Page 279 of Champagne Nights

“Well, we are now.” She got up from her seat. “Thank you for the coffee, Ellie. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodbye, Henry.”

“Goodbye, Mother. What the hell was all that about?” he signed with a confused look on his face.

“I don’t know, and I’m not questioning it. Maybe she’s had a change of heart.”

“I don’t know. I don’t trust her.”

I let out a laugh. “It took a lot for her to come over here.”

“Did she apologize to you?”

“No. Give her time. I’m sure she will.” I smirked.

“Don’t hold your breath.” He walked over and kissed my lips.

“By the way, what are you doing home? You just left three hours ago.”

“I forgot an important file in my office. I just came back to get it, and I’m already late for a meeting. I love you, but I have to run,” he signed and began to walk out of the kitchen.

“I love you too. Don’t forget Addison and Jack are coming over for dinner tonight.”

He stopped and turned around. “I haven’t forgotten.” He gave me a wink.

Henry

After my meeting, I headed back to the office and ran into my father on the way up.

“How did the meeting go?” he asked as he pushed the button to the elevator.

“It went good. The company is in serious trouble, but it can be extremely profitable with some capital and restructuring.”

“Good.” He patted my back as we stepped inside the elevator.

“I stopped by the penthouse to pick up a folder I’d left, and Mom was there talking to Ellie.”

“She was?” His brow arched.

“Yes. She invited us to a family dinner tomorrow night.”

“Good.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.

“Did you have something to do with that?” The doors opened, and we stepped out.

“We had a talk. I told her about Abigail. She told me I was being ridiculous, but I knew she knew it was real. I may have embellished the story a bit, but I got my point across.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I smiled.

“You’re welcome, son. Now, we need to dig deep into that Jack guy your sister is seeing.”

“Leave him alone. He’s a good man.” I smirked as I patted his shoulder.

Chapter Thirty-Six

SIX MONTHS LATER

Ellie

Things with Henry’s parents took a major turn for the better. They’d finally accepted me, and I’d accepted them. Lillian still never apologized, but I let it go. Apologies weren’t her strong suit, and everyone knew it. The only thing that mattered was we got along. We even went shopping and out to lunch a few times. Addison was back at school, and she and Jack still saw each other. They were good together, and I missed her. We’d become very close, almost like sisters. We’d Facetime every day, but it wasn’t the same as her being here.

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