Chapter 10

ten

. . .

Henley

“So that was it? He just sent a text saying he’d see you there?” Lulu asked, as I talked to my bestie through my earbuds while walking the short distance to Easton’s parents’ house. He’d texted me the address yesterday and said he’d see me there.

I had a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine in my bag for his mother, as well as a birthday gift for Easton.

“I mean, his mom invited me to the dinner. He didn’t. He probably just felt obligated to text me the address.”

“No way. He wants you there. You had all that flirty banter in the pool—I mean, until he dropped that bomb,” she said.

“It probably wasn’t flirty at all, and I just built it up in my head.”

“Come on! He had a boner pointing at you like he was picking you out of a lineup. The man was flirting his ass off, and you know it,” she said over a fit of laughter.

“I knew I shouldn’t have told you that,” I grumped. I’d pulled out a bottle of wine after Easton had gone completely quiet on me when we’d gotten out of the pool. He’d said that he would take a raincheck on the pasta because it had been a long day.

And then he’d just left.

“Can we not analyze this, please? It’s not like it could go anywhere anyway.”

“Give me three reasons why it can’t go anywhere. Because from where I’m sitting, he’s hot. You’re hot. He’s single. You’re single. You’re both clearly attracted to one another. So why not throw caution to the wind and at least have a fling with that legal eagle bad boy.”

I groaned. “Hmmm… I can give you plenty, but here are a few to start with. He’s my mentor and my coworker. He works for my dad. And he doesn’t do relationships.”

“Those are so lame.”

“Stop. I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” I groaned.

“Fine. But I want an update after the birthday dinner.”

“Deal. Now, tell me how Beckett reached you when you’d blocked him.”

“He did what a typical man does. He sent me flowers and apologized for being caught in a compromising position with Anastasia. This is exactly why we aren’t together. He’s untrustworthy. I just can’t do it anymore. And then, he had the florist write that on the card, which you can guess is going to end up in the press because an employee at the florist will most likely sell the story within twenty-four hours. So, he’s going to fuck me over once again. And then he called me from another number, and I picked up without thinking about it.”

“I’m so glad you ended things with him.”

“Yeah, well, he’s not letting me go very gracefully. And when he pulls this shit and makes a scene in public, my family gets dragged into it. I can’t handle one more call from my father shouting about what an embarrassment this is.”

“I’m sorry, Lu. You’ve done your part. You’ve ended it. You can’t help what he does in response.” I stopped in front of the beautiful ranch house. There were several cars parked out front, and I was suddenly nervous.

“It’s fine. I’m just not going to take any calls from unknown numbers. He’ll get over it soon. I mean, at the rate he’s hooking up with other women, I don’t know how he finds the time to keep bothering me.” She chuckled, but I heard the hurt beneath it.

“I love you. If you want to come hide out here with me, you can stay with me as long as you want.”

“I know. I’ve got a few big trips for work, and then I’ll be back. Are you there yet?”

“Yes. I’m standing out front.”

“You sound a little nervous.” My phone rang while I was on with her, and I saw the incoming FaceTime call from her.

I chuckled as I answered, and she came into view. “Why are you FaceTiming me? I need to go inside.”

“Because you’re nervous and seeing my face always helps.” She smirked. “Listen to me. You’ve got this. You’re Henley Freaking Holloway. Rock star lawyer. Superstar tennis player. And the world’s greatest best friend. Go in there and let that man see you in that dress. His boner will spring right to life.”

I gaped at the phone before looking over my shoulder and gritting through my teeth. “Stooop.”

“You stop. Own that shit, Hen. Even if he’s your coworker, or whatever excuse you keep coming up with, he’s hot. Go torture the man a little bit. It is a birthday party, after all.” She winked.

“I thought you told me that I needed to trust my gut? My gut tells me that this man is trouble. Not that he even likes me half the time we’re together. He’s so hot and cold, he’s impossible to read.”

“You misunderstood me. I meant to say, trust my gut. And my gut says that you should have a hot office fling with the sexy lawyer.”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“Fine. Call me later. Love you big.”

“Love you bigger.” I ended the call and made my way up the flower-lined pathway to the front door.

I knocked lightly, shifting on my feet, as I didn’t know what to expect.

“You were brave enough to come to Sunday night dinner at the Chadwicks’?” Rafe’s voice was all tease as he pulled the door open and motioned me inside.

“Well, I live alone, so I can use some entertainment.”

“I promise you that you’re about to experience it in spades.”

A gorgeous woman came walking around the corner, her hair tied back in a neat chignon and a wide smile spread across her face. “You must be Henley. I’m Ellie Chadwick. It’s so lovely to meet you. Thank you for joining us.”

