Page 32 of Speechless

HAAAM are helping Craig pack while Adamma and I sit by the pool to avoid any further man-drama. I think I heard Henry say he’d take care of cleaning up dinner. I wanted to talk to him, figure out what happened, but I could tell he wanted to be alone.

I’m feeling embarrassed about the thoughts in my head seeing Henry so . . . wild. I didn’t even know that was something I liked. God knows Jack wasn’t the bar fight kind of guy. But I can’t get Henry’s predatory eyes out of my mind. I feel my heartbeat speed up just thinking about it.

Luckily, Adamma brings me back to reality.

“So, why were you being so hard on yourself about dinner? That was ambitious, and you said you’ve never even tried to make sushi before, right?” She looks at me incredulously.

“Well, Henry and I went to Nobu the other night, and he told me how much he loves sushi, and then the dinner kind of . . . didn’t happen, so I was just trying to make it up to him, I guess?”

What I don’t mention is that it’s also a thank you for him baking cookies with me the other day. For how he wanted to do something nice for me. For how he looked at me when I let him lick the spatula . . .

“What do you mean, the dinner didn’t happen?”

“Well, I don’t know, actually. I haven’t really talked to him about it either, he just kind of froze up? So we left.” It feels like a betrayal telling her this and I immediately feel the guilt rising in my belly. I should change the subject.

“Oh, well that’s not surprising. He doesn’t exactly get out much.”

“What do you mean? Because of work?” The quick pang of guilt has now changed into curiosity as I remember him passing on our margarita outing a few days ago. Maybe Adamma knows more than I thought.

“Hey, erm, mind if I interrupt for a moment?” Henry appears beside me and I say a silent prayer that he didn’t hear us talking about him.

“Hi.” I smile up at him and there’s a brief moment of silence. He looks so handsome in the moonlight.

“Thank you for a lovely dinner, yet again. Sorry about the, erm . . . after-meal entertainment.” He winces at his own joke—adorable. “It really was delicious; I hope Craig didn’t ruin the night for you.”

“Are you kidding?” Adamma cuts in. “That was the most exciting meal I’ve ever had in this house. What the hell did he say to you?”

Henry looks pensive but doesn’t respond.

“I just hope you’re okay,” I jump in, trying to ease the tension. “You looked pretty upset.”

“I’m fine, really, just embarrassed. He should never have spoken to either of you like that. And I refuse to work with someone who treats people that way.”

He pauses, looks like he’s deciding if he wants to say more. “Luce, your meal tonight was wonderful, truly, but I was, erm, hoping we could try getting sushi out again, a different place of course.”

“Sure. Of course, any time. I don’t think I want to try making it again. Honestly, once was enough.”

“Great, let’s plan on Friday. We’ll go at six.” Another pause. I wonder how often he plans what he wants to say like this. “Looking forward to it—Luzu.” He winks and disappears as quickly as he materialized before.

Adamma looks mystified. “Umm . . .Luzu? Did he just ask you on a date?Andgive you a nickname? Are you guysdating?”

“No! Of course not. We’re just friends grabbing dinner.”

She clearly thinks I’m delusional from the look she gives me.

I know the wide smile I’m sporting betrays me but I tell her, “Seriously, just friends, I swear.”

15

Henry

I haven’t leftthe studio since I got home from surfing with Graham this morning. I know it’s been hours from the stiff muscles in my neck and the numbness in my toes. I really need to get outside.

Graham is usually the one person I don’t avoid, but today, I needed space. He wouldn’t shut up about what happened last night, and while I typically can tell him anything, I don’t want him or anyone else to know what Craig said to me.

As soon asI had him away from the group, he started in. “There’s too many damn women in this house.”

“Watch it, Craig.”

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