Page 236 of Champagne Nights

I set the brush down, turned around, and faced her. She straddled me as her arms wrapped around my neck.

“I love you, Ellie,” I signed and spoke at the same time. “I’m so in love with you.” I placed my hand on her cheek.

It was the first time since we’d met that those words escaped my lips, and it finally felt so good to tell her.

“I love you, too, Henry.” She smiled as our lips met.

I still hadn’t told her about Kirsten. Ben and Frankie were on my ass every day, but I was too worried about what she’d think or that she wouldn’t want to see me anymore. Every day we spent together was magical, and I didn’t want to ruin things. It just never seemed like the right time. But I knew I had to do it soon because the longer I went without telling her, the worse it was going to be when I did.

Ellie

I walked Henry to the door and kissed him goodbye. He wrapped me in his arms and held me tight before walking out of my apartment. I went to the kitchen, poured myself a cup ofcoffee, and stared out my living room window while I sipped it and thought about Henry. Even though he’d just left, I already missed him. He was the perfect man, and he made me the happiest woman alive. I thought I was happy before I met him, but I was wrong. I didn’t think this type of happiness existed. My mom and James loved him already. We’d met them for dinner several times over the past month, and the three clicked instantly. On the other hand, Joni was happy for me but still skeptical. She felt things were moving too fast. I tried not to hold that against her because I knew she meant well.

“Henry told me he loved me last night,” I signed as I sat across from her in the café.

“Wow. Did you say it back?” she asked.

“Of course,” I signed as my brows furrowed.

“That’s great, Ellie. But….”

“Don’t, Joni,” I signed. “Just don’t. I’m so happy.”

“And I’m happy for you, but it’s only been a little over a month.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s been a week. When you meet the one, you know immediately.”

“Why haven’t you met his parents yet?” she asked.

“I don’t know. You know guys don’t bring a girl home to meet his parents until they’re sure. I’m sure I’ll meet them soon.”

“He’s already met us, including your mom and James. You’ve been out to dinner with them a few times already, and it just concerns me that you haven’t met his family yet.”

“I’ve met his sister,” I signed.

“Only because you ran into them at the hospital.”

“It seems as if you don’t like Henry.” My brows furrowed.

“It’s not that I don’t. I think he’s a nice guy who’s extremely wealthy. Usually, guys like that are hiding something or have skeletons in their closet. He’s too perfect, Ellie. That’s all I’m saying. Nobody is that perfect.”

I was getting irritated, and I needed to change the subject. So, I did. When we finished lunch, I gave her a hug goodbye and headed back to my apartment to get some painting done. I was all caught up with my work for my client's websites, and I needed to finish a painting I promised Frankie for his gallery.

Henry

“June, can you tell my sister I need to see her.”

“Of course, Henry. I’ll send her right in.”

A few seconds later, my office door opened, and Addison walked in.

“You wanted to see me?” She smiled.

“I want to show you something I bought for Ellie,” I spoke as I reached into my desk drawer, pulled out a blue box from Tiffany, and opened the lid.”

“Wow, Henry. That is beautiful. She’ll love it.” She grinned. “When are you going to give it to her?”

“I was thinking of giving it to her tonight. I’m taking her to dinner at Per Se, and then I arranged a horse and carriage ride through Central Park afterward.”

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