Page 285 of Champagne Nights

“But seriously, I think what rattled you the most was the fact that the man you love brought it up. You feel like he wants to change you. Am I right?”

“Something like that.”

“I get it. I can see how you’d feel that way. I have this friend. His name is Raphael, and we grew up together. For years, he was way overweight, and he always had been since we were kids. He married the woman of his dreams, and they were happy. We met for lunch one day, and he told me that his wife, Candace, had talked to him about how he might want to lose some weight and was seriously thinking about it. I asked him why, and he said that as much as he loved his life, he knew that by losing some pounds, it could be a little bit better. He could do more things, and he’d be healthier. I’m saying his wife saw his struggles with certain things and threw the idea out there. She wasn’t trying to change him. She loved him exactly how he was. Henry fell in love with the woman you are. He didn’t fall in love with you because you’re deaf. Deaf or not, he still would have fallen in love. If he’d met you, and you had hearing and then went deaf, that would change nothing for him. Just some food for thought.” He gave me a wink as he held out his hand to me.

“Thank you, Carlyle.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. He’s on his way here, just so you know. I sent him a text message while you were putting the groceries away, and I will not apologize for that.”

“I figured as much.” I smiled.

“I need to get back to Lillian and make sure she’s okay,” he signed as he got up from the lounge chair.

“Tell her I hope she feels better.”

“I will.” He kissed my cheek.

He stopped and looked at me as I walked him to the front door.

“There’s a new world out there waiting for you, kid. Not a lot of people get that opportunity. Think about that.”

After I shut the door, I went into the kitchen, grabbed my phone, and texted my mom.

“I’m sorry I left. I’m in Malibu at the beach house, and I’m fine.”

“I know. Henry called me when he found out. He knew I’d be worried.”

“I have to go, Mom. I have a lot of thinking to do before he gets here.”

I went upstairs and laid down on the bed, for I was tired from the flight. Not to mention being in the airport all night. Closing my eyes, I fell asleep.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Henry

When I arrived at the house, my first thought was she went down to the beach. When I didn’t see her, I went upstairs and stood in the doorway of the bedroom as she slept on the bed. Relief washed over me that she was safe. I took a seat on the edge of the bed, leaned in, and softly brushed my lips against hers. Her eyes slowly opened, and a soft smile graced her face when she saw me.

“Hi,” I said, pushing a few strands away from her face.

“Hi.”

“Are you okay?” I signed.

“I’m fine.”

She sat up, and I immediately wrapped my arms around her, pulled her into me, and held her tight.

“I’m sorry,” she spoke.

I broke our embrace and smiled.

“I’m the one who’s sorry,” I signed. “I never meant?—”

“I know, Henry. You don’t need to apologize. I never should have overreacted. Your dad was here earlier.”

“Yeah. Sorry about that,” he signed as he bit down on his bottom lip.

“No. Don’t be. We had a great talk. He helped me see things differently.”

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