49. Chapter 46
W ith our first semester of college completed, Henry, Charlie, and I have the Audi packed and are on our way back to the house. All of my professors allowed me to complete my exams online, even the group project for Mr. Ore. Henry only had one, so he and Charlie spent most of the day together at his apartment while they waited on me.
We got back a little after lunch. Toby, Tal, and Cin must have gotten here before us because Toby’s truck is already sitting in the garage. After unloading our stuff, we all went our separate ways so we can get ready to go shopping. We have an image to uphold, and this Christmas gala Charlie’s father throws every year is black tie only.
With plates at thirty thousand a pop, I can’t imagine anything less.
Charlie’s given us all the do’s and don'ts of the affair, so we all know what to look for and what to avoid. We don’t want to stand out, especially if all goes according to plan.
Cin squeals, shocking us all before racing to the front door to hug her mother, who moved back to New York with Mack after an eventful summer. Their reunion is sweet. I know she misses her mom, but I also know she’s happy for her, too. I figured, with shit going down, that Mack would be involved.
Mack nods to us all, claps his hands, and mimics washing them. “Who’s ready to get all gussied up?”
That makes Talon snort and Toby laugh. Henry’s watching Cin and Lori hug with big doe eyes. They join our makeshift circle, and Creed barks out orders. The shop where he made the ridiculous appointment is in Cardis, so we’re rolling an hour away.
The highway’s a straight shot, so the drive isn’t bad. Henry rode with Toby, Tal, and Cin. I’ve tried not being a total mood killer about it, but I don’t see how I’ll be able to make it up to him when he won’t let me near him.
When we get there, everyone gets out of their vehicles, and as we approach, a man opens the entrance to the tailor shop.
This place looks fancy as fuck. Custom wardrobe extraordinaire, here we come.
“Come, come,” he says, “have a seat, enjoy the champagne.” The man–who must be the owner–says to Fern, who gladly takes a glass and hands one to Lori.
The women all head off in a different direction to try on dresses with his assistants while the rest of us sit and wait to be measured before options are brought to us. Henry’s leg bounces up and down, and I shift closer to him on the couch. He stops, side-eyeing me.
“Are you–I mean, you seem… nervous?” I don’t know why I asked like that.
“I haven’t bought clothes in a long time.” He states plainly. “I haven’t had to try anything on in a while either. I basically live in loungewear and sweats. I… I don’t look the way I did the last time we were all here.”
Slowly inching my hand closer, I run my pinky over his thigh. When he doesn’t immediately scoot away, I take that as a good sign and run my hand over his knee.
“You’re perfect the way you are, Henry. Whatever the size is, it doesn’t matter. You know that, right?”
He turns to look at me, and it feels like we’re the only two in the room. He doesn’t say anything, only smiles shyly. Seeing him give me that smile, one he’s only ever given to me, makes my mouth tip up in a smile of my own. We stay that way, staring at each other for a few seconds.
“Banks,” Dad says, ruining our moment and causing instant rage to boil up inside me. I have to remind myself that we’re taking this slow. So it’s probably best that it happened. My therapist is constantly saying how I have to focus on my restraint instead of acting on my impulses. “Your turn.”
Tapping Henry’s leg, I stand and follow the man that opened the door. He measures my entire body, making notes, murmuring to himself. I tell him to be gentle with Henry and to compliment my suit colors to his.