Page 18 of Versions Of Us

“Hello, everyone.” Victor Petersen’s voice booms across the loudspeaker, demanding the attention of the room. “I hope it’s okay with all of you if I say a few words.”

The rest of us whoop and cheer in response. This big-city surgeon may not blend in with the rest of the folk in the small town of Cliff Haven, but we’ve grown to love him all the same.

He lets out a laugh at the crowd’s response. “Liv, I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you. How proud your mother would have been too. I’ve watched you grow into a successful, beautiful, patient and caring young woman.”

I glance at Liv, and seeing her eyes fill with tears has my own eyes stinging too. I watch as EJ’s arm curls affectionately around the small of her back.

“And EJ, what can I say? I know you’ve both had to overcome great obstacles, in your lives and in your relationship. But you’ve done it together. And there isn’t another soul in this universe that I wish to be standing by my daughter’s side. Liv, I love you. EJ, welcome to the family.”

The crowd applauses as Liv lunges forward, wrapping her arms around her father’s neck. He smiles at something she says to him and then pulls her in closer.

As I swipe a stray tear from my cheek, I feel Henley’s arms enveloping me from behind.

He drops his chin to my left shoulder and whispers into my ear. “You okay?”

I shake off my insecurities and force a smile, spinning around to throw my arms around him. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” I’m acutely aware of the unrealistically chipper tone that laces my voice.

Henley tilts his head to the side, his eyes searching mine.

“Come on, Kris. You don’t have to be tough with me.”

Sometimes I hate the way he can see right through me. To anyone else, I appear to be just another girl, overwhelmed by the delivery of a father’s tearjerking speech to his daughter.

But Henley sees the damage.

How incomplete I am without the love of a father.

I’ve tried not to let it affect me. To keep this insecure version of myself tucked away underneath a hard exterior.

“It’s fine. Really.”

I turn my attention back to the rest of the room and regret it immediately. A slow song cuts through the tavern, echoing off its rafters, a slow bass beat reverberating through the floorboards.

Victor leans in to say something to EJ, who then steps away from Liv with a proud smile. Liv reaches for her Dad, her hands resting high on his shoulders as he holds her in a paternal embrace, swaying in time with the music.

It serves as a cruel reminder that I’ll never have a father-daughter dance of my own.

I need to get out of this room.

I pull away from Henley, but his hand catches my arm.

“I need air,” I tell him, unable to meet his eyes.

“I’ll come with you.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I just need a minute.”

He knows better than to follow me when I need space.

Chapter 8

HENLEY

Kristen doesn’t return until the cutting of the cake and when she does, it’s obvious she’s been crying.

At least, it is to me.

She isn’t the type to put her feelings on display. She likes to think she has the world fooled, but I see through this bubbly, cheerful facade.

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