
“I know,” I said, squeezing her hand back. “Thanks, Jess. I appreciate it.”
We spent the rest of lunch going over the final details, with the rain giving a nice vibe to our chat. But my mind kept drifting back to Ethan. I missed him more than I wanted to admit, but I wasn’t going to let that derail everything I’d worked so hard to build. I had to stay strong for the fundraiser, for the preschool, and for myself.
As we finished up our meal and prepared to head to the planning meeting, I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of accomplishment. Maybe everything wasn’t perfect, but at least I was doing something that mattered.
After lunch, Jess and I made our way to the community center, where the planning committee was already gathering. The rain had eased to a light drizzle, but the gray sky still hung heavily over Cedar Cove. I pulled my jacket tighter around me as we walked in, bracing myself for the flurry of activity inside.
The room buzzed with chatter as volunteers discussed final preparations for the fundraiser. The familiar faces of the committee greeted us, their smiles warm but tinged with the same focused energy that had been driving us all for a while.
“Okay, everyone,” Jess called out as we took our seats at the long table. “Let’s get started. We’ve got a lot to cover and not much time, so let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.”
I sat beside her, pulling out my notes as the meeting began. We went through the agenda, ticking off items one by one. The silent auction, the food vendors, the entertainment—each piece falling into place with a mix of efficiency and determination. But as the discussions continued, I felt a growing sense of restlessness sneaking up on my senses. No matter how much I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting back to Ethan—wondering how things were going in Dallas.
I’d been doing my best to stay busy, to keep moving forward, but the uncertainty of his absence gnawed at me. Even as I threwmyself into event planning, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Or someone.
“Natalie, how’s the silent auction looking?” Jess’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
“It’s coming together,” I replied, forcing myself to focus. “I’ve followed up with most of the donors, and I’ll confirm the rest this afternoon. We’ve got some great items lined up, and I’m confident it’ll be a hit.”
“Great,” Jess said with a nod, but I noticed the way she studied me, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she could sense my distraction.
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur of discussions and decisions. I contributed where I could, but my heart wasn’t fully in it. By the time we wrapped up, I felt drained—not just from the planning but from the effort of holding myself together.
As we filed out of the community center, Jess caught up to me, her brow furrowed in concern. “You okay, Nat? You seemed a bit off in there.”
I sighed, giving her a small smile that I prayed was reassuring. “I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind, I guess.”
Jess nodded, but her concern didn’t fade. “Is it Ethan?”
I paused, then nodded. “Yeah, I guess it is. I haven’t heard from him since he left, other than one text letting me know he was in Dallas and misses me, and I’m trying not to worry, but…”
