Page 46 of Unconventionally, Elle
"I'm good, I promise. We're just going to be in the car and then their house. How bad can it be?" I said with a nonchalant shrug.
"Oh, Elle Watson. Those will be your famous last words." He pulled me into a firm hug, and the vibration of his deep chuckle spread throughout my body as I held him tighter.
I knew Barrett and his dad weren't close, especially since the conversation of retirement was thick in the air, and after his panic episode yesterday I knew it was getting to him. He was being pressured--no, forced--into a career he didn't want to pursue. He told me he asked his dad after their conference call yesterday to leave the business to his uncle--his dad's brother--to let him run the company. His father vehemently refused and told Barrett it was his responsibility to the family to be the next Henry in charge. Barrett came back to my condo that night a shell of himself and lay on the couch with his head on my lap for hours while I ran my fingers through his hair and keptThe Officeplaying.
I believed the only reason his parents were having this show of a dinner tonight was so that they could finally meet me, the new girlfriend. Barrett had confessed that Thanksgiving was never a huge deal for his family, and usually his parents would travel out of the country, leaving him and Emma to celebrate by themselves.
We were moving toward the door when I added, "Well, even if your dad is there and it's a little tense, I'm sure we will have a great time with your mother." I smiled at him reassuringly.
Barrett stepped in front of me and shook his head in disbelief. "Elle, I don't know where you get your positivity from, but I love it. My mom will be thrilled I'm visiting for dinner, that's for sure. The faster we get this dinner over with, the better. I'd rather be on the couch watching the Red Sox as usual, but with you of course." He winked, then opened the door, holding it open for me to walk through. "We should hurry. My mother has a strong aversion to tardiness." He checked his phone onelast time and then slipped it into his coat pocket. His slim navy blazer accentuated his broad shoulders.
Winter was in full force, and a fresh blanket of soft snow dusted the ground. The sun was beginning to set over the horizon, and the ice crystals on the bare trees sparkled. The cold caught me by surprise, and my gasp left a cloud of breath that lingered while we walked to his Lexus SUV.
"I told you you'd want a jacket." He smirked as I pulled my arms in for warmth.
"Oh, shove it," I teased back. "I'm . . ."
He opened the door and in his other hand was a heavy winter jacket.
"Just in case, I thought I'd grab it," he said confidently.
I rolled my eyes and smiled as he helped me put the jacket on over my outfit and get in the passenger seat.
"I didn't know you had another vehicle?" I said as I turned the seat warmer on high.
"Well, my Porsche prefers less ice on the roads." He laughed, then pressed the ignition button.
About twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a large iron gate. Barrett put in a code, and the gate rolled back. The driveway turned over on itself for at least a mile before the house finally came into view, a mansion and sprawling estate with heavy original stone and meticulous vintage details. There was a fountain in front of the home, and the driveway looped around it, placing us right at the enormous wooden front door.
"Oh my God." My mouth was ajar as I stared at the mansion before my eyes.
"Yeah, it's nice on the outside," Barrett remarked, "but it's probably colder in that house than it is out here." He gave me a quick eyebrow raise and put the car in park.
An older man with short white hair and a uniform walked from the door to greet us. Barrett made his way around theLexus and opened my door as the man stopped in front of us. "Welcome home, Mr. Barrett." He bowed his head.
I watched, transfixed.
"Good evening, Harold, how are you?" He gave the man a crooked grin and embraced him. Barrett looked genuinely pleased to see him. His smile spread naturally, and his energy relaxed as the old man, Harold, hugged him back with a tight squeeze.
"Very well, sir. Thank you." Harold smiled and stepped back. His eyes went from Barrett, back to me, then back to Barrett. He beamed and then bowed to me. "It's a pleasure to host you, miss."
"Elle. Um, my name is Elle," I replied shyly.
Harold chuckled and straightened. "Welcome, Miss Elle. We are delighted to have you with us tonight." He pointed to the house and looked to Barrett. "Your mother is waiting just inside, sir." He bowed his head again and then walked around the SUV to go park it in the garage.
The front door was larger in person, and as we walked up, Mrs. Henry swung it open to greet us. "Darling, so good to see you!" She wrapped Barrett in a tight hug. "Oh, my boy, I've missed you. It's been too long." She backed up slightly and her eyes captured mine. I knew exactly where Emma and Barrett inherited their crystal-blue eyes from. She extended her arms toward me in excitement. "And this must be your Elle!" She grasped my forearms with cold, firm hands and proceeded to give me an air kiss on each cheek. I was in way over my head.
"Yes, ma'am, nice to meet you." I smiled, shy and slightly intimidated.
She stood up straight and stared at Barrett. "Ma'am?" She raised her eyebrow in disapproval.
"Mother, she's from New Orleans. It's nothing offensive." Barrett smiled warmly at his mother, but when she looked backat me, I caught his gaze from behind her and saw him mouth,Sorry!
"Oh, right, right. They do say that there, don't they?" Mrs. Henry smiled coolly at me and motioned for us to follow her into the house.
Great, this was going to be a fantastic evening. I rolled my eyes to myself and felt Barrett's hand grasp mine firmly. I looked up and he smiled down. A quick squeeze let me know that he was still with me and wasn't going anywhere.
We were led to a large den, where his father was waiting with scotch and cigars. "Barrett, my boy." His voice boomed in the antique room.
