Page 3 of Promise Kept

“Ellis.”

I look up, forgetting about the past and stare at the present.

Henri’s walking toward me, arms open.

We’re both the same height and build.

Tall and tone, the only way to make a suit look extra good.

As I hug Henri I see his wife - Calista - standing a few feet away.

Looking stunning in a black dress.

Deep-cut cleavage.

A perfect distraction from the fact that we’re all at a fucking funeral.

Reaching my age is a weird thing.

Past that midlife crisis bullshit, but hoping you’re far away from it.

Yet you’re right in the midst of it.

Things can start falling apart right away.

Or you can just drop dead of a heart attack.

Like Heston did.

Even though his heart attack was caused by an insane amount of drugs in his system.

“Another one of these,” Henri says to me.

“Makes me feel too young and too old at the same time,” I say.

Henri breaks the hug. “I said the same thing to Calista.”

I glance at Calista again.

She’s always had a sadness to her.

I could never be sure if she means it on purpose or not.

Maybe that’s her thing. That’s her style.

The beautiful, sad look.

Henri gently slaps my face. “Are you eye fucking my wife?”

“Of course I am,” I say. “I need something to keep my mind off the fact that my best friend is in a fucking box.”

And I need to keep my eyes off my best friend’s daughter.

Why am I even thinking this right now?

“Stare all you want then,” Henri’s says. “Just don’t think about touching. She’ll sense it. You know what I mean?”

Henri winks.

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