Chapter 28 Henri #2
“Fine. I have them to read Liam’s articles, all right?
Just don’t tell him. He’s weird about that.
He never tells us anything about it anymore.
Hell, he hardly talks about New York at all,” she admits.
“I wouldn’t know he even wrote for Spitfire except for the fact that I was stuck in line at the grocery store and flipped through the Halloween issue from last year.
There was this article on how men remain willfully ignorant about the true commentary of American Psycho so they can make being a capitalist asshole their entire personality. ”
“Oh, I loved that one. It’s how I learned that the movie was written and directed by women. Fuck, he wrote about how his sister told him that after she made him watch it.”
She smiles. “Yeah. That’s how I knew it was him. He hated that movie, too, or, well, anything with gore. I’m glad he got something out of it.”
“I think it would mean a lot for him to know you like his work.”
“What’s the point? It’s not like he’ll suddenly change his mind and get his old job back. Both he and my father are stuck on this idea of Liam running the company. And I . . . well, I’ll be right here with him.” A sadness creeps across her face. “You could talk to him, explain—”
I hold up a hand to cut her off and stop her from spilling whatever secrets that have been eating at her. “You should have that conversation with him. It will mean more if you do. If you’ve read Spitfire, you know who I am to him, right?”
“Yeah, that your relationship is fake, or whatever. It wasn’t the magazine, though. Pen can’t keep a secret for shit.” She releases a throaty laugh and rolls her eyes. “But I have a feeling whatever’s there between you two is special.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. It’s only until tomorrow.”
“Then let’s make sure tonight is the best it can be. Come finish my hair so you can get ready. I can’t wait to see what stupid face he makes when you walk down the stairs.”
I giggle at the thought, but when I do make it downstairs, there he is, looking at me like I put the stars in the sky.
My heart skips a beat and it takes everything in me to not rush down the final steps, since that would almost certainly lead me to tripping and shattering the illusion of my graceful descent.
Bundled in coats, we all pile into June’s SUV and head to the party since there’s no way in hell we’re trekking there in heels.
“Liam can you please DD? June needs to enjoy this tonight. I’m going to make sure she drinks enough that she takes her shoes off and gets on the dance floor,” Pen hisses in a whisper when we exit the car.
“Yeah, of course. Make sure she relaxes a bit,” he says, kissing his little sister on the cheek.
I’ve spent holidays with different families each year, and never before have I wished so much to spend more time with any of them.
It takes a massive effort to not let my mind slip into imagining what it would be like to return year after year, allowing memories to build upon themselves until I know Dulcet Point like a second home.
“All good?” Liam asks, and my face must betray the ache in my chest.
I nod. “I’m just very lucky to be here with you.”
He offers me a hand and I take it as we head inside. “Speaking of dancing, you owe me one tonight.”
“You dance?”
“I have two younger sisters who both freaked out about not knowing how to dance before homecoming. June was the worst; she’s such a perfectionist. I really hope that when I start she’ll be able to take a real break.” His gaze follows her.
Beyond the four of us, the only people in the ballroom are staff members making final adjustments.
The decor is truly breathtaking. The dark wood of the lodge gives a homey feel to the formal affair.
Matching with the deep hues of the red and green, the theme is distinctly classic.
The massive tree in the corner is adorned with bows and is dripping in pearls that match the luxurious poinsettia table displays.
Guests arrive a short while later, the winners of each event, marked with medals hanging around their necks, garnering congratulations from all who pass.
Once the room is packed, June is handed a microphone and thanks everyone for their contributions, highlighting the accomplishments of the young athletes who have been given life-changing resources due to this program before saying she looks forward to what they will achieve in the coming year and reminding the crowd it wouldn’t be possible without them.
Champagne flows like water and cheer burns bright.
Liam never leaves my side, hand resting firmly on my hip as we wander through the masses.
We land in a circle with his parents, and a few other silver-haired men who I vaguely recognize, as well as Kurt, Laura, and their families.
It reminds me of how the holidays used to be with Mom and Dad.
I do my best not to tense and run out of the room. I belong here, just like they do.
