Chapter 8

eight

. . .

Henley

It had been a day. I’d loved being in the courtroom. I couldn’t wait to have my own cases and fight for my clients like Easton had done today.

He was different from my father. His passion didn’t just come from the accolades of winning. It came from his love for the law and the way he cared for his clients. My father had always been a workaholic, and he wanted to build something that people talked about.

His passion came from the win.

Whether it was a good win or a bad win, it didn’t matter.

But the world wasn’t always black and white. There were many shades of gray. My father had been the reason that I even went into law. He was passionate and brilliant, and I’d always admired that side of him. He was the most driven man I’d ever known, but he had no balance.

He wanted me to be the best at everything that I did. It was instilled in me at a young age. When I started playing tennis at just seven years old, he’d hired a private coach for me. He was never there to see the work that went into the training, but he would show up to all of my tournaments. And I pushed myself hard, even from a young age, knowing that he’d be there to watch.

If I won, he’d tell me how proud he was of me, and he’d take me home.

If I lost, he wouldn’t wait to bring me home. He’d go back to the office and have Darleen, our house manager, who was basically my nanny, bring me home.

Later, he’d tell me that he’d had to get back to work, but I knew he’d been disappointed.

I knew it even as a little girl.

So, I tried hard not to disappoint him for many years. And when I left for boarding school, I found my confidence.

I found more balance.

Lulu was a big part of that.

And yes, I still won many tennis tournaments, even being the individual state champion in my last three years of high school. But when I lost, I didn’t shut down. I used those moments to figure out what I needed to do to get better.

My father and I were different that way.

And I’d been proud as hell of finishing second in the NCAA championships in college and helping my team get the win.

My father was disappointed that I’d gotten second place.

That’s all he could see at that time.

He wasn’t an easy man.

But I knew that he loved me, and he did his best.

There was a teddy bear with a big heart beneath the overachieving attorney, and I saw glimpses of that over the years.

“You all right?” Easton asked as he merged onto the freeway to head back to Rosewood River.

“Yes. I’m fine,” I said, glancing over at him and keeping my tone light and laced with humor. “Thanks for defending my tennis skills.”

“I shouldn’t have to,” he said. “Your dad can be a stubborn man, and Dick is just—well, he’s a dick. The fact that you played in that game sick is crazy.”

“Yeah, it was rough. It took me a long time to heal after.”

“What happened after?”

“My coach took me to the hospital, and I ended up having pneumonia and bronchitis, so I was admitted for almost a week.”

“Jesus. Did your dad feel bad after he realized you were that sick?”

I chuckled. Easton clearly came from a very different style of parenting than I did. “My father left to catch their private plane home immediately following the match and made it known that he was disappointed in my performance. So, Coach Blackstone took me to the hospital. But yes, I think he felt terrible once he realized I was admitted for several days. He sent flowers. My best friend, Lulu, was there. My grandparents flew out. It all worked out.”

He was quiet for a long moment. “I’m sorry. That was really shitty. What about your mom?”

“She lives in France.”

“They have planes in France, don’t they? She wasn’t there for the tournament? Isn’t her husband a tennis pro?” he asked, not hiding his irritation.

I sighed. “It’s not a big deal. This is the way I grew up, Easton. My mother hates my father. He was unfaithful with his secretary. She won’t attend anything if he’s going to be there, so she doesn’t do tennis tournaments or graduations.”

He cleared his throat and glanced over at me as his car phone rang, and the Bluetooth announced an incoming call from his mother. “I’m sorry. Do you mind if I grab this? She’s called a few times.”

“Of course not.”

He pushed the button as he continued to drive down the freeway. The sun was just going down, and I glanced out the window to see the sky was a mix of pinks and oranges.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Is that my birthday boy?” Her voice oozed that motherly love everyone yearned for. He glanced over at me, and my mouth fell open as she started singing into the phone, and a man’s voice joined in.

It was his birthday?

“Hey, Dad. Thanks for that, guys. We’re celebrating my birthday at Sunday dinner, remember?”

“We were just checking on you because we know you work so hard, Easton. Did you call your sister today?”

I remembered he was a twin and wondered what it was like to not only have a big family, but someone you shared a birthday with.

Someone you shared a womb with.

I’d always longed for a family like that.

I’d spent a lot of time alone growing up, and I’d always wanted siblings.

And then I’d met Lulu and learned what it meant to have a sister.

“I didn’t get a chance because she called the minute I woke up. She and Nash and Cutler sang to me.”

“She told me you sent her that new KitchenAid they just came out with,” his mother said, and you could hear the pride in her voice.

“Well, she loves to bake.” He cleared his throat. “Hey, Mom, Dad, I appreciate the call, even if it’s the third time I’ve talked to you today.” He chuckled.

“You’re such a smartass. I feel like there is a but in there… Is this you rushing me off the phone?” his mother asked, and his father just laughed and then said he had to go check the steaks on the grill. “Because I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay today?”

Was he that bothered by his birthday?

“Mom. There’s someone in the car, so can I call you later?” His voice was deep and gruff.

“Ohhhh. Someone is in the car,” she said, her voice completely changing into this curious, mischievous tone. “I thought you were working, and that’s why we couldn’t have dinner tonight.”

“I was in court today, and I am working. We’re driving back from the city. Henley’s in the car,” he said. “Charles’s daughter.”

“I know who Henley is, Easton. Clark told me she was quite the impressive pickleball player.”

I laughed. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick. It’s lovely to meet you.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea.” She paused, and Easton started to speak just as she gasped and interrupted. “Wait. Why don’t you join us for Sunday dinner?”

“Mom.”

“Easton,” she said in a deep voice, clearly trying to mimic her son, and I chuckled.

