She snorts. “Brilliant, as usual. But you’ve had enough to deal with.”
“Ialwayswant you to tell me what’s going on,” I insist. “I want to help.”
She turns to look at me. “Gracie, you don’t havetimeto help me.”
I’m about to argue that I’ll always make time for her, but she holds up a hand. “Look. I’ve known you for nearly my whole life, and while you’ve got a lot of strengths, saying no isn’t one of them. You give everything to the people you love, even when they don’t deserve it. And yes, to be clear, I’m talking about your family and Calvin.” She sighs. “I don’t want to be another person in your life you can’t say no to.”
I swallow hard around the lump in my throat because she’s right. I know I’m a notorious people pleaser, but I never imagined it wouldhurt anyone but myself. “I know I’ve been taking on a lot lately, but it doesn’t mean you’re any less of a priority to me.”
“I know that,” she says. “I guess I just miss you. I don’t have anyone else to watch zombie movies with.”
“I miss you, too,” I say, feeling the words in my bones. “But promise me no matter how busy I get, you won’t keep the big stuff from me, okay?”
She looks away. “I told you, I’m fine. But if you want to get on my good side, you could consider renting a studio if one of them opens up. Just for personal projects!” she tacks on quickly.
I try not to sigh. “I’ll think about it.”
“Perfect,” she says, brightening. “Now spill the tea about Henry and thisdate.”
I do my best to smile, wishing the change in conversation gave me the butterflies I know I should have. Instead, my stomach sinks lower, knowing the clean slate I’ve been hoping for is already a mess with frosting and lipstick. But with any luck, dinner with Henry will put me back on the right track.
All I have to do now is forget about the best kiss of my life and pretend I want nothing to do with the man who gave it to me.
20GRACIE
Four Weeks Before the Wedding
Despite Sofia’s insistence that I should play it cool with Henry, she seems to have forgotten that I am incapable of playing it cool, ever. As I walk toward the restaurant where he told me to meet him, “cool” feels about as foreign to me as Jupiter. This morning, after my daily stress run through the grounds, I got a text from Jude with three of the most panic-inducing words I’ve ever read:I told him.
I called Jude immediately, but he didn’t pick up. Instead, I got another message.
Jude:Heading into a meeting.
Gracie:What did he say?? Is he okay??
Jude:He’s pissed at me, but not at you. He still wants to have dinner.
Gracie:That’s all you’re going to tell me? What details did you give him? Do you think he’s going to bring it up tonight?
Jude:I have to go. I hope you both enjoy yourselves tonight.
After that last text, he set his phone to Do Not Disturb, and I was left on my own to contemplate texting Henry or possibly flinging myself into the ocean. In the end, I did neither, instead opting to bury myself in work and party planning for my mom. But now I’m here, and avoidance-through-checklists is no longer an option. Taking a deep breath, I walk into the restaurant.
Looking around, I’m struck by how romantic and capital-F Fancyit is inside. The space is dim and tastefully modern in muted shades of pink with crisp white tablecloths. It smells like freshly baked bread and flambéed paychecks. Immediately, my guilt ratchets higher. It’s been years since anyone wined and dined me in a place this nice.But he didn’t cancel, I remind myself.He wants to give this a chance, too.
After the host greets me, I’m guided through the room of artfully set tables until I spot him. Henry stands immediately, dressed in an impeccable blue suit and white T-shirt, and I’m relieved to see him smiling.
“Hi,” he says, coming over to kiss me on the cheek as the host vanishes. He only has an inch or two of height on me, which means less back-bending and tiptoeing than with certain very tall people who will not be thought about. Clearly a bonus. Henry draws away and says, “You look beautiful.”
I feel color rise to my face as I get a hit of his spicy aftershave. “Thanks, so do you.”
He grins, dimples on full display as he pulls my chair out for me. “Well, I did wax my unibrow just for you.”
A surprised laugh escapes me as I tuck in my seat and Henry settles across from me. “Thoughtful hair removal before a first date should never go underappreciated.”
“Especially when that hair removal is the only thing that makes me distinguishable from my eighty-three-year-old nonna.”
I smile, but the elephant in the room may as well be perched on my shoulders. Thankfully, he notices and breaks the ice for me.
