Chapter 27
HENRY
Before heading to the Winslow’s, Miles and I stop by the grocery store to grab flowers for Elaine, as well as some drinks. My mom always taught me never to show up empty handed when someone invites you over.
We decide on a bouquet of sunflowers since they are in season, and the florist on shift added baby’s breath that really brought it together.
While I waited for the bouquet to be wrapped, Miles went to grab a pack of beer and a bottle of wine.
We weren’t sure what people would like so we went with both options.
Worst comes to worst, we just take it home.
We check out and Miles breaks the silence when we exit the parking lot, “so, seems like you and the Winslows have gotten close rather… quickly.”
“And?” I say trying to be as nonchalant as I can because he’s right. I can’t help the pull I feel around Maisie, I still want to go beyond friends but I’m taking what I can get.
“And…” he draws out the word, “are you and Maisie just friends, or?” He eyes me skeptically.
“She wants to be just friends so I’m respecting that.”
“Do you want to be more than friends?”
“I… I know I want to be more than friends but I know she doesn’t deserve someone who’s going to leave her at the end of summer,” I reply.
“Not to get all giddy about feelings but when I’m around her, I don’t want to be anywhere else.
I want to be able to touch her in any way I can just to know she’s there. But I can’t.”
“Does she know you feel this way?”
“No. When we made our plan to complete her list she made it clear—after my flirting—that we could only be friends.”
“Hmm.” Miles lets out a breath. “It’s clear that you like her, hell you can’t stop smiling every time her name is brought up.”
I laugh in embarrassment because he’s not wrong, I can’t help the visceral reaction I have to hearing her name.
“I don’t know what to do. I want to do things that friends don’t do but I don’t want to jeopardize the friendship we have and ruin it,” I confess. “If being her friend is all I can have to keep her, then a friend I will be.”
“You’ve got it bad,” he says.
“You’re telling me.”
“When are you going to tell her how you really feel?” Miles questions from his seat.
I let out a breath, dropping my tensed shoulders. “That’s a question I don’t even have the answer to.”
After a few minutes of driving, we arrive at the Winslows and it’s already packed, almost like Elaine invited the whole damn town which wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.
“Do you want to grab the drinks and I’ll get the flowers?” I ask Miles as we hop out of the truck.
“Sure,” he answers as he opens and then closes the back door, drinks in hand.
I feel a jolt of nerves as we’re walking up to the party, instantly spotting the blonde I’ve been lusting over as she laughs with some people I recognize from around town.
I’m so mesmerized I don’t even notice Elaine running up to us, arms held out for a hug.
“Henry! Miles!” she says excitedly, “I’m so happy you both could make it.” She gives us hugs and then winks at me and says, “If you take a photo of her, it’ll last longer.” Miles snorts, exploiting his grumpy exterior.
Not knowing how to respond, I hand her the flowers we picked out, wishing her a happy birthday once more. “I hope you like sunflowers, I know they’re in season so I thought they’d look the best.”
“They’re beautiful.” She brings them to her nose. “Thank you both. I’m overjoyed you’re here, now the party can really begin!” She scurries off inside to set the flowers down and then it’s just Miles and I again.
“I’m gonna go set down the drinks,” he says. “I’ll find you in a bit.”
“You know where I’ll be.” I laugh because I think we all know I’ll be glued to a freckled girl's side all night.
She looks absolutely jaw dropping tonight in a skirt that fits her like a glove and a fitted tank top that has sinful thoughts running through my head.
Part of me wants to stay right where I’m standing, watching her be so effortlessly herself, surrounded by her people. I’m not able to admire her for long because I hear someone calling my name.
“Henry!” Wren yells from next to Maisie. At the call of my name, Maisie turns around and when she sees me, her smile widens. I feel a sense of pride knowing that I caused that reaction. “Get over here!”
I try to act cool as I walk over but I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t pounding out of my chest. Usually I don’t care what people think about me but something about the possibility of Maisie’s people not liking me has me questioning every move I make.
I know I’m just in my head so I grab a beer on my way over to help calm my nerves.
“Hi,” I walk up and wave to the small group, “I’m Henry.”
“Oh we know who you are,” an older guy confidently says. “I’m Kevin,” he holds out his hand for me to shake, “I’m a cook at Ruby’s, I made you the ‘Maisie’s Special’ a few weeks ago.” He waggles his brows.
A chuckle leaves my mouth over the memory of my first day here. “Those were honestly the best pancakes I’ve ever had.”
Kevin gleams at my compliment while Wren introduces me to everyone else in the group.
There are a few coworkers of theirs, some people from high school, and some who they’ve just known their whole life.
I notice a guy about my age standing by Maisie and I’m usually not the type to get jealous or stake my claim—not that Maisie is mine to claim—but I feel the urge to let him know she won’t be his tonight.
Or ever.
