22. Chapter Twenty-Two
“Chanel, you should’ve seen them – their enthusiasm was through the roof!” I lean over the cool marble counter inside the lobby, my heart still pumping with post-training energy from this morning’s session with the new recruits. “I’m telling you, they were like sponges soaking up every word I said.”
“Uh-huh,” Chanel says, her attention drifting over my shoulder.
“Seriously, one girl, Mandy? She’s got a knack for reading people that’s—“ I trail off as Chanel’s eyes widen. There’s a glimmer in them like someone just got down on one knee and pulled out a Tiffany’s box.
“Cowboy, take me away,” Chanel says, with flushed cheeks.
I frown and spin around to see what all the fuss is about. “Henry?” I can’t hide the shock from my voice, but it’s him, alright. He’s here, standing in the doorway in a sports coat and an old pair of slacks and looking as ruggedly handsome as he does out of place. The sight of him holding a single yellow rose knocks the breath from me.
“No freaking way,” I say under my breath.
“Someone you know, Rose?” Chanel whispers close to my ear, nudging me gently.
“You could say that,” I manage to say, my heart racing like a wild horse.
“Oh, honey. I can’t wait to hear the story behind this one.“ Chanel’s voice holds a note of approval that makes a smile tug at the corner of my mouth despite the shock rippling through my center.
When we lock eyes, Henry smiles the most adorable smile, and it’s almost enough to make me lose myself in his charm. But I can’t. I won’t.
“I’ll be right back,” I say hastily, holding up a finger toward Henry. I look at Chanel with pleading eyes and motion to a nearby empty office. “Can I borrow you for a minute?” Not waiting for her response, I make a beeline for refuge.
Chanel’s heels click rapidly behind me, and once we’re both inside, I close the door with a soft click and lean against it, trying to steady my breath.
“Alright, let’s hear it,” she says, standing in front of me with one brow raised and an expectant look.
“His name is Henry Carter. We grew up together.” Chanel studies my face with an amused smirk while I decide how much of our history I want to share. “When I went back to Sugar Plum, we ran into each other again, and things were fine until his daughter hired me to fix him up, but then we ended up going to our high school reunion together and got stuck sharing a room. Then, he kissed me, and now the whole town thinks I’m using him to get back at Jace, and—“
“Rose, slow down and take a breath.”
I do as she instructs and immediately feel the tension in my shoulders ease.
“Honestly, I had no idea your life was this… exciting.”
“I’m so sorry, Chanel. I should have told you. I was afraid that if you knew about all my drama, you’d worry about it affecting my performance.”
“And has it?“ She looks at me pointedly.
“No! If anything, it’s fueled me to work harder. You have no idea how nice it’s been to lose myself in my work after everything that’s happened. And this job… it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don’t want to let you down.”
“I hear you, Rose. Believe me, I do,” she cuts in. “But forget about me. I want to know what it is that you want?”
My heart lurches at Chanel’s straightforward question. I’ve been so caught up in the whirlwind of my past that, until a few days ago, I hadn’t allowed myself to consider it.
“What do I want?“ I repeat, my head spinning with thoughts.
“Yes, what do you want, Rose? You’ve been telling me all about what everyone else expects of you. What does Rose want for herself?”
I chew on my lower lip, my gaze drifting toward the closed door as if the answers might be written in the wood grain. The truth is, I don’t know. Henry has always been a constant in my life, even when he wasn’t directly in it. But now, with everything that’s happened...
“Rose?” Chanel prompts gently, her eyes searching mine.
I exhale, feeling the weight of the question hanging in the air. “I just... I want to be happy, Chanel. For the first time in a long time, I want to make choices that are purely for me. Not because I’m trying to fix something or someone, not out of obligation or to further my career, but because it brings me joy.”
“And does Henry bring you joy?”
The image of Henry standing in the lobby with that hopeful smile and single yellow rose—a symbol of friendship and new beginnings—flashes through my mind. My lips curve into a small, involuntary smile.
“Maybe,” I admit, a flutter of something light and warm tickling my chest. “But there’s so much to sort out first.”
“Then start sorting, girl. Just remember, this is your chance to rewrite your story.” Chanel’s words feel like a gentle nudge toward a future I’d never quite dared to imagine—one where my own happily-ever-after takes center stage.
“You’re right,” I say, feeling a newfound resolve take root. “You’re a good friend, Chanel. Thanks for believing in me.”
“Anytime, Rose. Now, let’s get back out there before your mystery cowboy thinks he’s been stood up.”
With a deep breath, I straighten my posture and smooth the front of my blouse. My heart beats with anticipation and trepidation, but Chanel’s words echo in my head, giving me strength. I can do this. It’s my turn to choose.
