38. Henley
Henley
“Give ’em hell, baby girl. Show them what happens when you mix amazing talent and a beautiful soul.” Dad sniffles against my forehead while squeezing me tight. Mom pats his shoulder, and he reluctantly releases me to let her have a turn.
She gathers my cheeks into her palms. “Now listen to me, don’t worry about any of us, we are going to be fine. Dad and I already talked about setting money aside so that we can make visits more often when you move.”
“Mom, I don’t even know if I’m going to get the job.”
“Oh hush, we all know you are going to blow the competition out of the water. We are so proud of you, Hen. Go follow your dreams.” She kisses me on the forehead. Her embrace lingers a little longer than usual, but I don’t mind one single bit.
After she steps back, Ryleigh pulls me in for a hug. “Good luck, sis. You’re going to do great. I’m incredibly proud of you, Hen.”
He bends down and picks up a sniffling Lyla, and that’s when I feel the tears I’ve been holding slip free. She’d been crying for the past hour, and I was barely holding myself together. “Who’s gunna make cookies with me?” Her little lip wobbles, and I steal her from Ryleigh’s arms.
“Aww, honey. I’ll be back in a few days and we can bake some more.”
“Noooo, I heard Daddy tell Gwandma and Gwampa that you were going to get the jwob. You gunna weave us fowever.”
Ryleigh mouths an apology over Lyla’s shoulder as I shoot him a glare.
I return my focus back to my niece. “Well, how about I make you a deal. If Em and I do end up moving, we will FaceTime you every week, and we can bake cookies together. Right, Em?”
He comes up behind me and wipes the tears from Lyla’s cheeks. “That’s right. You’ll help remind me when to put the extra chocolate chips in, okay?” She wipes her little red nose with her arm and gives Emerson a little smile before nodding. Then her arms wrap around mine as she squeezes me tight.
Ryleigh lifts her out of my hands so that I can give my friends a hug. Harper and Mel wish me luck, and I promise them to call as soon as I get into the hotel room.
“Thank you for everything,” I whisper to them both.
“You got this, babe. Go get that job! Then find us both a hot, single chef friend and we’ll move up to join you.” Harper smirks.
Emerson steps up behind me and whispers softly, “We got to hit the road, so we make our flights.” I nod, and we say one last goodbye as everyone wishes Emerson good luck in his race.
“You okay?” Emerson’s palm curls around my thigh, giving me a reassuring squeeze.
My family and friends fill the frame of the side mirror as we drive down the gravel path. The smaller they get, the stronger the ache in my heart grows.
Leaving the first time had been hard. But everything about today felt much more difficult.
We all know that there’s a chance that I may not even get the job, but the chance that I might is what has everyone on edge, including me. Looking away from the mirror, I’m met with Emerson’s concerned gaze.
“Honestly, I’m starting to question if I’m making the right decision.” I look out the open window, hanging my arm out to feel the breeze.
“I can turn this car around, Hen. You just say the words, and I will. I want you to do whatever makes you happy.” His fingers interlock with mine, and he brings my hand up to his lips. The tenderness of it makes the growing nerves begin to wane.
“You were right,” I say, watching his brow lift. “Being the head chef of my own restaurant has always been my dream. If I don’t go, I think I’ll forever wonder what could have happened.”
Em hums silently. His thumb slowly strokes the side of my hand. “You owe it to yourself to give it a try. And no matter what happens, know that I’ll be here supporting you every step of the way.”
Letting out a heavy sigh, I squeeze his palm, bringing a smile to my face. “Thank you for making a sacrifice for me. I know if I get this job, moving to New York will not exactly be ideal for your racing career. And I know we might be apart more than we are together, for a while.”
“Nothing with you is ever a sacrifice, baby. I would move to Antarctica and live in an igloo if that is where you wanted to be. I’ve spent too many years without you in my life. Now that I finally have you, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you in it.”
Warmth spreads through my cheeks and down my entire body.
Emerson is my light, my own personal ray of sunshine, lending me his brilliant rays whenever I need them most. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“Are you nervous about going back?”
Em releases my hand, taking off his ball cap and setting it in his lap. He runs his fingers through his thick locks. “A little bit.”
Placing his cap back on, he shifts gears as we merge onto the highway.
“Racing has always given me that rush that I enjoy. The thrill that pulled me out of my thoughts whenever the emotions got too rough. But I’m a little nervous about being away from it for so long that I’m not even sure if I’ll make the qualifiers. ”
“You’ve been at the track almost every day. I promise, you’ll be alright, babe. I’ve never seen someone more focused and dedicated than you are.”
As he changes lanes, I see a smile twitch against his lips.
“There is just so much riding on this race. If I win, Beau said the board will move me up to drive the prototypes. I’ve been striving toward that opportunity my entire career.
” He sighs, his head dipping slightly before he brings it back up to focus on the road.
“I just don’t want to mess it up again.”
“You won’t,” I say firmly, leaning across the center console and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Plus, your Dad and I will be there to cheer you on. You can consider us your good luck charms.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Open your palm.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out something rectangular and places it in my hand. My heart twinges at the sight. “Got you some gum. Figured you might not want to end up on the side of the highway again.”
I bite my lip, trying to contain my emotions as I open the pack and take out two pieces of gum. Unraveling one and popping it in my mouth, I offer the other to Em. “Want one?”
“Of course.” Slowly lifting it to his lips, he places it on his tongue. It may just be my very active imagination, but I swear a growl rumble deep in his chest.
“Cinnamon . . . my favorite.”
When he tosses me that damn sexy smirk, I almost combust in the seat.
I spend the rest of the drive trying to calm my ravenous lady bits.
“Final boarding call for Flight 333 to Queens, New York. Please make your way to the terminal.”
Déjà vu thrums through me as I stand.
Just a few months ago, I was sitting in an airport, watching my entire world crash around me. Only to board the plane and run into the one man that would help me put it all back together again.
Emerson slides my backpack carefully over my shoulders, then chuckles when he notices my carry-on. “Upgraded, I see? Don’t know how I missed it until just now.”
“Oh yeah. I may be sentimental, but that demon spawn suitcase had to go.”
Laughter vibrates his entire body as he wraps his arms around me, holding me tight.
“I’ll see you soon.” Pressing a kiss into the top of my head, he leans back and cups the side of my cheek. “Everything will be okay, I promise.”
When his lips collide with mine, he shows me every reason why I should believe him.
We walk hand in hand toward the gate, and I give him one more long embrace. “Blow them off the track, baby. And I expect a call the minute you cross that line and finish qualifiers, okay?”
“Yes, chef,” he hums, giving me a quick peck. “I’ve always loved bossy Hen.”
He chuckles as I slap him on the shoulder. “I’ll be counting down the days until I see you at your race.”
“Me too,” he says, sweeping a rogue hair out of my eyes. Begrudgingly, I peel myself out of his arms and head for my gate.
The attendant scans my ticket, and I look back one last time before walking down the jet bridge. Emerson’s hands are in his pockets, and though he wears the biggest smile on his face, his eyes can’t hide the sadness. He mouths those three little words one more time, and I do the same.
Even though I know everything will be okay, I can’t help but feel like I’m leaving a little piece of me behind.