“Of course. I appreciate the invite.” I handed Easton’s mother the flowers and wine, and the gift bag for Easton dangled in my hand.

His mother pulled me in for a hug.

She hugged me like she’d known me my entire life.

She smelled like roses and sunshine and goodness.

“I love your dress,” she said, as she squeezed one of my hands in hers and took me in. I didn’t know what one should wear to Sunday dinner, so I went with a white floral maxi dress and my cowboy booties. Everyone in Rosewood River wore boots, and I’d always been a fan. They were so much more comfortable than heels. Easton had also mentioned they had a stable on their property, and I was dying to see the horses.

We’d had horses at Westcliff, and Lulu and I used to ride every chance we got. She’d grown up riding and introduced me to it my freshman year, and it had become a passion. An escape.

“Thank you so much. You look lovely, as well.” I smiled, admiring the white wrap dress she wore.

“Is anyone going to say anything about my outfit?” Rafe asked with a laugh, and his mother shook her head and chuckled.

“You’re wearing jeans and a tee.” Ellie dropped my hand and pushed up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “But you look very handsome.”

I’d barely stepped inside this home, but I could feel the love already.

“Are you keeping her hostage in the entryway?” Clark stood at the end of the hallway, holding a beer bottle in his hand.

Rafe led the way toward his brother, flipping him the bird as he did so.

The next twenty minutes were spent meeting the family. My eyes kept connecting with Easton, who watched me from the far side of the room as he sipped his beer.

They were a large crew. Each one bigger than life. And in the short time it took for introductions, I’d gathered a ton of information.

Easton’s parents, Keaton and Ellie, had raised their family in this home. They were both warm and kind. Ellie was the quintessential mother, looking at her children with so much love every time they spoke.

Keaton was funny and liked to razz his boys. They made jokes that Easton’s twin sister, Emerson, was the only one their father was soft on. It was clear they all missed her being at dinner.

I’d met his brothers and cousin at the club when I’d played pickleball, aside from Archer and his adorable daughter, Melody, who was the cutest toddler I’d ever laid eyes on. Archer and Axel’s parents, Isabelle and Carlisle, lived in the house next door, and they were fawning over their granddaughter, even though Archer reminded them that they see her almost daily.

It was a lot to take in, in the best way.

I’d never had a family gathering like this, so it was new for me. But I liked it.

I liked the energy and the laughter and the warmth. It was impossible to miss.

It smelled like barbecue and honey, and my stomach growled in response.

The kitchen was attached to a giant family room, making for one large entertaining space. The kitchen cabinets were painted a French blue, and there was an oversized oak island in the middle that looked more like a vintage piece of furniture that they’d brought in.

Keaton handed me a glass of chardonnay just as Easton walked over for the first time and leaned down to whisper in my ear as chaos swirled around us. “Are you ready to run for the hills?”

“No.” I shook my head and chuckled. “This is great.”

“We’ll see if you’re singing that tune in a few hours.”

“I’ll be just fine.” I held up the gift bag. “Happy Birthday. It’s nothing big, as I didn’t have much notice, but I just wanted to get you a little something, seeing as it’s a birthday party.”

“So proper, Princess.” He smirked, and his cheeks were slightly rosy, eyes a little red, and I guessed he’d been drinking for a while now.

I’d never seen him like this. The man always oozed so much control, but he seemed a little off today.

Everyone started carrying platters to the dining room, but Easton pulled me over to the side and set his beer bottle down and looked inside the bag. “Can I open it now?”

“Sure.”

He reached inside and pulled out the desk plate that I’d gotten him, and he smiled as he looked down at it and read the words. “ Suck Less. Thank you.”

I shrugged and tried to hide my smile. “I figured when people come into your office, they’d at least know what you’re thinking.”

“It’s brilliant. I love it.”

He reached inside and pulled out the coffee mug that read: Evil Genius at Work .

His head tipped back in laughter. “Damn, you’ve already got my number, don’t you?”

“You’re an easy read, Chadwick.”

His tongue swiped out along his bottom lip as his gaze locked with mine. “I don’t know about that, but thank you for the gifts.”

“Dinner’s ready, and I’m hungry. Mom won’t let us eat until you two come to the table,” Bridger said, his tone flat, and he made no attempt to hide his irritation.

“You know, you have the patience of a toddler.” Easton raised a brow, setting the birthday gift on the table, where a bunch of other packages sat.

“I’m fine with that. And I think Melody is also annoyed with you for making us wait. It’s a dick thing to do.” Bridger’s lips twitched the slightest bit, and then he and Easton both started laughing.

“Let’s go. This guy gives hangry a new name.” Easton led the way to the dining room, where the conversations were flowing.

All at the same time.

