Neither of us can turn away. It’s like some unseen force is making us zero in on just each other. Henry leans in, and I break the eye contact to look as he licks his lips. He’s mere inches from kissing me. “Tell me, Faith. Who is it?”
My lashes flutter as I will myself to say his name. To tell Henry it’s him I have come to know and desire to be with above all others. My mouth opens, and the words begin to slip out. “It’s—”
“Mama!” Chelsea screams, running into the kitchen, essentially pushing Henry and me apart.
He doesn’t look away as I lean down and pick her up, engulfing her in my arms. A moment later, she turns to Henry. “Are you leaving?” she pouts.
His arms reach for her, and she goes without hesitation. “Do you want me to?” he questions in a soothing voice.
Blonde hair, like her father’s, flies everywhere when she shakes her head in the negative. “No! Never!”
Henry laughs. “Okay! I’ll stay for dinner.”
“Burgers?” she squeals.
“Burgers,” he confirms, glancing at me with raised eyebrows.
Wiggling out of his arms, she takes off, screaming Chloe’s name. I try to run after her so she doesn’t wake the youngest child, but Henry steps in my way.
He kisses my forehead and promises, “This isn’t over. You’ll give me your answer before I leave tonight.”
Chapter 3
My fingers haphazardly tap on top of the table I have secured while waiting for my best friend, Natalie. Regardless of her not having any children and I having two, she is always late, and I’ve learned to love her and accept her for who she is. The fresh spring air flows around me on the outside patio of Barrs Restaurant and Grill, making it the perfect time to be outdoors and have a few drinks before grabbing the kids at Jeremy’s mom’s house. His mom loves those kids more than anything in the world, and I couldn’t decline the free childcare offer now that I am the breadwinner of the family.
Sure, Jeremy had a life insurance policy; It wasn’t much, though. Once I got a job, I took the remaining payout and used it for the girls, putting it toward their college funds and savings accounts. Henry helped me set up everything for them. He really has been my rock during all of this. Jeremy was like a brother to him, and I know they spoke about a lot of things before my husband passed. I’m sure Jeremy tasked him with keeping an eye out for us. I bet Jeremy didn’t think his widow would fall for his best friend, but somewhere in the past twenty-four months, it happened…even though I wasn’t looking for it, it happened.
I never got to chat with Henry the other night. After dinner and clean up, Chelsea started running a fever, so he left me after helping put Chloe to sleep. I don’t know why he sticks around. Sometimes, I feel as though the chat with Jeremy made Henry believe he is obligated to come around and be here for us. I’ve asked Henry before about it, and he continually maintains he actually wants to be here.
I want him here. I want him here more than anything, and it terrifies me to death. I can’t imagine what people would think should anything ever happen between Henry and I. How long do you wait after your husband dies to move on? I don’t think anyone knows the answer, but I’ve realized I can’t be alone for the rest of my life. I’m twenty-eight. It would be a life of misery, but is Henry the answer?
And what happens if the lump turns out to be cancer? What am I going to do?
I shake my head. I can’t think that way. I have to be strong for us all. That’s what I told Jeremy when we found out he had cancer; it’s what I’m telling myself.
“Faith.” Natalie’s voice breaks up my negative thoughts. “Earth to Faith.”
When I refocus, I find her hand waving in front of me, and as soon as she realizes she has my attention, she sits her petite body down in the wicker chair across from me. The waiter gets to her before I can respond.
After ordering a margarita, she sets her blue eyes on me while attempting to push a lock of her short blonde hair behind one ear. “So…”
I take a sip of my drink, letting the cool liquid soothe me. “So?”
Natalie huffs as she falls to the back of her seat. “Don’t play dumb with me. I called you the other night, and Henry was over.”
My shoulders come up in a shrug. “And…?”
The waiter drops her drink off, and she slowly takes a sip before inquiring, “And, did you jump him?”
I immediately shush her while looking around the patio. We live in a small town, and everyone knows everything and everybody. And my best friend has a big old mouth, which is why I didn’t want to tell her in the first place. It’s also why I decided not to inform her about the lump. While Henry will respect me and keep it quiet, Natalie would tell the whole damn world. After that, I’d have more help at my house and more noses in my business than I do now.
“Keep it down, Nat,” I scold her like she is one of my girls.
Her head falls back as she laughs. “I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. Did you or did you not lock that down?”
Uncomfortable talking about this, I cross one leg over the other and look around before answering, “No, I didn’t. Chelsea got sick, and anyway, it’ll never happen.”
Natalie nods her head in what seems to be understanding, but I can tell she’s getting ready for her attack. It in the glimmer I notice in her eyes. “Because he hates the girls.”
