I lean back as my eyebrows pull together, Henley standing to his full height. “Was all of that physical manipulation just now?”
“No. It’s me asking you to talk first so that it might be easier for me to talk next.”
Ugh, this frustratingly beautiful, scarred man.
I roll my eyes, but inside I think this man has officially made me melt. “Okay.”
He leads me to the couch, pulling me close to him so I’m practically sitting in his lap. “What on earth happened that made you have a panic attack when you were with my sister?”
My eyes find my hands in my lap, twiddling my fingers as I prepare to tell Henley the same story I told the girls. “I guess I just realized how young and naïve I was about what it takes to make your dreams come true.”
“Uh, uh.” Henley tips my chin up so our eyes connect. “Don’t talk about yourself like that. You’re not naïve, Elodie. You have natural instincts that most grown adults don’t, and trust me, I’ve seen the worst of the worst doing what I do for a living. You’re witty and joyful, not too young. Hell, you make me smile and that’s a feat in itself. Only someone who really has a way with words can do that.”
I try to fight my smile, but it’s no use. “A compliment from Henley Clark? I think I should document this moment so I never forget.”
He tickles my ribs, making me squeal. “Watch it. Gorilla man can still appear at any time.”
“Who?”
He shakes his head. “Never mind. Continue.”
As I rehash the events that led to me leaving Los Angeles, I find it difficult to gauge Henley’s reaction. His face is stoic and his jaw is hard, which isn’t much different from how he normally looks. But when I get to the night at The Charming Bull and brace for his response, he asks a question I wasn’t expecting.
“What’s Liam’s last name?”
“Uh…why does that matter?”
“Just tell me.”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I say, “Henley, you are not going to get all murdery like your sister.”
He arches a brow at me. “The two of usarerelated, sweetheart, which means we share a lot of the same tendencies.”
I place one hand on his shoulder and frame his face with the other. “I’m okay.”
“You had a panic attack because of what some stranger said to you, and it was triggered by a man forcing himself on you. None of that is okay, Elodie.”
“I know, but I’m working through it.”
He frames my face with his hands now, his hazel eyes boring into mine. “You know I would never do that, right?”
“Yes, Henley. I know that.”
He brushes his nose against mine again. “I want you to feel safe with me.”
“I do. Safer than I’ve felt in a long time.”
“Good.”
“Okay. Now it’s your turn, Henley.”
Leaning back, he creates distance between us and lays his head on the back of the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “I don’t know if I can yet, El.”
“I think you can, but I’ll give you time if that’s what you need. Just know that when you’re ready, I’m here to listen.”
“My story? What’s made me so closed off from feelings?” He blows out a breath. “It’s long and makes me so fucking mad that the idea of sharing it gives me the urge to hit something.”
I rest my head on his shoulder. “Then don’t tell me the whole thing. Tell me one part, one piece that will help me get to know you better. That’s all I’m asking.”
