Chapter 23

Twenty-Three

LUCY

It’s been two weeks since Henry picked me up at the airport and made a romantic dinner for us.

Two weeks since he told me he got the director role for the upcoming Pride and Prejudice rendition.

Two weeks since he gifted me the first edition of Pride and Prejudice .

Two weeks since we hugged…more than once. A memory that constantly repeats in my mind.

And two weeks since it felt like we were a real couple while we planned the next steps of our fake relationship.

Joining pre-production has kept Henry busy every day since. He’s even missed two of our Tuesday nights at the coffee shop. I’m always sure to sit at the end of the table, with an empty seat next to mine, just in case he shows up.

With my classes coming to an end for the semester, I find myself with extra time on my hands. Time I don’t want to spend thinking about the way Henry made me feel that night. How my heart swelled when I spotted him at the airport or the butterflies that fluttered when he said he found his Miss Bennett.

No, I must not spend another evening curled up in bed admiring my new books while thinking of how sexy he looked in my small kitchen or the way the muscles in his back moved as he prepared our dinner, and I certainly don’t need to think about how good it felt to be in his arms, even for the brief embrace, it was enough to do more damage than I care to admit.

So, in an attempt to silence those thoughts, I volunteer to take over Henry’s social media accounts while he is busy with the movie.

Even though his busy schedule has prevented us from seeing each other, Henry calls almost every night when he gets back from work. He lets me know what he did during his day and asks my opinion on decisions he needs to make. I’ve requested he send me some discreet photos of his day to use for the account now that the production company has officially announced his role. I’ve posted them mixed in with the throwback photos of him and Max, as well as staged romantic photos.

I message him with a question, one that he doesn’t seem to expect by the way he replies.

Lucy

What size shoes do you wear?

Henry is a tall man, I’d guess 6’5”, but I don’t want to miss the chance to make him laugh at the assumption, so I leave the text without any context.

Henry

Why?

Lucy

Curious.

Henry

If you’re that curious, you could just ask me out. Rumor has it, I’m usually a sure thing.

Lucy

Don’t flatter yourself. I’m only asking because I would like to buy us a matching pair of couples slippers. With us being unable to take photos together, I need props to create the illusion.

English Pervert

Henry

12.

Have fun fantasizing about my big

Two minutes pass before he finishes his sentence.

Henry

feet

I don’t bother responding, he has work to do. I order our slippers online—sure to adjust my slippers from a US to a UK size. They should arrive in the next day or two.

Until then, I will have to think of something to post today. Looking around my apartment, I fret I’ve exhausted all possibilities. I’ll need to start taking myself out on dates just for more content material. Maybe a call to Ellie would help, to be able to pick her social media director brain. Although she’s never needed to post romantic photos, she’s a genius and surely she will have some ideas. I’m also running low on throwback pictures so I’ll need to run over to the boys’ apartment to check if they have any there.

Lucy

Hey, mind if I stop over this afternoon to grab some old photos of your dad and Max for the accounts?

Finn

If you’re coming over now, we can order lunch.

Lucy

Grabbing my shoes now. I’ll pick it up. What would you like?

Finn

Sandwiches from the deli would be perfect. I’ll call over with my order now. Do you want the usual?

Lucy

Yes, please! See you soon!

As I ring the bell to the townhouse I feel a rush of hope that maybe Henry is home for lunch. The bag from the deli is heavier than I expected.

Oliver greets me at the door and offers to carry the sandwiches in for me. These English gentlemen and their manners, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

“Thanks for grabbing this, Lucy,” he says as Finn goes through the bag, checking each box if it’s his .

“Thank you for paying—you didn’t have to do that.”

Finn hands me the box with my club sandwich, “Anytime,” he says before making his way to the table.

Just as we are finishing our lunch, Oliver clears his throat and turns to me. “Dad mentioned you’ll be staying with us at his house for the New Year.”

“Yes, I can’t wait to experience more of England.”

Finn chimes in, “His place is beautiful. I think you’ll love it.”

Oliver smiles and agrees, “I’m glad you’ll be there. I have a secret to share with you.”

“What is it?” I ask.

Oliver smiles shyly, “I’m going to propose to Hannah while we are all there.”

“Oliver! Congratulations, I’m so happy for you!”

Oliver beams, “Thank you. I’m sure I don’t have to explain, but this will be a surprise for Hannah. She has no idea. I may need your help distracting her in the coming days while I make preparations.”

“Mia knows too. She’s already planning all the distractions for you both,” Finn says while wrapping up the empty takeaway boxes.

“Perfect! And thank you for including me.”

“Of course, you’re part of the family now,” Oliver says.

