17. Emily
Emily
The scent of Henry’s soap lingers in the air as I stand in front of my closet, trying to decide what dress I should have on for tonight’s barbecue and family night.
I’ve been alone for most of my adult life after leaving home for college, and concepts like family barbecue and games night are foreign to me, but I’ve enjoyed going to these things with Henry over the past few months.
They make me feel like there’s now a family I belong to, and I have a man of my own.
Behind me, Henry leans against the doorway, arms crossed over his broad chest, watching with open amusement.
I pull on a deep emerald green dress and glance at him over my shoulder.
“What about this?” I ask, eyes twinkling.
Henry’s smirk vanishes. His gaze darkens, sweeping over me like a slow burn that’s going to combust.
"That dress," he says, his voice rough, like he’s been stranded in the desert for days without water. His eyes track every inch of me, dark and brooding, as I spin in front of the mirror with a teasing smirk. "You’re not leaving the house in that dress."
I arch a brow, pretending to examine myself critically. "Why not?"
He takes a step closer, his jaw clenched. "Because we won’t make it out of the driveway, let alone to my sister’s barbecue, before I pull you into the backseat and—"
"Henry!" I gasp, half scandalized, half thrilled.
He smirks, running a hand through his already-messy hair. "Just being honest, sweetheart."
The dress is a little much. Short, silky, hugging me in all the right places, with a neckline that plunges to show off just enough cleavage to make it scandalous.
The deep emerald green makes my eyes pop, and I know exactly what I’m doing when I shift my weight, letting the hem ride up just a little more.
He groans, rubbing his temples. "You’re trying to kill me."
I grin. "Oh, come on. I thought you were a Navy SEAL, all tough and disciplined. And yet, one little dress—"
"Change," he orders.
I snicker but grab another dress from my bag, one that’s still flattering but doesn’t threaten to make Henry forget how to function. I slip it on, smoothing the fabric down, and turn to him for approval.
His lips quirk up. "I’ll still be thinking about that other one all night."
"That sounds like a you problem, Walker."
He huffs out a laugh, shaking his head as he grabs his keys.
The drive to his sister’s house is peaceful, with the windows cracked open to let in the summer evening air. Henry’s hand taps absently against the wheel, his usual scowl softer than usual.
I glance at him, biting my lip. I have to tell him.
"Henry," I say quietly, shifting in my seat. "There’s something I need to tell you before we get there."
His fingers tighten around the steering wheel. "That sentence never leads anywhere good."
I let out a breath. "It’s about Dane."
He doesn’t react at first, just keeps his eyes on the road, but I see the way his jaw ticks.
"He’s my ex," I continue. "And I was stupid. I texted him that night—after we…you know." My face heats. "It was a mistake, and now he’s here, and I don’t know if he’s here for me or if it’s really about the hospital, but I thought you should know."
Silence.
I swallow hard, watching his expression carefully. It doesn’t shift much, but his grip on the wheel is tight.
Finally, he exhales. "You don’t owe me an explanation, Emily."
The casual way he says it makes my stomach drop.
"So what?" I ask, frustration creeping into my tone. "You don’t care?"
His knuckles whiten. "I don’t have the right to come between you and whatever you want. We both know this is temporary."
A pang shoots through me, sharp and unexpected.
I know that. But hearing him say it?
That hurts.
Before I can respond, we pull up to Sarah and Logan’s house. The warm glow from the backyard lanterns spills onto the driveway, laughter and conversation floating through the air. The scent of grilled meat and fresh-cut grass wraps around me like a nostalgic hug.
I square my shoulders, swallowing my feelings. Tonight is not the night to overanalyze whatever is happening—or not happening—between Henry and me.
As soon as we step into the backyard, Sarah greets me warmly, Logan waves from the grill, and then—
“Why aren’t you holding hands?”
Grace stands between us, hands on her hips, looking deeply offended.
Henry sighs. “What?”
She gestures between us. “Fiancés hold hands! It’s basic relationship stuff.”
I flush and before I can respond, Henry surprises me by sliding his fingers through mine.
His grip is warm. Steady. "Can’t disappoint Grace," he murmurs, his warm fingers threading through mine. His thumb brushes over my knuckles, a lazy, absentminded caress that should mean nothing.
