Page 83 of When We Were More
“Sorry about that.”
“Henry, please. Don’t be sorry. Would you please look at me?”
When he does, his eyes are flat, and I hate it. Henry’s eyes are always full of light and energy. Not now, though.
“How have you been?” I ask.
He casts his gaze downward and shakes his head.
“Could we make some time to talk?” I try again.
He lifts his head and frowns. “Sure, Matilda. Whenever works for you.”
“Dad!” Layla calls from the foyer.
“I gotta go. Bye.” It’s abrupt, and he walks toward the foyer. I want to stop him, but that’s not fair of me.
“I’ll see you tonight.” My words make him halt, though that’s not my intent.
“You’re still coming?” He turns and studies me. His shoulders tense up.
“Of course. It’s the one-year anniversary of Aron Family Builders & Restoration moving to town.” Then it strikes me. “D-do you not want me to come?”
He hesitates.
What does that mean?
“You were invited. You should come, if you want.”
Then he’s gone.
CHAPTER 31
Henry
It’s finally here, the one-year celebration of our relocation to Aron Falls, and the start of the luxury log homes branch of the business. I’m a bundle of nerves. Seeing Matilda earlier has thrown me off kilter. Particularly because we haven’t talked. Not really. We’ve had a few short text conversations, but that’s it. Hell, I’m not sure she’ll even show up tonight after my dismissiveness earlier.
“What’s wrong with you, brother? You look like someone stole your favorite toy,” Holden teases. He claps me on the shoulder as he and Harrison join me off to the side of the ballroom, where I watch our guests duringcocktail hour.
“Place looks great, everyone seems happy. Well, everyone except you.” Harrison sidles up right next to me.
My brothers and I host one big party together every year—what we celebrate varies.It’s the only time I ever feel no guilt about spending like the multi-millionaires we are. We rent out the largest and most elegant party center in town, the one that overlooks the majestic waterfall just inside Aron Falls when you cross over from Meadow Creek. We invite our employees andtheir families. Many of our past clients come as well. Of course, our family and friends are welcome, too.
“Yeah, no. I’m fine.” I don’t mean my tone to be dismissive, but it is. I’m busy. Every time someone walks through the door, I’m checking to see if it’s her—Matilda.
I was an asshole earlier when she asked if I didn’t want her here tonight. I should have been honest and told her I absolutely wanted her to come. That I reserved the seat next to me for her. Iknowshe ended things because she’s afraid of what we’re both feeling. She won’t admit it, though, and she wouldn’t talk about it. So, when I told her to come if she wanted, it came from a place of frustration.
“Hey, guys, listen.” Holden’s voice sounds serious, and it gets my attention. When Harrison and I are both focused on him, he gestures to the bar area. I glance over, and Hayden is sitting there, at a high-top table, drinking… alone.
“He’s in a bad place with Charlie leaving. I’ve never seen him this fucked up emotionally before. Even… even when Dad died. I need you both to help me keep an eye on him, check in, texts, calls, whatever you can do without being too obvious.”
“Of course,” Harrison answers.
“Yeah, man. Hell, he seems a mess even from here.” I can’t take my eyes off my brother, and worry for him settles deep in my gut. As if I needed more convincing that love can fuck you up big time. Yet I went ahead and fell anyway.
“Holy shit.” Holden’s tone pulls my attention away from Hayden, and I follow his and Harrison’s gazes to the room entrance. “Damn, she’s hot.”
I push Holden in the shoulder without taking my eyes off Matilda. She’s nothing short of stunning. While many of the women here are dressed in relatively short and revealing cocktail dresses, Matilda is in a silky, burgundy dress that falls between her ankle and knee. I think they call it a wrap dress. The way ithighlights her curves, and that slit that goes to mid-thigh, nearly knocks me to my knees.
