Page 33 of Release You

“Breakfast sounds like a good idea.” I jumped to my feet.

With a low groan, Henry fell back on the pillow. “I’ll see you downstairs in forty-five minutes.” When I didn’t move,he threw a leg over the side of the bed and stood. “Hurry. I’m starving.”

I rushed to the shower and ran the water. Wait. Had he just tricked me into going on a date with him? No, this was just breakfast. This was the very reason why I never got involved with anyone. This constant worry of whether a guy loved me, or felt the way I did, or if we were on a date or not. Henry wanted me as much as I wanted him, but for how long? I stood under the cool spray and let it diffuse whatever ideas my body had gotten about him.

When I finished cleaning up, I got dressed in a simple Sunday dress. This wasn’t a date, but I took the time to blow-dry my hair, apply makeup, and even throw on some diamond earrings for good measure. With the bubbles in my chest threatening to bust out, I headed downstairs, where Henry waited patiently for me, sitting on the only piece of furniture we had in the place.We? I rolled my eyes. We were not a “we.”

His mouth fell open a little when he saw me. I smiled. “I see you,” he’d said to me the first day I came back to Paradise Creek. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had seen through Nikki Swift, seen the real me. No cons, no tricks. Just me.

“You’re nervous.” He grinned. “Why?”

“No. Just hungry.” I met his gaze, and he offered me his arm.

This felt so much like a date.

We crossed the threshold, and I froze when I saw the newly paved street. “How long was I asleep?”

He chuckled. “You’ve been cooped up in your room for two weeks. My guys and I have been working day and night to get the old downtown ready for Founders’ Day. What do you think?”

“It looks great.” I smiled. The big hole in front of the hotelhad been repaired days ago, but I hadn’t noticed how they had also cleaned and restored the entire street. Some stores were even open for business. “So you’re like a real architect, huh?”

“Something like that.” He laughed, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

We strolled down the street, past a couple of antique shops, a bakery, and a general store. The old downtown was back in full swing. Just as it’d been before my parents were killed, when we were part of this community.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Mrs. Blaine is open for business. She makes the best griddle pancakes.” He held me as if we were boyfriend and girlfriend.

Mr. Paredes waved at him. “Henry. Good morning. I see you worked things out.” He pointed at Henry’s hand on my waist, beaming. I pulled away, but Henry tightened his hold on me.

“We’re getting there.” He winked at me.

“Good morning” was all I could say as Mr. Paredes waved goodbye. What was wrong with me? Where was Nikki Swift? My gaze darted from one smiling face to the next. Everyone loved Henry. They were all glad he was back. They had no clue the Morrow girl was back too.

A couple of blocks down, we reached Mrs. Blaine’s diner. The smell of pancake batter and coffee wafted out the door and down the street. The place was exactly how I remembered it, with wooden floors and a copper-tiled ceiling. As soon as she spotted us, she waddled over to us. Mrs. Blaine was in her late fifties, the town’s gossip, and a huge Cavalier family fan.

“Henry. What a pleasant surprise.” She wiped her hands on her apron and hugged him. She turned to me, eyebrows up while she looked from me to Henry. Back and forth until her curiosity won over. “And who is your lovely friend?”

“Oh.” Henry faced me, brows furrowed. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t realized he was the only one who remembered me, who could see me. “This is?—”

“Nikki Swift.” I offered her my hand. I was Nikki Swift now. I could handle Mrs. Blaine. “Nice to meet you. I’m Henry’s friend from school.”

Her smile morphed into a grin so big I could see her molars. She placed her hand over her chest. Her eyes darted around the restaurant, taking inventory of who was around to witness our visit to her place. “Ah. From Canada. What an honor.” She shook my hand. “Here. Why don’t you grab this table by the window? You’ll have a great view of our town.” She gestured for us to sit at a wooden booth. We were on display, like trinkets in an antique shop.

When she left, Henry turned those soft and caring brown eyes on me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think?—”

“Don’t worry about it. I can handle her. Let’s order.” I sat and opened the menu, which hadn’t changed since the last time I was here, and Mrs. Blaine had refused to serve me.

In fifteen minutes flat, our server brought our breakfast and coffee. The two tables next to us had barely gotten their waters and menus, even though they’d been waiting when we walked in. Henry may not have the Cavalier fortune anymore, but he was still one of them. If I hadn’t been good enough for him then, what made me think things could be different now?

“A penny for your thoughts?” He squeezed my hand again.

I gave him my Nikki Swift smile. I needed Nikki right now more than ever. “I thought you could read me.”

“I’d rather hear it from you. I’m such an asshole. All I wanted was to get you out of your room. This was a poor choice. I’m sorry.” He kissed my hand. Mrs. Blaine practically squealed behind the counter.

“She seems to like Nikki from Canada.” I raised an eyebrow.

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