But it sends a shiver racing through me. I tell myself it means nothing. But my heart? My heart feels different.
I feel my face and other parts of my body flush as he leads me inside. Soon, Henry and Logan tend to the grill, Sarah, Grace, and I settle onto the patio, drinks in hand.
Sarah nudges me with her elbow. "I have to say, Emily, you’ve done wonders for my brother."
I raise a brow. "Oh?"
Grace chimes in before Sarah can respond. "He smiles more now. You should see him when you’re not looking—he gets all soft and dreamy-eyed."
I nearly choke on my drink. "Henry? Dreamy-eyed?"
Sarah grins. "She’s not wrong. And I haven’t seen him this engaged in anything since—" She stops, choosing her words carefully. "Since before everything happened."
My chest tightens.
Henry never talks about it. I don’t push. But I know losing his friend on his last assignment changed him.
Sarah clears her throat, sensing my shift in mood. "Anyway, you’re also making Logan look good. Thanks to you, the hospital upgrades are actually happening. He owes you big time."
I wave her off. "It’s nothing. Just doing my job."
Sarah snorts. "Right. Because saving an entire hospital is just part of the job."
"She’s a superhero," Grace declares. "But the kind that doesn’t wear spandex."
I laugh. "I could wear spandex if the occasion called for it."
"Please don’t," Henry calls from the grill. "I can barely handle you in regular clothes."
Sarah and Grace burst into laughter as I send Henry a mock glare. He smirks, the picture of smug satisfaction. And just like that, a bit of the tension from earlier melts away.
The evening air is thick with the scent of charred wood and slow-burning embers, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket.
The fire pit in Sarah and Logan’s backyard crackles softly, its glow flickering across the porch where Grace and I sit, legs curled up on wooden chairs, our drinks resting on the small table between us.
The night is quiet, except for the occasional laugh from inside where Henry and Logan are still by the grill, finishing up the last of the food.
Sarah hums along to an old country song playing on the radio.
It’s peaceful—a word I never imagined I’d associate with my life after everything that’s happened.
Grace sighs, stretching her arms behind her head. “I love nights like this.”
I smile, tilting my head toward her. “Yeah?”
She nods. “It’s the kind of night that makes you feel special.”
“Special?”
She kicks her legs up onto the wooden railing, her grin as mischievous as ever. “Yeah. I’d bet if me and my parents weren't here, you and my uncle would be trying to make me a little cousin right now.”
I spit out my drink, my eyes round in shock. “Grace!”
She side-eyes me. “You know I’m right. I saw the way he looked at you earlier. Like he was two seconds away from throwing you over his shoulder and running off into the woods.”
I snort. “That’s his default expression.”
Grace makes a face. “His default making baby expression.”
A laughter bubbles out of me as I nod toward Sarah and Logan. “What about your parents? Think they’re working on siblings for you?”
She groans. “God, I hope not. I like being the only kid. It keeps me special.”
I laugh. “Ah, so you enjoy being spoiled?”
“Oh, absolutely. But don’t tell my parents I know that.” She tilts her head at me, eyes twinkling with curiosity. “What was your childhood like?”
I hesitate. Not because I don’t want to answer, but because my childhood wasn’t this. Not even close.
Still, I keep my tone light. “Chaotic. Loud. My mom was… complicated. Some days she’d take me out for ice cream, let me stay up late watching movies. Other days, she wouldn’t even remember to pick me up from school.”
Grace frowns. “That sucks.”
I let out a small laugh. “Yeah. But, I had my Nana. She was the one place that ever felt like home.”
Grace nods thoughtfully, then nudges me. “Ever had a childhood crush?”
I snort. “Oh, definitely. His name was Jacob Reynolds. He had this terrible bowl cut, but I swore he was the love of my life.”
Grace giggles. “What happened?”
I roll my eyes. “I found out he picked his nose in class. Romance over.”
We burst into laughter, the sound mixing with the distant chirp of crickets.
Then Grace goes quiet for a moment, swirling the soda in her cup. “And Henry?”
My stomach dips. “What about him?”
She gives me a knowing look. “How do you really feel about my uncle?”
I open my mouth to deflect, but instead, my mind betrays me—
Henry’s fingers brushing against mine, warm and rough.
His lips pressing to mine, slow and unyielding.
