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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
EVE
“Just like that,” Henry groans, collapsing back into the chair. His hand slaps onto the table as he goes limp. “I’m beat.”
“A match to the death.” George laughs loudly while he stabs the chopstick through the last spring roll he was just using in his and Henry’s sword fight for it.
I’ve watched them throughout dinner. George is at his best, and Henry seems to be enjoying their games while Jess and I catch up. It feels like forever since the two of us spent any time together. Although she’s putting up a good front, I can tell she’s not sure about Henry. She keeps bringing up our age difference like it’s the be-all and end-all. I’m finding myself zoning out of her prying questions and focusing on the way Henry interacts with George.
It never occurred to me before that he likes kids or that he wants them. The thought makes me shudder. As if he can sense my discomfort, he glances up at me. There’s no hint of the smile he was humouring George with only seconds ago. I’ve never had someone so attuned to me like he is, and for once, it frustrates me.
“Time to go, Mummy,” George announces suddenly.
It’s late, and I imagine he’s getting anxious about the change in his routine. There was only so long that he was going to be distracted by the faux-sword fighting.
“Now, Mummy,” he asserts, getting up and putting his coat on. Pointing down at Henry’s phone, he adds, “It’s past eleven. You said we were going to leave by eleven. We’re late.”
“George,” Jess tries to pacify him. “It’s okay if we’re a little bit late.”
“No. I want to leave now.”
“But Geo—”
“No. No. No,” he keeps chanting as I get up and crouch in front of him.
“Did you want me to take you for breakfast next weekend?” The distraction tactic seems to work momentarily as Jess gets her coat on and orders their Uber. “We can go to that waffle house you like?”
After a moment of debate, he shakes his head at me. “No. It’s time to go home. I want to go home.”
His upset is evident in the way his gaze bounces back and forth between me and Jess, avoiding Henry altogether. It’s a sign he wants comfort, but he can’t get it because everything around him is new and strange.
“Here.” I bunch the hem of my dress and hold it out to him. It’s a way we can hold hands without actually touching each other, and he doesn’t hesitate to take it. “Mummy’s calling a cab, and then you’re going home, all right?”
With a nod, he clenches my dress tighter with long, steadying breaths. He doesn’t let go as Henry settles the bill. Even though I want to argue with him about paying for us all, I let it go this time. It’ll only stress George out more than he already is. As the four of us leave, George continues holding on to my dress, always careful that our hands don’t accidentally touch.
“I’m so sorry,” Jess whispers, mortified, as we wait for their Uber to arrive.
“Don’t be silly, it’s fine. It’s been a long evening for him. The concert, new people, new places, and all the noise. I’m surprised he’s handled it so well.”
She smiles fleetingly before she tells me, “I know you think I’m nagging, and maybe it sounds that way too, but I just want the best for you. Right now, you might think that you’re on the same page, however, you’re at different stages in your life.”
“Jess, please don’t.”
“If you get hurt and I haven’t said my piece, I’ll have to live with that. With knowing that your brother is up there pissed off at me for not warning you. You’re young, and your life is just starting out. But he’s had his fun, and he’s lived.” With a deep huff, she shakes her head at me. “Don’t set yourself up for heartbreak, or worse, regrets.”
“I understand, Jess,” I say, giving her a hug as her Uber pulls up. “If I give Henry up because he’s older than me or because he’s lived more than I have, it’ll be my biggest regret. I love him,” I whisper in her ear as I glimpse at him while he holds the cab for her. “I think he loves me too.”
“Of course he does,” she coos, pulling back to cup my face between both of her hands. “What’s not to love?”
“You’re biased.”
“I’m also right.” With a quick peck to my forehead, she starts for the car with me and George following behind her. “Don’t be a stranger. You know where I am if you need anything.”
Nodding, I crouch beside George. “Can I have my dress back, please?”
We release it at the same time as he nods at me, and I watch him wait for Jess to get in the car before he follows her. When Henry closes the door, George knocks on the window and flattens his hand to the glass. I do the same, covering his little hand with mine as I blow him a kiss. These sweet moments with him always make me question whether I really don’t want to have children of my own.
“Where to, my darling Eve?” Henry asks as we watch them drive away. “My place? Your place?”
