by M. C. Vann
“I can’t believe you just made me do that,” Henry said with a laugh.
“Why? It was fun, wasn’t it?” He nodded, and I smiled like an encouraged child. I grabbed my small Canon camera out of my bag. “Let’s take a picture.”
Henry humored me with a smile.
As I held out the camera in front of us, I felt his right arm snaking over my shoulders and his face tilting toward mine. I looked at the image we just took. Man, he was way out of my league. Even with the flash, he somehow still managed to look as handsome as ever.
“Remember to give me a copy of that picture,” Henry said.
“Okay,” I agreed, placing the camera back in my bag. “It’s getting late. We should get going.”
Although I never wanted the night to end, I knew it had to end sometime. We arrived at my apartment quicker than I thought.
“Thank you for today, Henry. I had a very nice time. I guess …” I paused, not knowing how else to put it. “I’ll see you later then.” The sentence came out more like a question rather than a statement. Henry nodded once, and I acknowledged it as my cue to exit.
But after I took off my seatbelt, his fingers softly wound around my wrist.
“Wait,” he muttered. “Are you doing anything tomorrow?”
Henry was asking me if I have anything to do for the weekend? I was about to answer him but suddenly remembered … Why did I promise Eve this weekend?
His grasp loosened on my wrist. “If you’re busy, it’s okay. I understand.”
“Well… I sort of promised my sister that I would take her kids to their soccer tournament tomorrow.”
“Do you mind if I come to? I could drive you all,” he offered, slightly surprising me.
“That’s very nice of you, but I don’t know. It’s going to be hot and tiring.”
The chuckles escaped from his lips. “You don’t think I can handle that?”
“Of course, I think you can handle it.” The lightheartedness of his tone was somewhat comforting. I really liked this side of him. “Alright, if you want to come, you can. I don’t remember all the details, so I’ll text you more information when I get upstairs.”
And with that, I bade Henry a good night and watched as his car disappeared around the corner.
It was good that Adam and Lily were out partying for the night as usual. If they were home, they would be interrogating me like the paparazzi before I could even take a step inside, hammering me with endless questions left and right.
As I stepped out of the shower, the thought of Henry coming with us tomorrow just hit me. After sending him a text message of the time and place, I rummaged through my closet for any piece of nice clothing to wear tomorrow.
Usually, I wouldn’t care about my appearance. Only now was I fretting about my clothing choices in my closet. All those times shopping with Lily, I hated her persistence on making me try clothes when I didn’t want to, but now I was slowly regretting not listening to her.
CHAPTER FIVE
Henry picked me up the next morning, and we headed over to Eve’s house. Eason and Alexis were standing in the hallway with their soccer bags over their small shoulders as my brother-in-law, Rick, opened the door for us.
“Auntie!” They ran up to me and threw their arms over my shoulders as I bent down to their levels.
“Hey, you two,” I said, squeezing them tightly. God, I missed them. Though they weren’t biologically mine, I loved them as if they were my own.
Alexis bashfully peered at the tall stranger who had just shaken hands with their dad. “Who is this man, Ally?”
“This is Henry, my friend. Say ‘hi’ to him.”
They both said “hello” in the most bashful way. Henry wore a kind smile, his entire expression precious.
“Henry, this is Alexis and Eason, my niece and nephew,” I said.
“Hello, Eason and Alexis,” Henry said, smiling at them.
My sister walked into the room, and her kids flocked right to her side.
“You guys all ready. Extra shoes, socks, shin guards?” she asked them enthusiastically. Alexis and Eason nodded fervently with proud smiles. Eve wiggled her perfectly waxed eyebrows after noticing Henry. “Hey, Ally. Who is this?”
“This is my friend, Henry. Henry, this is Eve, my sister.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Henry said as he shook my sister’s hand.
“Ally didn’t tell us she had a friend named Henry,” Eve joked. Even though I was right in the room, I wasn’t surprised she referred to me in the third person.
“The right time never came up,” I said.
“Anyways, thank you so much for taking them today.” My sister changed the subject, recognizing my slight sharp tone. “I packed their lunches in the cooler with extra drinks when they have breaks.”
“Okay, great!” I moved to grab the handle of the cooler, but Henry’s hand got there first.
“I can get it,” he sweetly offered.
“Thank you.” I nodded with a smile, nervously stroking my stray hair behind an ear.
I was more than relieved when we were on the road ten minutes later. Lily and Adam weren’t the only ones interested in my personal life.
When we arrived at the soccer park in Edgewater, there were people already there watching their kids play. While we walked around the soccer fields in search for Eason’s team, the Titans, an elderly couple, walking in the opposite direction, stared at us with late grins on their faces.
“Your two children are so adorable,” the elderly lady said to Henry and me.
Your two children? They mean ... Henry and me?
We gave each other bewildered glances, and soon I broke into giggles. Henry’s expression grew less confused as he noticed my laughing.
“Thank you, but you misunderstand, ma’am. This is my niece and my nephew, and he’s only a friend,” I said to the elderly couple with a genuine smile.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, honey, but you two look so much like a couple.”