This must be how big families communicate. The home I’d grown up in was never loud. Everything was very—controlled. My father was always working.

I basically grew up with the people who my father employed, and when he was home, we’d have dinner, just the two of us.

I wasn’t complaining. I’d had a very fortunate life.

I’d just bought a gorgeous house on the water with the money from my trust fund.

I was grateful. I was.

But that didn’t mean that I wasn’t lonely sometimes.

Darleen had run our home, and she was more like a mother to me than my own mother had been, if I were being honest. I’d only spent summers with my mom most of my life, so Darleen cared for me day to day.

She even traveled with us when my father and I went on vacations. Thomas had been my father’s driver since I was a little girl, and he’d always attended all of my tennis matches with Darleen before I left for boarding school.

And once I’d met Lulu, I knew she was family.

But I highly doubted any member of the Chadwick family had ever felt lonely.

You could feel the love in this room.

Bridger took his seat beside his father, and Easton pulled out the chair next to where I assumed he was going to sit, as those were the only two open seats.

“We’re so happy you’re here with us, Henley. Sunday dinners are my favorite,” Ellie said as she looked at me, and all the little side conversations came to a stop at once.

“Yeah, yeah. We’re glad she’s here. And she’s as good as Easton, if not better, at pickleball, so that’s also fabulous. Can we eat now?” Bridger asked, and the table erupted into laughter.

Keaton picked up the platter of barbecued chicken and ribs and passed it to Bridger, who I’d just learned was the oldest of the four brothers. His cousin, Archer, was two years older than him, and he set a piece of cornbread on his adorable baby girl’s plate before passing it to Easton. There were mashed potatoes and applesauce and baked beans. I’d never seen such a spread before.

“I’m sorry that my oldest son is lacking manners when it comes to dinnertime.” Ellie chuckled. “So, Easton tells me that you graduated from Harvard Law School, and you played collegiate tennis at Stanford?”

Clark whistled as if he were impressed. Easton shot him a look, so clearly, they had their inner dynamic that I wasn’t privy to.

“Yes. I’d been playing since I was a little girl. I still miss it sometimes, but I started playing pickleball for fun during law school, so that helped.”

“Is there anything you can’t do, Henley Holloway?” Rafe asked, his tone flirty.

“ Is there anything you can’t do, Henley Holloway ?” Easton mimicked him in a dramatic voice, which had the table roaring with laughter again. “Dude. Check yourself. She works with me.”

“Ahhh… the birthday boy is finally speaking. I figured a little flirty banter with your coworker would do the trick.” Rafe winked at me.

“Yes, it’s not dinner without Easton’s sarcasm.” Clark passed the mashed potatoes to his aunt. “But I agree with Rafe. You’re clearly talented.”

Easton groaned and kept his tone low so only I would hear him. “Kiss-asses.”

I chuckled as the conversation continued. Easton left to get a whiskey, and it was a generous pour, and I didn’t miss the looks that passed around the table when he’d returned.

It wasn’t judgment if I was reading them correctly.

It appeared to be something softer. Maybe empathy or sadness or even concern.

I wasn’t certain, but he tipped his head back and downed the amber liquid in one swift move.

“How many times do you think the Chadwicks are going to be mentioned in ‘The Taylor Tea’ this week?” Axel asked, before taking a bite of his cornbread.

“Earmuffs.” Bridger shot a look at his cousin Archer, and without another word, Archer put his hands over his daughter’s ears. She was completely unfazed and eating her mashed potatoes like they were the best thing she’d ever had. Her grandmother, Isabelle, sat on the other side of her, helping her along. “That is some sort of bullshit. What’s their obsession with us, anyway?”

“Well, we’re clearly handsome and charming and the hottest topic in Rosewood River.” Rafe smirked. “I don’t have a problem with it.”

“You don’t have a problem with them insinuating that something happened with me and Desiree Carson? That was a low blow, even for that asshole column,” Easton hissed.

“No. Because we know nothing happened, and she didn’t actually name you,” Rafe said.

“She insinuated as much. The litigation comment was a dig at Easton.” Bridger reached for his beer. “I think it’s Emilia Taylor sitting behind her keyboard, judging everyone. She’s always had it out for me, and now she’s turned her attention to the whole damn family.”

“Okay, the earmuffs are off. I’d like to eat my dinner. I don’t even read that ridiculous column,” Archer said. “And she didn’t have it out for you. She had a crush on you. I told you that in high school.”

“A crush? She was out for blood. That girl is cutthroat.” Bridger shook his head, and everyone laughed once again.

It must be a Chadwick family dinner thing. They just seemed to know one another so well, and there was a comfort between them that was impossible to miss.

I envied it.

And I was just happy to be part of it, even if was just for one night.