Page 208 of Enthrall Shadows
“She cried, right there in the restaurant. I hugged her and tried to stop her from breaking down further in public. I didn’t want anyone snapping a photo of me making her cry. I tried to reassure Reese that her coming back pregnant would have been a blow, but we’d have still been together.” I shook my head. “I wanted Reese to realize I would have done anything for her.”
“Why are you obligated to her?”
I shrugged that off. “I told her I planned to help save the preserve and prevent the construction. I have a few ideas.”
“How did she react?”
“She grabbed my arm and wouldn’t let go.” I brushed my hands over my thighs to self-sooth. “Reese wants to see me again.”
“Of course she does,” he said with an edge of protectiveness.
A slew of emotions welled up in me at the same time.
Through the window I could see hummingbirds circling a feeder. I hadn’t noticed them until now.
Cameron followed my line of sight. “Mia has a thing for hummingbirds.”
“You’re a lucky man.”
Never in my life would I have a love like theirs.
He studied my face. “What are you feeling?”
“Honestly, I’m falling for a woman and it’s making me second guess myself.”
“Who are you falling for, Henry?”
Leaning forward, I buried my face in my hands, trying to find a way through the confusion and terror I felt over this precious relationship that was so damn fragile. “I can’t stop thinking about her,” I admitted.
“Ah,” he said softly, realizing.
My attention shot to him. “You got me to open up. How the hell do you do that?”
“A whole lot of love for my brother.” He winked. “And a dash of fuckery.”
I got up and walked over to his desk, resting my hand on the long box. “I’m strangely in the mood for fireworks.”
His “dash of fuckery” I could do without.
But seeing my brother this morning at his home had felt impressively inspiring. I had this reputation for remaining closed off, but he’d sliced through that with his uncanny gift.
Finally, I’d also admitted my plan in coming here to him.
He’d given me his blessing.
Tonight, I’d giveEyes Wide Shuta run for its money.
I turned the masquerade mask around in my hand to reexamine it. This glamorous disguise would match my bespoke tux, tailored on Savile Row while visiting London.
I wasn’t going to call what happened earlier with my brother a session. It was more like a brotherly chat.
I had been heard.
And understood.
His open-mindedness meant I could tell him anything and he wouldn’t be shocked and he wouldn’t judge. That’s what we wanted from everyone, I suppose.
To be seen and loved for who we are, and that was why doing this was imperative.