“It’s inappropriate. You’re putting her on the spot. Not everyone wants to go to Sunday dinner.” He exited the freeway.

“You dragged her to pickleball. This is dinner. And we’re having cake,” she said. “How about you let her answer?”

He glanced over at me, and I didn’t miss the way the corners of his lips turned up.

“Thank you for the invite. I’d love to come. I don’t really know anyone here outside of the office, so it sounds like fun. And it’s the big guy’s birthday, right?” I said over my laughter as his mother joined in.

“Oh, that’s so wonderful. I can’t wait to meet you in person, Henley.”

“Don’t forget whose birthday it is.” Easton feigned irritation.

“Never. Love you, my boy. I can’t wait to see you both on Sunday.”

“Love you. I’ll call you later.” He ended the call.

“You guys are close, huh?”

“Yeah. There’s a lot of us, and my mom lives for birthdays and holidays and Sunday dinners,” he said.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me it was your birthday.”

“Listen. I care more about it being Emerson’s birthday than mine. I did exactly what I wanted to do today. And I got to call Richard a dick multiple times. That’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

I laughed as he pulled down my driveway. Why was I bummed that we were already home? It had been a long day.

My father had acted like a jackass by bringing up that damn tennis tournament, and normally, it would weigh heavily on me, but having Easton call him out—it meant something to me.

I’d stood up to him many times, but today, I just hadn’t had the energy.

But I hated that he’d brought it up in front of Easton.

My mentor.

A man I respected.

A man I was ridiculously attracted to.

“It was a good day,” I said, as I unbuckled my seat belt when he put the car in park.

“Yeah? You liked being in court?”

“I’m going to say something to you, and if you use it against me, I’ll deny it,” I said over my laughter.

“Oh, boy. That bad, huh?” His tongue swiped out along his bottom lip. “Let’s hear it.”

“Seeing you in court today,” I said, glancing out the window before looking back at him. “It was inspiring. It was—magic. It made me realize that I want to be the kind of attorney that makes a difference in people’s lives, just like you did today.”

His eyes searched mine before the corners of his lips turned up in a full-blown smile. My stomach fluttered in response.

“You’re in awe of me,” he said, his tone completely dry before he chuckled.

“I am not!” My head fell back in hysterical laughter. “I knew you’d make it a big deal.”

“Admit it, Princess. You think I’m sexy when I’m in the courtroom.”

I shook my head, feeling my cheeks heat. “Please. You’re fine, but sexy is a bit much.”

“You sure about that?”

Why aren’t I getting out of the car?

“I’m sure, boss.”

“I’m not your boss. I’m your coworker, right?” he teased.

I sighed. I couldn’t get out of the car because I didn’t want this to end.

“I suppose that’s true.” My teeth sank into my bottom lip. “So, what are you going to do for the rest of your birthday? Are you going out? You can’t be home alone on your birthday.”

“No?” He smiled, and I swear my heart raced so fast I could hear it in my ears. Nothing had happened, but he was flirting with me, and I liked it. “What do you think I should do?”

“I don’t know. You could go to Booze and Brews and blow off some steam ,” I said, but for whatever reason my words were breathy now. “Isn’t that your thing?”

“Usually. But it’s not what I feel like doing tonight.”

“What do you feel like doing?” I asked.

He tilted his head to the side and moved closer. “What are you going to do the rest of the night?”

“I’ll probably make some pasta and take a dip in the pool.” My chest was rising and falling rapidly, and I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t stop it.

“I like pasta, and I’m all about taking a night swim. I’d join you, but I don’t have my swim trunks.”

Oh. My. God.

What were we even doing?

“You could swim in your underwear. It is your birthday, after all,” I said, with a forced chuckle.

Because thoughts of Easton in just his briefs in the pool with me… there wouldn’t be anything funny about it.

“I could do that.” He smiled. “But it would be rude to make the birthday boy do that alone.”

“Is this your birthday wish, Chadwick? To eat pasta and swim in your underpants with your coworker? Do you think it’s a good idea to do that?”

“Most of the best things in life are not good ideas, Princess,” he said. “But I think any chance to swim in a pool with you is never a bad idea.”

“I mean, this doesn’t even have to be weird. We’re two professionals who had a long day and are celebrating your birthday.”

“Exactly. We’re grown-ups. It’s almost dark, so we’ll barely see anything.”

“Let’s set some ground rules,” I said.

“I hate ground rules. But tell me what they are.”

“No touching.” I raised a brow.

“Well, that’s a buzz kill, but okay. What else?”

“We don’t talk about it at the office. I don’t need people to think I’m messing around with Easton Chadwick. Everyone there is kind of afraid of you. I have a reputation to protect,” I said over my laughter.

“You make a good point. You’ll be a fabulous attorney when you get into the courtroom, Ms. Holloway. And I wouldn’t want to tarnish your reputation by anyone thinking we’re friends. I agree to your terms.”

“Should we start with the pasta?” I asked.

“Fuck the pasta. I say we start with the night swim and work up an appetite.”

I chuckled. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’ve been called worse.” He reached forward and tucked the hair behind my ear. “Relax. We’re just going swimming. We’re not running naked through town.”

“Good point,” I said.

“Just think about how sexy I was in that courtroom, and now you get me in my briefs in the water.”

“I’ll barely notice. And this is a professional swim, right?” My voice was all tease. “It’s the least I can do, seeing as it’s your birthday.”

“My birthday just got a hell of a lot better.” He pushed the door open and came around the car just as I started to step out.

“Happy Birthday, Chadwick.”

“It’s about to be.” He winked, and I laughed as we walked toward the water.

We were really doing this.