50. Chapter 47
Y ou’re perfect the way you are, Henry. You know that, right?
Hearing those words about my body and how it’s changed–gotten rounder, softer, with stretch marks that line my stomach around my belly button–was exactly what I needed.
Worry had crept into my mind, my very bones, and he doused them with those few words. I know they weren’t said to appease me.
He meant them.
I know he did by the way he was itching to touch me and the eye contact he held me with.
Soon enough, he’s waltzing out, and the guy from before is calling my name. Banks brushes his hand against mine as we pass, and just that subtle touch of reassurance makes me want to say to hell with this slow stuff and kiss him already.
I won’t until he’s earned it.
After we’re all measured, the tailor has his assistants pick out full tuxedos for us all. Three options each that will be tailored to our measurements and delivered to our door. Creed pays and thanks the man.
“You’re free,” Creed says, as the girls make their way back into the mens area. I’m surprised they finished that quick. Seeing Opal try on a million things before going to class must not be normal.
Talon says something in Cin’s ear, and she smacks his chest, but the blush on her cheeks makes me happy that he didn’t say it out loud. Secondhand embarrassment is real in this house.
“Would you want to ride back with me and Charlie?” Banks asks. He’s been by my side the entire time, brushing my thigh, hand, anything I allow him to touch.
Looking at Dad, I can tell he’s heard the question, and he gives me a slight nod. “Please,” Banks’s husky voice feels like it’s in my ear, but it can’t be because he’s minding my space, like he said he would.
Against my better judgement, I nod in agreement and head out with them. Swallowing hard, I climb into the back seat, where Charlie looks at me like I’ve grown another head. We’ve been talking more, and I can totally see why Banks likes her. She’s charming, though I’m still not ready to declare her a friend, I don’t think it’ll be long before I do.
“Uh, you’re in the front seat, Sweetheart,” she says, tilting her head in that direction.
“No, you can have it,” I tell her through the window. She groans, pulling my door open she puts her hand out and motions for me to come out. “Enough of this chivalry shit. He wants you to sit up front, and he was pouty about it the whole way here, so do me a favor and sit in the front fucking seat.”
Surprise jolts through my body. She’s bossy. I find it charming because she says it all with a smile.
“Please.” She adds, widening her smile, and I laugh. It burst out of me so fast I didn’t have time to stop it.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, stepping out of the car and watching her slide into the seat I just vacated. Banks is sitting in the driver's seat, watching the whole encounter with a grin on his face and eyes alight with mischief.
Pulling the door open, I drop into the passenger seat and buckle in since Banks has a tendency to drive recklessly, especially when he’s happy.
“To clear the air,” Charlie leans into the space between our seats. “I’m sorry that Banks didn’t tell you it was fake long before the bar. I really have no idea why, other than that he’s an idiot.”
Her mention of the bar makes me want to curl into myself, especially with what happened after. Even knowing their relationship is a facade, it still shouldn’t have happened. I’m nobody’s secret love affair, and I should have never allowed it.
“I should be apologizing to you, the things I said and–” Hanging my head, I recall the nasty things I said to her and what Banks and I did after he followed me home from the bar…
She laughs, leaning back into her seat. “No need. I would have said worse if I were in your shoes.”
Whipping back to look at her, I raise my brows.
“Oh, I can be one nasty bitch when I’m drunk.” She winks, and I turn around when I hear Banks chuckle.
“I told you you’d like her,” he says, glancing at me.