Page 37 of Unconventionally, Elle
"Actually, I get that. Good for you on leaving, and fuck them for treating you like shit." His passion charmed me, and a thin smile spread on my face. "So, you asked for another fun fact, but this isn't so fun." He brought his scotch to his lips again. "I don'tknow if you've heard, but my dad is quite the mogul in this area." Sitting up straight now, he scratched the back of his head with his other hand.
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
"Yeah?"
"Well, Finn told me your family owns a bunch of real estate and not to piss you guys off." I shrugged nonchalantly and sat back in my chair, smiling at him.
"Finn happens to be right. Except it's not me and Emma you have to worry about--it's my father." He gave his head a small shake, as if clearing his thoughts. "Anyways, in my family, the sons work with their father and eventually take over the company. Our business has been in the family for decades, and it's expected that I take over the company after my dad."
"That sounds good though, right?" I asked.
"I know I should say yes. I know that's the right answer and what most people would say, but"--he hesitated before finding my gaze--"I don't want to work for him. I don't want to be a part of the Henry corporation."
Sympathy flooded my system. I reached across the table and placed my hand on top of his. "I get it. It's hard when you want to do something for yourself when others expect you to do or want something else." He was staring at our hands, and I felt a tingle radiate through my fingers. He carefully flipped his palm over, curled his fingers, and held mine gently in his. "So what do you want to do?"
He chuckled lightly and then looked up from our hands. "I want to teach people how to sail." His ears were turning red, and he looked back down at the table.
"Teach people to sail?" I asked. Then, noticing his tense shoulders, I continued. "That sounds like an amazing dream job if I've ever heard one."
His head whipped up and he studied my face with inquisitive eyes. Maybe he thought I was being sarcastic. But I wasn't. I was all in for Barrett Henry, the dreamer. "You mean that, huh?" he asked with a furrowed brow and the slightest grin.
"I think you know the answer." I smiled radiantly at him and lifted my glass. "To the dreamers who dream and the ones who never give up."
He lifted his glass to mine and responded with an enthusiastic grin, "To the dreamers."
26
Now
Our first kiss was on November 4. My key was in the lock, but I didn't turn it, and my shoulders were facing him as if I wasn't ready for him to leave. "Well, thank you for an amazing night, I--"
Before I could finish my sentence, his hand slid to my cheek and his eyes locked on mine. He leaned forward, slowly, intentionally, and I closed my eyes and met him the rest of the way.
Our first coffee date was November 6. He was there when I walked into the Bean Shop, and he'd picked the corner booth, my favorite.
The night before on the phone, I'd let it slip where I liked to do most of my writing and who I thought had the best coffee and corner booth views.
"You've scored quite the table, sir," I said as I walked up with my honey lavender latte. He was looking down, and at the sound of my voice, he startled upright. "Whoops, sorry about that." I chuckled. "Waiting on someone?"
"Only the prettiest girl in the city," he said, running his hand through his dark wavy hair and grinning. "Please, take a seat, she just arrived." He motioned for me to sit next to him on the teal cushioned bench.
"You're something else, Barrett Henry." I felt my cheeks lift with joy, and each step felt like I was floating toward him. When I sat down, he leaned over and kissed my cheek with a light, delicate peck.
And later after we finally had our first night together, that's when I knew I was in trouble.
Barrett picked me up and we went to a basketball game together. He assured me that I would enjoy an indoor sport better than outside in November. But also, they had barbecue pork nachos, and he knew by now that I was a sucker for tasty bites. I wasn't expecting basketball to be fun because, well, sports, but it was exciting being seated on the court with Barrett. Especially when he would put his arm around me or kiss me on my cheek just because. I felt light. I felt... happy?
After the game, Barrett and I left the TD Garden and drove south.
"I thought we were staying at my house tonight?" I asked when I noticed we weren't going toward Back Bay.
"Actually, I wanted to show you my place. I think it's time you met the most important person in my life." His flirtatious side-eye made my stomach flutter.
"I'm right here, aren't I?" I gave him a wicked smile and reached for his hand. We intertwined our fingers, and he gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
"My other special person, smart-ass." He sighed playfully. "Are you okay with coming by?" This time he looked over at me and I saw the excitement in his eyes.
"I don't know, B. I do like sitting onmybalcony with you in the mornings." I loved teasing him. "Plus, I have a comfy bed, you said so yourself." I lifted my chin in fake triumph.