“Here goes nothing,” I say, stepping back into the lobby.
I spot him standing awkwardly near a potted plant, looking like a cowboy lost at a garden party.
“Hi, Henry,” I greet him, keeping my voice light and breezy. He turns towards me as if the whole room tilts slightly on its axis. “Looks like you found me. What on earth are you doing here?”
“Rose,” he says, and just that one word spoken in his deep, warm drawl sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. “Your parents, they—told me you were here.”
My parents?Henry went to see my parents?
Unsure of how to respond, I turn to Chanel, who gives an encouraging nod.
“Chanel, this is Henry Carter. He’s a friend from Sugar Plum. Henry, meet Chanel Harper. She’s the mastermind behind everything you see here.”
“Ma’am.” Henry gives a curt nod in Chanel’s direction, and she smiles even wider, clearly taken back by his thick southern drawl.
“Nice to meet you, Henry. Any friend of Rose’s...” Chanel trails off, her eyes flicking between us. She clears her throat. “How long are you in town for?”
“I guess that all depends.” Henry’s eyes find their way back to mine, only this time, there’s a subtle pink tint to his cheeks. “I was hoping you and I could go grab some dinner later. If you’re not too busy.”
I feel a pang of guilt watching him grasp for words. Henry Carter, the man who could charm birds from trees back in Sugar Plum, seems out of his element in the bustling heart of Los Angeles.
“There’s a fabulous steak house just up the road,” Chanel says when I don’t respond. “They’re generally impossible to get into without a reservation, but I can make a few calls if you’d like. “
Henry searches my eyes until I nod my approval. “Thank you, Chanel. That’s very thoughtful of you. Say around… 7:30?”
“7:30 it is,” she chirps. “I’ll call them and set it up. It’s so nice to meet you, Henry. I hope you’ll stay long enough to take in a few sites. I’m sure Rose here would love to give you the grand tour.“ Chanel nudges my shoulder, and I let out a nervous laugh.
“Well, it’s been great catching up, but my next training starts in half an hour. I can have my car swing by and pick you up around 7:00.” I look back at Henry, who looks more uncomfortable than ever. “Where are you staying?”
“Uh, the Travelodge by the airport.” He offers a smile that seems more obligatory than sincere, and suddenly, I wish I hadn’t put him on the spot like that. After all, I’m the one always telling my clients to let the man lead.
But Chanel is right. It’s time I stop making decisions for everyone else. Los Angeles is such an amazing city, and if I decide to take Chanel’s job offer, I need Henry to understand that it’s nothing personal.
“I guess I’ll let you ladies get back to it, then,” Henry says with an air of what almost sounds like defeat. “Nice to meet you, Chanel. And Rose, I’ll be seeing you later.” He holds up the rose as if to offer a toast, then lays it on a metal table in the waiting area.
I watch Henry push through the heavy glass doors and disappear down the sidewalk, and I can’t help but feel sad. It’s obvious this was Henry’s attempt at a grand gesture, but his timing couldn’t be any worse.
“Ugh, Chanel, what am I going to do?” I groan.
“Do about what? Isn’t it obvious?”
“It’s more complicated than that. Henry and I were always best friends, but he messed up big time. He let his fears get in the way of telling me how he felt until my heart was already broken. Then he promised he’d be there for me but ghosted me for an entire week when I needed him the most. He’s a great friend, but how can I trust he’s serious this time?”
“Rose, the man flew halfway across the country to ask you to dinner. That’s not something you do unless you’re serious.”
I nod slowly, contemplating her words. “Maybe. But even if he was, I’m not ready to jump into something new when I haven’t even finished closing the previous chapter of my life.”
“And who says you have to? Just be honest, Rose. And let the rest of the cards fall as they may.” She crosses the lobby to retrieve the peace offering left by Henry and gives an encouraging smile. “Sounds like you’ve got some thinking to do before dinner.”
“Thinking, yes. And lots of it.” I take the rose and twirl its stem between my fingers, and the soft petals brushing against my skin remind me of Henry’s tender caress that day in the wine vineyard.
“Just... do me a favor,” she says, her tone more gentle this time. “Don’t spend the afternoon lost in what-ifs. Trust yourself to make the right choice when the time comes.”
“Thanks, Chanel.” I muster a smile shadowed by doubt and, despite my best efforts, spend the rest of the day torturing myself.
One minute, I’m taking Chanel’s brand internationally, helping others find love globally, and being fueled by a level of success I’ve never known. The next, I’m with Henry, exploring the possibility of a life with him if we were ever more than just friends.
Either way, there’s the risk of failure, but only one could forever ruin my chances of a fairy tale ending. I just have to figure out which one that is.