Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Ellie
It was five fifteen when I grabbed my purse and headed down to my mom’s apartment to fill her in about Henry.
“Hi, honey.” She smiled when I walked through the door.
“Hi, Mom, I can’t stay long. I’m going over to Joni and Pete’s for dinner. What are you making?”
“I’m making that cabbage casserole for James, and I was going to ask you if you wanted to stay for dinner.”
“I love that cabbage casserole. But I promised Joni I’d come over. Next time you make it I’ll stay.”
“Deal. How was your lunch date?” she signed.
“It was wonderful,” I spoke and signed at the same time. “I really like him, Mom. He runs his family’s business with his dad.”
“Which business is that?”
“Walker Capital,” I spoke.
“Walker Capital? They’re one of the biggest venture capitalist companies in the country. Did you find out how he knows how to sign?”
“He had a twin sister who was born deaf.”
“Had?”
“She died when she was nine from a heart condition she was born with,” I signed.
“How awful. Poor guy. That must have been hard on him. Did you pay him back for the groceries?”
“I tried, but he wouldn’t let me.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s so sweet, Mom. He’s taking me out Friday night.”
“I would love to meet him.”
“I’m sure you will soon,” I signed as I smiled. “I have to go.” I kissed her cheek.
“You be careful.”
“You need to stop worrying about me.”
“I will never stop worrying about you, no matter how old you are.”
I kissed her cheek one last time and headed to Joni and Pete’s.
I was in the middle of dinner with Joni and Pete when my phone lit up, and I received a text message from Henry. Instantly, a smile splayed across my face as I read it.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” I replied.
“What are you doing?”
“Having dinner with two of my best friends. How is the game?”
“It could be better. We’re losing.”
“Oh no. I have faith they’ll make a comeback and win.”
“I hope so. I’ll let you get back to dinner with your friends. I just wanted to say hi.”
“I’m happy you did.”
“Me too, Ellie.”
“Judging by that huge grin on your face, I’m assuming the messages are from him?” Joni signed.
“Yeah.” I chewed my bottom lip. “He just wanted to say hi.”
“Have you used your voice in front of him yet?” Pete signed.
“No. I just met him yesterday. You know I have to be comfortable with a guy before I speak in front of him.”
“I know. But it sounds like you already are. Has he even asked you if you can speak?”
“No,” I said as I shook my head.
As I was leaving, I hugged Pete goodbye and turned to Joni.
“If something or someone is too good to be true, then it probably is,” Joni signed.
“How can you say that to me?”
“I love you, Ellie, and I don’t want to see you get hurt. It seems like this guy is coming on strong and moving a little too fast. I worry about you.”
“Well, don’t. Henry is a great guy, and we have a connection. There’s something different about him from all the other guys.”
“You’ve been out with him one time. One time, Ellie,” she signed.
“Doesn’t matter. When you know, you know.” I gave her a hug and walked out the door.
Henry
It was Friday, and Kirsten had left for her trip. I only knew that because I knew what time her flight was scheduled to take off. I hadn’t heard a word from her since the other day in my office before she stormed out. I didn’t bother calling her because I didn’t care if she was mad at me. It would be a cold day in Hell before I allowed her to control my life.
I started the day off by sending Ellie a good morning text. We were both up late last night texting back and forth, and then I was up all night thinking about her. I thought about her lips and how beautiful it would feel to kiss them. I thought about her body and how hard I’d get exploring it. I thought about her hair and how soft it would feel between my fingers. But most of all, I thought about what it would feel like to be buried deep inside her. To feel the warmth and wetness of her. By the time all those thoughts rolled through my mind, my cock was rock hard, and I had no choice but to take care of myself. I had no desire to sleep with Kirsten anymore, and I’d been making up excuses. But I knew that couldn’t go on much longer because she wouldn’t stand for it, and she’d say something to my parents about it. She was like that. It was one of the things I disliked about her. She would tattle on me for something in a discreet way to my mother. My mother wasn’t stupid and knew exactly what she was talking about. Then, she would confront me about the issue.
I was sitting in my office when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I spoke.
“Hello, darling.”
“Mother, what a surprise. What are you doing here?” I got up from my seat and gave her a kiss.
“I was just down the hall visiting your father and couldn’t leave without seeing you.”
“What time will Addison be home tonight?” I asked.
“She said around eight o’clock. Don’t forget the barbeque tomorrow at the house. It starts at three, but you’re more than welcome to come at any time.”
“I know, Mom. I haven’t forgotten.”
“So, Kirsten left this morning for her trip with her mother?”
“Yeah. She did.”
“I spoke with her last night.”
And there it was.
“You did?”
“Yes. She told me the two of you got into an argument the other day, and she hasn’t heard from you since. Care to explain what’s going on?” Her brow arched.
“I’m sure she already explained everything to you.”
“All she said was that you put others before her, and you’ve been very distant lately.”
“Why? Because my friends asked me to go to a goddamn game with them?” I raised my voice.
“Don’t raise your voice, Henry. She’s just concerned about what’s going on with you. And frankly, so am I.”
“Nothing is going on with me. I have no idea where this is coming from, and I certainly don’t need her running to my mother to air our dirty laundry.”
“Calm down. There’s nothing to get worked up about. I told her it was probably the stress of the wedding on both of you. I know planning a wedding is stressful and can take a toll on a couple. Darling, we love Kirsten, and she’s going to be your wife in a matter of a few months. I know you’re busy here at work, but you must also take care of your fiancée. Your father never let work get in the way of our relationship.”
I wanted to tell her that was a lie because I knew damn well he was barely home after Abigail died. He practically lived at the office.
“Just make things right and get your relationship back on track. I’ll see you tomorrow. Unless you’d like to come over to the house for dinner tonight since Kirsten isn’t around.”
“I have plans.”
“With whom?”
Seriously? I was thirty years old, and she was still asking me who I was going out with.
“I’m meeting up with Ben, and we’re going to Frankie’s art gallery.”
“That’s nice, darling. Have fun and tell the boys I said hi. But first things first. Call your fiancée and apologize to her.”
I rolled my eyes the moment the door shut. I had nothing to apologize for, and I wasn’t doing it just for the sake of it. I was in a good mood because I was seeing Ellie tonight, and I wasn’t going to let anyone ruin it.