Page 50 of Unconventionally, Elle
"Dear God. You know, I don't talk to Margaret that often in the office when I'm in there. She does her thing and I do mine." I shook my head. "I didn't think she was so, so..."
"Manipulative? Passive-aggressive? Entitled? Pick one," he said. "Anyway, she called me and, after bitching me out for God knows what, begged me to get back together. It was the same emotional roller coaster we'd experienced in our relationship."
I rubbed my thumb on his palm, encouraging him to continue.
"I told her no. I wouldn't do it anymore. We were over and I was finally happy... with you."
"I'm happy with me too," I joked and let a smile show. "No, seriously, I'm so happy with you."
"Good--otherwise, sitting on the couch and watching a replay of the game with Louie in our laps would be very, very awkward."
I laughed along with him, then fell quiet. We had to talk about the dinner. "Hey, B?"
"Yeah, babe?"
"That dinner was rough." My voice was cautious; I didn't want to overstep any more than I might have already.
"That's the understatement of the century." He laughed. "But you know what?"
"What?"
"Watching you put my dad in his place made me harder than you can even imagine."
I rolled my eyes.Hard?"Oh my God, Barrett!"
"Elle Watson, you are one sexy firecracker when someone upsets you. If you ever need to pretend you're mad at me in bed, I won't hate it." His deep chuckle made a warm sensation spread through my core.
I leaned over the center console and whispered into his right ear, "Not a problem, Mr. Henry."
32
Now
After a tough Pilates class with Finn, I recounted the Thanksgiving dinner to him, and his big gay heart was fuming. "Okay, other than the fact I rarely see you these days and you're a writing queen, what the actual fuck, Elle? People can't treat you like that." Finn was wiping down his reformer as I took a small drink of water.
"I know, I was more shocked than anything at first. Like, I've never had anyone completely ambush me like that." I moved my machine bar back to the front. "I mean, Mrs. Henry was a tipsy mess and then Mr. Henry was a demon from hell--a very rich demon from hell, I guess."
"Well, there are people like that here, everywhere really. And that opinion isn't uncommon. Ya know, go to college, get your degree, and get the nine-to-five." Finn walked away to throw his towel in the bin. "It's the perpetual cog in the wheel, rat race, all that jazz." He shrugged and rolled his eyes.
"I know, and for the longest time, I thought that was my story, Finn. I really did. And it's some people's story for sure,like my friend Rachel. She's a corporate queen. I just can't do it, though. And his dad couldn't wrap his mind around it at all."
Finn and I walked into the lobby of the studio and took a seat by the smoothie bar he'd just opened. "You know, I really like this smoothie bar idea," I said while I looked at the menu.
"It was Jackson's idea." Finn shrugged. "But yeah, I like it too." He ran his hand over his sweaty hair and turned back to me. "So, dinner was a shit show. The important thing is this: What does Barrett think of it all?"
"He supports me and says he understands. He knows I'm not dating him for the money. God, that's so tacky to even say out loud."
Finn laughed and his dimples made me smile.
"He likes to say he's living vicariously through me and that he wishes he could have a choice. He feels trapped. I don't know." I sighed. "He supports me one thousand percent, that I know for sure. He's told me that."
We grabbed our bags and made our way out of the studio.
"Ellz, just remember, Jackson and I love you, and you'll always be enough for us, even if the Henrys think you're a moochy millennial freeloader. 'K?" Finn leaned over with a big smile and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Oh, by the way, put this on your calendar: Marley and Laura, our good friends from Pennsylvania, are coming over the weekend before Christmas. It's an early mini Christmas party, if you will. Bring Barrett. It's going to be so much fun! Please say you'll be there?" He squeezed my arm.
I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed. "Finn, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"You guys leave for Nantucket soon, right?"