Placing myself next to Maisie, I put my hand on her lower back and murmur in her ear, “Miss me?”
I hear a quick inhale from her before she turns her head to me. “Hi,” she says quietly.
I leave my hand on her back just long enough to show everyone that she’s mine.
“Is it hot in here, or is it just me?” Wren fans herself as she talks to Kevin, loud enough for everyone to hear. I immediately feel my nerves go away at the approval of her best friend.
“You guys really put together an amazing party, though I assume your mom picked out the tiara and sash herself?” I tease, bringing my beer to my lips. Maisie’s eyes following the movement.
“You know her so well already,” Wren responds.
“Now who is this fine hunk of meat.” Kevin looks past my shoulder. “Sorry, that was objectifying." Clearing his throat, he says, “Now who is this fine looking gentleman?”
A laugh escapes Maisie, causing her to look away from me and to whoever is behind me.
Jealousy consumes me.
I want her eyes back to me.
“That’s Miles,” she giggles, “Henry’s cousin.”
“That’s Miles? I’ve never been lucky enough to see him up close, only heard whispers and longing stares from afar.” Kevin fans himself once again as Miles starts walking over to us.
“He’s as straight as a ruler, unfortunately.” I laugh.
“A loss for gay men, but a win for my eyes!” He struts over to where Miles appears next to me, causing another laugh from Maisie—music to my ears. “Hello to you!”
“Hi, Kevin.” Miles chuckles and a gasp leaves Kevin’s mouth.
“He knows me.” He turns to me, slack jawed, fanning his face with his hand.
“I can’t forget the cook who makes my favorite breakfast, now could I?”
“If I had pearls, I would be clutching them right now.”
As I’m watching their hilarious interaction, I feel heat on my neck just as Maisie whispers, “I think Kevin just fell in love.” Her voice in my ear might’ve just made me fall in love too.
“He’s been a grump recently, it’s nice seeing him get out of the house,” I respond. “I’m not sure the last time I saw him genuinely smile at someone else.”
We both continue to watch the interaction and I take a sip of my drink in hand.
“I noticed that at the diner when you guys came in,” she sighs. “I’m happy you’re here.”
I try very hard to keep my heartbeat and breathing under control but it’s hard to do so.
“Was that a compliment, Winslow?”
Her embarrassed laughter causes her to laugh into the crook of my neck and I feel my heart pounding again. I wonder if she can feel it too.
“Oh!” She gasps. “I’m sorry, I—”
“Laugh, lean, touch me all you want,” I quietly say for only her to hear. “I promise I don’t mind.” I really want to tell her I want her touching me at all times whether it’s her hand in mine, her head on my shoulder… I just want her near me.
I can sense the questioning in her gaze as she whispers, “Okay.” And as if she’s reading my mind, she puts her head back on my shoulder and her pinky grazes mine. I wrap my pinky around hers and in this moment I feel like I’m finally hers and she’s finally mine.
Peering down, I see her eyes are closed, mouth turned slightly up in a smile. She looks comfortable, she looks like she belongs next to me.
I decide right now that no matter the distance, no matter where we are come the end of summer, she will be mine.
I will do whatever it takes for Maisie to allow me into her world, even if that means staying.
I would stay for her.
The party continues and we sing happy birthday to Elaine who, to no one’s surprise, is loving the attention.
I take out my phone to snap a photo and it captures the perfect moment with Maisie holding the cake, grinning so wide, while her mother blows out the candles. I decide not to tell Maisie about this one, I want to somehow surprise her with it; it will look beautiful on her wall at home.
“So I saw you two getting pretty comfortable over there,” Miles says. “Pretty close friends I see.”
“Yeah.” I don’t look at him but I can feel him staring me down. “I really like her.”
“Just be careful with not only her feelings, but yours too. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Do you think it’s too soon to tell her how I feel?”
“I don’t think so, but maybe not tonight. I know everyone has been drinking, including your girl.” He takes a sip of his water since he’s the driver tonight. “Maybe you two can talk about it next time you check off a date.”
“Not dates,” I correct. “Speaking of which, an item on her list is to go camping. Do you care if we use that area by the small lake on your property to set up camp?”
“Sure,” he says. “I haven’t been down there in ages though, so it probably needs some upkeep.”
“Oh, boys!” Wren yells as she and Kevin waltz up to us, arm in arm. “Would you want to help us get a fire started?”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing you guys swing an axe.” Kevin laughs with Wren.
“Sure.” Miles lets out another laugh and it makes me smile seeing him comfortable and happy for once.
“Be sure to flex those muscles for your girlfriend, Henry!” Wren says. “I’ll make sure she’s watching!”
“Come on.” I start walking towards the fire pit, rolling my eyes playfully. “But let’s get you guys some water first, alright?”
“Whatever you say, Father.” Wren scoffs when I grab two waters, handing one to each of them.