The way he looks at me, like I’m something he’s not sure he deserves but can’t seem to walk away from.
I swallow hard, shifting in my seat. “I—”
Grace raises an eyebrow, waiting.
I sigh. “I’m… getting really fond of him.”
Grace’s lips twitch, but she doesn’t push further.
Instead, she shrugs, standing up. “Good to know.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why?”
She grins. “No reason.”
And before I can press, Logan waves. “We’re running low on drinks. Henry, want to make a quick run?”
Henry nods, dusting off his hands.
Grace perks up. “I’ll come with you! I have to run an errand.”
I watch as they head out together, Henry giving me a quick glance before disappearing into the night. As soon as they’re gone, I step inside, stretching my arms.
Sarah is in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of wine. When she sees me, she gestures toward the stool across from her.
“Got a minute?” she asks casually.
Something in her tone makes my stomach flip.
I take a seat. “What’s up?”
Sarah hesitates, running her finger along the rim of her glass. “I wanted to talk to you about Henry.”
A strange, uneasy feeling crawls over me. “Okay…”
She takes a slow sip, then sets the glass down. “I don’t know how much you really know about him.”
I stiffen. “I know enough.”
Sarah gives me a look. “Do you?”
I grip the edge of the counter, suddenly feeling off-balance. “Just say what you need to say.”
Sarah exhales, as if weighing her words carefully. “Henry doesn’t… open up easily. He’s been through a lot.”
I nod. “I know about his past. His parents. His time in the military.”
Sarah’s lips press into a thin line. “Then you know about Aubrey.”
My breath catches. He’s never mentioned any woman named Aubrey, and the mention of that name immediately sets me on edge.
Sarah shakes her head. “You know he lost a friend on his last mission and that’s why he’s home?”
The friend was a woman? Henry never talks about her.
Sarah watches my reaction, then continues. “Aubrey was his best friend. Maybe more. I don’t know if they were in love, but she loved him.”
My throat tightens.
“People thought Henry would never love anyone again after she died,” Sarah says softly. “That he wouldn’t let himself.”
I stare down at my hands, my pulse hammering.
Sarah reaches out, squeezing my arm. “But… with you? He’s different.”
I swallow hard.
Sarah leans back. “I don’t know what’s happening between you two. But I do know my brother. And if there’s even a chance he’s letting himself feel something again—” She exhales. “Just… be careful with his heart. Even if he pretends like he doesn’t have one.”
Her words lodge themselves deep in my chest, heavy and impossible to ignore.
I don’t know what to say. Because I want to be what Henry needs. I just don’t know if he’ll let me.
By the time Henry and Grace return, I’m still stuck in my own head, but I push it aside, pasting on a smile.
The rest of the night passes in a blur of laughter, grilled food, and an absolutely savage game of Monopoly in which Grace dominates us all like a tiny, benevolent dictator.
Grace keeps wiping the floor with all of us, cackling like an evil overlord as she buys up every damn property.
I watch the whole family good-naturedly go at each other.
Logan groans as she snatches up Boardwalk. “How are you so good at this?”
Grace beams. “Because I’m ruthless.”
Henry narrows his eyes at her. “You hustle people at school, don’t you?”
She winks. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Sarah just leans back, watching her daughter, her lips twitching in something dangerously close to contentment. The whole family seems to be having a good time, and I can only pretend I’m having one too.
My mind is still numb with the ache Sarah’s words left behind and it’s hard to act as if I don’t notice the way Henry glances at me when he thinks I’m not looking.
It’s quickly dawning on me that my heart is already tangled up in something I can’t control and when Henry asks if I’m ready to leave, I can only give him a nod in affirmation.
We say our goodbyes, Grace hugging me tightly before I walk out with Henry, his fingers brush against my back as he leads me toward the car, and even the smallest touch sends warmth through me.
We drive in silence for a while. The night outside is dark and endless, the stars blinking overhead.
Finally, Henry glances at me. “You okay?”
I force a smile. “Yeah. It was a great night.”
He nods, but he doesn’t look convinced.
I stare out the window, my heart a mess. The silence stretches between us, but inside my head, my thoughts are screaming.
Because I don’t know if Henry Walker will ever really be mine. Because I don’t know if he’s still haunted by the woman who came before me.