“Speaking of family, I’ll take you up to the photo albums, Lucy.” Finn leads me upstairs to a spare room that resembles an office. I wonder if this is set up for Henry. There is a box on top of a table. “All yours, take whatever you need. I’m working remotely today, so yell if you need anything. Take your time. ”

I thank him and then get to work. There’s an album of the boys as kids, plenty of them playing with two girls who appear to be just a little younger than them with Henry and Max always standing close by. The photos must have been taken by their mothers since I don’t see any women in them. I finally come across one of just Max and Henry and take a quick picture of it using my phone.

Then, I move to the next album. Thankfully, Finn and Oliver have held on to this one, but I can also understand why it resides here and not at Henry’s home. I can’t imagine holding on to a wedding album after a marriage ends in divorce.

I certainly won’t post any of these photos, but curiosity gets the best of me as I turn through the pages. With each photo, Henry’s joy grows greater. He must have married in his early twenties, and his bride is absolutely stunning. I don’t know much about her, but on looks alone, I assume she worked as a model, which I know is his type.

I wonder what ended their marriage—he never speaks about it. Could it be the reason he is so against love? These photos are evidence that, at one time, he was blissfully in love with his new bride. Could he still be in love with her? Maybe he doesn’t believe he could find love with anyone but his wife.

She’s his ex-wife.

A burning sensation starts to grow in my chest. I allow myself only a moment to imagine what it would be like to have Henry Brooks in love with me. I shake my head in hopes to rattle those thoughts from my mind.

It feels as though much more time has passed since the night we met, and I’ve become so distracted since returning to London. I’ve let myself get caught up in the fantasy that I created.

Henry has never wavered in his stance of not wanting a relationship, nor has he done anything to deny the type of women he’s interested in. Sure, there’s been some flirty banter, but that’s it. We are both flirty people—it’s nothing more to him…

How much longer can I continue to flirt with him and keep my guard up?

Enough. I am not a part of Henry’s romantic life. I’m not a model like this woman. I take another long look at those photos to burn them into my memory.

I am not the woman in these photos.

I close the album and return it to the box. It feels like a cold bucket of water has been dumped on my head, but at least I can approach things with a rational mind going forward.

Monday night has arrived, and I’m out the door to meet Hannah and Mia for drinks.

“I can’t believe this is the first girls’ night since your trip back to the States with your family! I need details and not the boring stuff you told everyone at the coffee shop,” Mia demands. “Did you see your ex? Was there drama?”

“Mia!” Hannah scolds her, “Don’t push her.” Then turns to me, “We are here to talk if you’d like, but don’t feel like you have to share.”

“Yes, she does need to share. We are in loving, boring, no-drama relationships, Hannah. I need drama, something juicy.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing, Mia. I happen to love my relationship.”

Mia rolls her eyes at Hannah’s comment and I just giggle. “Yes, we know you love Oliver, and of course I love Finn, but we need excitement!”

“All right…I did see him,” I admit. Mia squeals and Hannah grimaces. I add, “A few times.”

Mia shouts, “Are you back together?”

“No, I don’t think that’s an option for us anymore.” I refuse to share the full story with them. I know they would be understanding, but I enjoy not being the girl who was cheated on during her first and only relationship. Or the girl who still allows that ex-boyfriend to hang around in her social circle.

Hannah places her hand over mine at the table. No matter how I try to spin this story, I’ll still receive their pity, but I’d rather let them think it’s just over a standard break-up than share the less-than-desirable details.

“Did he go crazy when he saw you?” Mia asks. Hannah squeezes my hand tighter.

“It’s all right,” I tell Hannah and then turn to Mia. “I’m not sure. We spoke a few times, but I kept it brief.” I take a sip of wine and speak without thinking, “He did act jealous over the photos of Henry and I… His mom showed them to him.” I laugh to myself, but the girls take it differently.

“Who would have thought those photos would benefit you too,” Hannah says.

“Quite frankly, I’m getting a little curious about what’s going on between you and Henry myself. I follow his accounts. Did you two really get matching slippers?” Mia asks.

We haven’t gone into much detail with everyone, just that Henry started the account to get the director role. I try to shrug it off. “No, the studio keeps pushing for more ‘romantic’ posts, so I thought of that idea the other day and ordered them myself.”

Mia gave me an unsure look, “And you’re coming to stay with us at Henry’s home over the holidays, correct?”

“Yes, I plan to visit my mom for Christmas, but return soon after and meet everyone there.”

Hannah, cheery with the change of subject, replies, “That’s so exciting.”

“Yes, New Year’s Eve has always been my favorite holiday. I’m looking forward to spending it with you all.”

“Wonder who you’ll kiss at midnight.” Mia raises her eyebrows up and down at me.

“Mia…” Hannah scolds her again.

“What?” Mia plays innocent. “It would make for a very romantic post.”