“Liam brought home his girlfriend this year,” Ally says. “This is Henri.”
“Hello.” I give a nod as a few members of our circle introduce themselves.
“Oh, Henrietta dear,” Martha, Kurt’s mother, bursts from the ring to give me a tight embrace, my nose flooding with the spiced vanilla perfume she must have bathed in.
“It’s been too long.” She looks back at the group.
“You know I always thought I’d be the one introducing her.
I always thought her and Kurt would end up together. ”
“Is that so?” Peter asks with a cocked brow.
“Yes. They all grew up together—were so close. Henri was actually supposed to join us all on our first trip here, but there were a few complications,” Martha tells them.
The muscles in my body start to seize and my gaze darts to an exit.
“She’s the one who convinced Liam to hop into the slalom at the last minute. She’s an absolute force to be reckoned with,” Ally says, something bright flickering through her eyes, giving me a look at the fierce athlete she once was.
“So, you’re to thank for me losing?” Kurt says, brows raising as a sly grin peals across his mouth. “Isn’t it ironic?”
“Why would that be ironic?” Peter asks, even as a few members of the group smile, catching on.
“Because her father is the reason that this place almost went under a few years back, and now she’s here, helping raise money for charity?” Kurt’s tone is all innocent curiosity.
My stomach bottoms out. I tug free from Liam’s grip, all eyes on me as a shaky, nervous giggle bursts from me. I mumble something about getting water or air or food—I can’t quite tell what I default to because my mind turns to static, with one objective.
Get out. Now.
I dodge past caterers and finely-dressed guests to the closest door. I shove them open and step into the night. The balcony looks out over the lodge, and laughter floats up from below from guests who didn’t come to the gala and are celebrating with beer and burgers.
Shit. This is what I get for not checking where I was headed.
I could hide out here until the party is over, huddling in a corner trying not to freeze to death.
Jumping could work—it’s not too far. I go to the railing and check.
If I just make sure to aim for the snow instead of the hard stone, I could make it out without any broken legs.
The door opens behind me and I spin to face whoever’s decided to interrupt my impromptu escape.
“I wouldn’t,” Liam says. His expression is placid and unreadable.
Does he hate me? I don’t know what else Kurt shared.
But I wouldn’t blame Liam if he hated me.
My dad put all of this at risk—Liam’s family’s legacy on this beautiful mountain.
The legacy he’s giving up his life in New York to pursue.
“What?”
“Jump. It’s farther than it looks and the snow isn’t deep enough to cushion you all that much.”
“Thanks for the advice. Any alternative getaway routes you think I should consider?”
“I’ll walk you out if you want to leave. If Pen and June need a driver they can call me when they want to leave.” He holds out a hand, but I shrink away.
“That’s it? Or are you trying to save yourself from being seen with me?” I demand.
“Fuck. Henri.” He sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “You want to know what happened when you walked away?”
“Not particularly.”
His gaze holds on me as he takes a step toward me. “I told Kurt and that shit-eating smirk of his that I already knew and that he was an ass for trying to get a rise out of us by exposing that in front of everyone just because he felt like he needed to compensate for his own inadequacies.”
“How long have you known?” Somehow, my pulse finds a way to thrum faster.
“Since the night after our first interview. I asked Jasmine for your last name and looked you up.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
His body quivers with a rumbling unamused laugh.“Because I was pretty sure telling you that your dad’s actions nearly led to my family’s business closing was a sure way to make you uncomfortable.”
“And you don’t hate me for it?” I need to hear it.
“Did you personally tell him what to do? Did you benefit from it at all?” He closes the gap between us and cups my face with both hands.
“No, at least not knowingly.”
“And that’s my answer. I don’t blame you.” The pad of his thumb swipes over my cheek. “I can’t imagine what you went through, but I don’t blame you, not at all. How could I when you’re so fucking perfect?”
Warmth surges from deep within me, chasing away the cold.
This is the moment I’ve always been utterly terrified of, when all the pieces of my soul are laid bare for someone to see and I wait for them to turn away, disgusted at what they’ve found.
But Liam, oh Liam, he’s seen the shards and handled them with a reverence I can’t comprehend.