I lean back in my chair, tossing my menu onto the table. “Can it be both?”
“I guess we could call it a ‘Good and Tragic’ instead.”
I snort. “Perfect.”
“And so, the tragic half of it”—he takes a sip of water—“I’m assuming it’s mansion-shaped and filled with secrets?”
I resist running a hand through my hair. Becoming the official owner of Larkwood was never going to feel great. But at the very least, I have a plan to get rid of it. After learning my mom’s decision to stay with my father, I’ve resettled on my original plans for Larkwood’s future. I just need to find a way to make Gracie understand.
“Judy?”
I look up from the fork I’ve been nudging into place. “Sorry,” I answer. “There’s actually something else on my mind.”
Henry nods like he’s been expecting it. “Gracie.”
Jesus, am I that obvious? Can he see my heart beating for her right through my shirt, or did I black out and get her name tattooed on my forehead?
“Yeah,” I say, throat dry, glancing around for our server.Where the hell is my “Good and Tragic”?
He tilts his head, considering me. “She really wanted to change your mind about selling it, man. When are you going to tell her that she didn’t?”
It’s not what I expected him to say, but my guilt has a whole collection of knives, and this one slices through me, quick and bloodless.
“This weekend,” I say quietly, not above praying for a miracle that she’ll forgive me.
“And how long is she going to have to move out and find a place to live?” he asks. “Seems like you’re getting pretty down to the wire if you’re planning on selling in early August.”
“I’m not going to let her be homeless,” I say, sharper than I intended. “I have a plan.”
No matter what happens, she’ll be okay. I’ll make fucking sure of it. But the look he gives me—like he doubts I could ever care for Gracie the way she deserves—dives directly beneath my skin and starts burning me from the inside out.
“Well,” he says, “I know she’s probably got friends she could stay with, but I’m going to offer to let her crash with me, just in case.” His brows knit together as he exhales. “She ended things between us, but it doesn’t mean I’m not concerned about her. And if it leads to a second chance…” He shrugs. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that either.”
Fuck, fuck fuck.A sick, empty feeling in my chest swallows any response I could make. By some miracle, the server arrives at that moment with my drink. He also has a platter of fried squash blossoms, but the smell turns my stomach. I reach for my drink instead, taking a long pull.
“Thirsty much?” Henry asks, laughing uneasily when I put the half-empty glass down.
“Hen, listen,” I say, leaning forward. “I said I had a plan for Gracie, and I do. I was actually going to ask her to stay with me while she finds a place of her own.”
At first, Henry can only stare at me. Then he smiles like he’s just cottoned onto a really bad joke. “Right, okay,” he says, plucking ablossom from the platter and taking a bite. “Fuck that’s delicious,” he mutters, before wiping his hands and mouth with his napkin.
“I’m not kidding,” I say, carefully watching his reaction.
“I didn’t say you were,” he responds, and this time, there’s no trace of levity on his face. “I know you feel bad for leaving her in a tight spot,” he says. “But I’m pretty sure you have a better chance of growing a second dick than getting her to stay with you. Never stop dreaming though, bud.”
Stomach churning, I say quietly, “I think she might, though.”
Henry takes in my expression, and his jaw flexes. “What are you talking about?
At my miserable silence, he goes still. “You didn’t.” He stops. Lets out a short, sharp laugh. “Jesus. You didn’t actually take my advice seriously, did you?”
I blink at him. “What advice?”
“Back when I first told you about the cottage going to Gracie. I said if you wanted it so badly, you should just seduce her.” He shakes his head, disbelief flickering across his face. “It was a fucking joke, man.”
Heat rises in my chest, so hot my vision blurs around the edges. I refuse to even dignify that accusation with a response.
Slowly, clearly, I say, “Things have changed between Gracie and me. We’ve gotten closer.”
