“We can talk about anything you want.It’s whatever we want it to be, remember?”
“Then, I’d like more information.”I twist my linen napkin in my lap.“Tell me about Carly.”
“Sure, okay.Umm…” He runs a hand through his hair and pushes up his glasses.“College was hard for me, at first.I partied too much and hooked up a lot.Carly and I were pretty good friends.She was ambitious, straightforward, and getting over a rough breakup.We bonded over that.She helped me get my act together.We both knew we weren’t in love or anything.It was just… friendly and convenient.”
“But you wanted to love her?”I ask, remembering his words from the night of our reunion.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“For Olly.We almost didn’t have him.An accidental pregnancy on the cusp of graduating, and with her about to enter medical school, the most reasonable option was termination.That’s what she initially wanted, and I understood.Nothing should’ve stopped her from pursuing her education, and it washerdecision.”
“But?What happened?”
“I wanted to be a dad, Venus.”His handsome smile returns in a flash.“Carly understood that even before I did.So she offered a partnership.She’d have the baby if I agreed to be his primary caregiver.I’ll always be grateful to her for making that sacrifice.”
I nod, my esteem for Carly rising.
“She loves Olly, and she’s an amazing mom,” he goes on.“We lived together during her residency and as she got settled into her career.We tried to be a traditional family for Olly.We couldn’t make it work romantically, but it was good for us to be together then, to support her as she finished her education, and for Olly to see that his parents are partners and friends.When her residency was over, she picked Wilmington to stay close to us.”
“I saw her from the roof the day I met Olly.She’s quite beautiful.”
His brow quirks.“I’m sure her boyfriend thinks so, too.It’s nice to see her happy, and Olly likes him.”
“How very amicable.Will she be equally supportive when you find someone?”I ask, remembering her unnecessarily touching Henry’s arm and blowing kisses in his direction—two facts that fail to prove her as some nefarious feature in Henry’s life—I know—but that increase my insecurities regardless.
For Henry and me to work beyond the summer, I’d be insinuating myself into a pre-existing family.It’s hard enough to assimilate withoneperson, let alone his child, the mother of his child, and any other people of permanent significance.The prospect feels like agreeing to start a game without knowing the rules when the other players are ahead by a dozen turns.How would any outsider catch up?Or find a way to fit in without causing conflict or stress?I already know Maggie disapproves.
“Of course.She’s already being supportive,” he says.“It’s not like she hasn’t heard your name before.When I dropped him off earlier, she showed him a book she bought on fossils, so they could learn where Mango came from.”
“Oh, good,” I say, despite the anxiety rising within me.I’m suddenly fraught with confused feelings that clash with my reason.There is no evidence to suggest that being in Henry’s life will create a conflict with Olly’s mom, and she sounds like an exceptional person.
But I don’t have an impressive resume when it comes to positive relationships.What if she doesn’t like me?What if I bring confusion and tension to Olly’s life?What if Carly is another version of Maggie, expecting me to mess up?To hurt Henry?To hurt Olly?And what if, like Maggie, she ends up being right?
Negative energy makes my leg bounce under the table and my bracelets jingle with my tapping fingers.I lock my feet at my ankles, willing myself to calm down and stay put.
Henry takes my hands in his, running his thumbs over my pulse points.“Does Carly worry you?”
“Blended families acclimate to include new members all the time.Some might argue that they’re more versatile and resilient in that way,” I say, failing to sound casual.A sigh escapes.“But, yes, it worries me.”
“I understand, but—” The flame from the small oil lamp between us flickers in his eyes before he shakes his head lightly.“You consider blending our families a possibility, then?”
My tension dissipates in his hopeful amusement.“One should consider all possibilities in an experiment.”
“Then, consider this… I’m falling for you, Venus.I loved you before, but it’s stronger, deeper, everything it should be this time.Stay or go—that won’t change.You’re already family to me.So, whatever you need, say it.What Venus wants, needs, hopes, fears, thinks, dreams, worries, imagines… I’m here for it all.And blending won’t be a problem, not if Olly and I can help it.”
My heart seizes in an emotional surge, starting with him and Olly becoming my valiant defenders and ending with Henry loving me,always.The idea of falling in love once seemed so ridiculous, but now I understand.It’s weightless and heavy at once, freeing and desperate, beautiful and terrifying.How is one meant to handle such emotional conflict?
Words spill out of me to fill the awkward silence.“I-I-I, um, your feelings are valid and worth consideration.”
His hands tighten on mine, releasing some of my tension.“Want to get out of here?There’s somewhere else I want to take you.”
Feeling breathless and antsy, I nod before he finishes his question.Henry takes care of the bill before reaching out to me.“Ready?”
I don’t know, but I say, “Yes.”
CHAPTER38
