Page 49 of Always a Bridesmaid

“It’s just, I didn’t have the best role model for a mom and my dad died in a car crash when I was a kid. So I don’t know if I’d know how to do it right.”

“I thought you had a typical growing up?” he asked, because that didn’t quite track with what she’d told him at the winery.

She lifted a slim shoulder and let it fall. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to say?”

“I want you to say the truth.”

She rolled onto her back and looked up at the sky. It wasn’t often that she broke eye contact, so he knew she was fighting her emotions. He cupped her hip and drew her closer, until her side was nestled into his stomach.

“My mom was never the warm and fuzzy type. Not that my dad didn’t love her, but they got married because she got pregnant with me. I don’t think she ever really wanted kids. She was ambitious, very career-focused, and after my dad died, she threw herself into work even more.”

“That sounds lonely.”

She looked up at him through her thick lashes and the sadness he saw there tore his heart in two.

“It was. At least I had my dad for the first twelve years. He had enough love for ten parents. But when he died there was just this big void. You know?”

“Yeah. My dad was my hero. He’s the one who got me into racing. We shared the same love for the sport. He was at every race, every practice, even worked as my mechanic as I got older. So when he left and didn’t even look back, I was so angry andconfused. But at least I had my mum and sisters. It sounds like you didn’t have anyone.”

His heart ached at the idea of her being so alone in those crucial years with no real family to lean on. Especially after losing her dad. Henry’s father had walked away of his own accord, but Elle’s had died, leaving behind no hope of a second chance.

Not that Henry wanted a second chance with his dad any longer. That ship had sailed. But there had been a time, after the initial anger had worn off, where he’d thought that maybe someday his dad would come home, and their family would be whole again.

He knew that there was a part of Sarah who still wanted that. A piece of his sister who’d never given up the hope of a reconciliation. Henry was stuck between protecting her from further hurt and bursting her bubble, so whenever she brought up their dad, he’d just listen.

He’d never imagine that one day it would lead to Will showing up at Sarah’s wedding.

“In high school and college, I made some friends, who are my whole world. They are my family now.”

“Is that how you met Finn and his mom, through your friends?”

She nodded. “Georgia works for The Wish Foundation and when she shared his story, I knew I had to help if I could.”

“You could have just asked me,” he said, making lazy patterns on her hip, his fingers sliding just under the hem of her top.

“I didn’t want to be just one more person who wanted something from you. You get that all the time.”

“It would have been different coming from you.” Because he knew now that Elle would never take advantage of him or hisfamily. She was as real and genuine as they came. It was her most attractive quality.

Was she gorgeous? Hell yeah. He hadn’t been able to keep his eyes or hands off her all day. But it was her spirit and inner beauty that he was starting to fall for. And he was starting to fall. How could he not? She was everything he had been looking for and didn’t know he needed, all at the same time. And she was leaving in less than a week.

Her life was in the States and his was on the circuit. Then again, his season didn’t go year-round. Training never ended, but he could train anywhere.

Jesus,was he really considering this?

He looked into her fathomless green eyes and decided, yes, he was.

“You could never be that. You wouldn’t take advantage,” Henry said.

He wasn’t sure if it was shyness or something else, but she quickly turned away as if unable to look at him, which was not normal for his firecracker. “I’ve never met anyone like you.” His words seemed to upset her, which was the exact opposite of his intentions. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s still a lot about me you don’t know.”

“Which is why I’m glad we have time to learn about each other. And who knows, you might even start liking me.”

“Liking you isn’t what I’m afraid of,” she said, and before he could ask what she meant, she abruptly stood. “We should get going. Sarah and your mom should be back soon, and we can’t be late for the wedding rehearsal.”

14

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