Chapter 21 #2
I’m speechless, both because of his generous offer and because of the absolute enormity of what he’s suggesting.
This competition won’t be mom-and-pop chocolate makers.
It draws the best of the best. The award money is often a decent sum, which we could definitely use, but as Henry pointed out, the most valuable part of winning is the name recognition, the free publicity.
Winning a competition like that can set your business up for success like nothing else.
Not even Savor would give me that kind of visibility.
And Henry is offering me a chance to compete.
It’s an amazing opportunity. I’m completely terrified.
“I…I don’t know what to say,” I stammer, heart hammering in my chest. Thinking about trying to compete with people at such a high level is daunting.
It’s been seven years since I made chocolate on a regular basis.
I don’t have anywhere near the quality of equipment other contestants are sure to have.
Or the recent experience. While I have been busy changing diapers and making endless pounds of fudge, my competitors have been honing their craft as some of the best chocolatiers in the world.
Henry sees my panicked expression. “You don’t need to decide now,” he says gently. “Sleep on it. Think about it, and let me know.”
I nod, relieved and grateful. “Thank you for the offer. I appreciate it, I really do. I just need to…consider it.” I’d be a fool to say no, but the thought of saying yes is making my palms sweat.
“Of course. Let me know when you decide. The offer stands.”
The rest of the evening flies by smoothly, and we stay until the restaurant closes.
We are the last to leave. Henry walks me to my car.
The night is chilly and I shiver in the stiff breeze that’s whipping up over the bay.
Without a word he takes off his navy swazer and drapes it over my shoulders.
It smells deliciously of Earl Grey tea, and the warmth of his body lingers in it.
I cuddle into the softness, luxuriating in the feeling of being taken care of.
I feel myself melting a little inside. He’s cute and intelligent and kind.
A true gentleman. He doesn’t make me feel like I’ve got electricity crackling through me like when Jakob looks at me.
With Henry it’s more comfortable, it’s easy. Like a warm sweater. Like a cup of tea.
Easy is good, I tell myself. With everything else feeling so complicated, I need something easy. We pause by the car and I start to hand back his swazer, but he tells me to keep it until the next time he sees me.
“That way I have an excuse to see you again soon,” he says with a bashful grin.
“Clever ploy,” I tell him, my voice low and amused. We’re lingering by the car, neither of us in a hurry to move away.
“Emmie, this has been lovely.” Henry puts his hand under my elbow and leans in.
“You’re lovely,” he whispers against my cheek.
I instinctively lean forward, and it happens smoothly and naturally, the kiss he presses on my lips.
We linger for a long, satisfied second, our mouths coming apart with a pop.
It’s sweet and perfect, this kiss. The perfect exclamation point at the end of a delightful evening.
“Goodnight, Henry,” I tell him, getting into the car.
I drive away hugging the swazer to me. On the way home I think about the evening with Henry as Norah Jones croons from my car radio.
It’s weird to feel like I know the end of our relationship while we’re still at the beginning.
It feels a little backward, like reading the end of a love story before you get to know the characters and see them fall for each other.
I’ve watched Henry for years on TV and feel like I know him.
That, combined with the vision of him down on one knee, makes it easy to jump too far ahead, but I need to keep a clear head about this.
I have to remind myself that Henry and I are learning each other.
We’re getting to know each other for real, and that takes time and effort and careful thought.
I don’t want to just fall for him because of the vision.
I want to fall for him in real life too.
Step by step, getting to know the real Henry Summers.
So far I don’t have any major qualms though.
Henry is genuinely lovely. I have a crush on him, I’ll admit it.
And I think he might feel the same way about me.
It’s been years since I was in the butterflies-in-the-tummy stage with a guy.
It’s fun to feel like I’m falling again, this time for the right guy.
When I pull up in front of the house, I take Dani’s napkin list out of my purse, reading it in the faint light of a streetlamp.
To-Do List
· Henry + Emmie fall in love
· Chocolate shop
· Yellow dress
· Engagement ring + proposal
I pull out a pen and make a faint tick by the first two points.
They are both now in motion. Everything is going smoothly.
It’s early days yet. My chocolate shop is more theory than reality at this point, but at least it’s in the works.
And Henry and I are getting to know one another.
I like him. I really like him. I have a good feeling about where all of this is going.
Maybe it’s time to start shopping for a dress the color of sunshine.