The word “couple” left me a little surprised. Henry and I ... a couple? The thought somewhat scared and aroused me.
“Don’t you let go of this woman, young man,” the elderly man advised Henry who obliged with a nod.
After the couple had trotted away, Henry and I smiled at each other. Eason and Alexis were too busy looking around to notice us.
We finally located the Titan’s purple tent a few feet ahead.
“Eason, go practice with your team,” I told him, setting up my camp chair. I watched as he ran to the other little Titans. Alexis had already finished setting up her chair and was reading a book. She was always quite the bookworm.
“They’re so adorable running around with their little feet,” I said to Henry after he placed his chair beside mine. “I can remember when I was that age. Times were much simpler then. Wasn’t it, Henry?”
“Yes, they were.”
“Did you play soccer or any sports when you were younger?” I asked as Eason scored a goal in practice.
Henry laughed a little as if remembering something from a distant memory. “Yes, I played soccer for a while, but I wasn’t as good as I thought.”
“Me neither. I was always the last one picked when it came to sports. Maybe because no one wanted to be stuck with me on their team.” We both chuckled.
“Did you want to kick a few goals?” Henry asked me.
“Oh ... I’m not so sure.” I had always been doubtful of my skills, and I had a good reason to be.
Alexis placed her book down. “Can we, Henry? Is it okay, Ally?”
“Uh, sure. If it’s alright with Henry, that is,” I said, glancing from her to him. Was she listening this whole time?
“Of course, Alexis. Anything you’d like. Let’s go to that empty net over there,” Henry said, noticing an unused goal net not far from where we sat. Alexis’ face lit up as she tied on her soccer cleats.
Henry grabbed a spare
ball from the tent and they walked to their destination. He looked even taller with an eight-year-old kid by his side and honestly, he would look good for a father.
I was surprised that Alexis wanted to play before her game since the little girl wasn’t into sports. Her thing was books and Eason’s thing was sports. But since Eve and Rick really wanted Alexis to play soccer, she didn’t show any protest being the polite young lady she was.
I watched them from far away, cringing every time Alexis missed a goal. That happened a few times before she finally got one in and I almost jumped for joy, but quickly realized how odd I’d look.
“Alexis, look who’s here,” Henry jokingly teased as he noticed me walking closer. I rolled my eyes playfully in return and crossed my arms over my chest.
Alexis’ eyes brighten up with hope. “Auntie, you want to play with us?”
“Yes, I was getting bored sitting alone and besides, I couldn’t let you have all the fun and beat Henry on your own,” I taunted, proud of my comeback.
Henry volunteered to be our goalie. Alexis was up. At first, she hesitated, but Henry said something that seemed to encourage her. “Come on, Alexis. You can do it! Just remember. You’re the one in control.”
She kicked the soccer ball as hard as she could with her tiny legs. I could tell Henry wasn’t giving his all because he barely attempted to block the ball. He really was too sweet with my niece. I gave Alexis a high-five.
Now it was my turn. When was the last time I ever kicked a ball, I wondered? With my clumsy and uncoordinated body, I kicked the ball as best as I could. It flew to the left side of the net, and for a split second, it appeared to be going in, but Henry managed to block it with his hands.
Wasn’t as good? What a lie. He was probably the star of the team.
A victorious grin materialized on Henry’s face. “Better luck next time, Ally!”
“Nice save, Henry!” Alexis applauded and I whipped around, frowning at her.
“Hey, we’re supposed to be a team. He’s the bad guy,” I playfully reminded her and she apologized, giggles still escaping her lips. Henry and Alexis continued to laugh and I couldn’t help but join in also. I really liked this playful side of Henry because he didn’t seem the type who smiled or let loose very often.
We kicked goals for a few minutes before Eason’s game finally started. Henry somehow always managed to catch or block my attempts while he allowed Alexis’ in easily. I wasn’t jealous, but actually content by his actions. Alexis ended with a confidence boost, and Henry instilled such.
“Thank you,” I said to Henry as Alexis skipped off to the rest of her team. They were doing their regular stretch routine.
“For what?”
“Alexis. For giving her confidence. She looks like a completely different person.”
“I didn’t give it to her,” he said, surprising and puzzling me. “She always had it. She just needed to find it in herself.”
His words were deep and wise — I was almost left in awe. He never failed to amaze me one way or another.
The rest of the day went by in a flash. Henry got along with both children so well that by the end of the day they chatted and laughed about things I didn’t even understand. Eason and Alexis grew comfortable around him which I was thankful for. It was a natural charm he had on people.
Maybe he wasn’t strange after all.
Before I knew it, Henry was already dropping me off at the apartment after we took the children home.
I played with my bracelet nervously. “Thank you again for today. I hope it wasn’t too boring for you.”
“No, not at all. I had a wonderful time,” Henry replied with a genuine smile. “It was beyond my expectations. Eason and Alexis are very bright kids.”
“Aren’t they? Well, I’m glad you had a wonderful time,” I said, unbuckling my seatbelt. “I should go now. Bye, Henry.” I climbed out of the car and shut the door behind me, hoping Henry would say something. But he didn’t. As I walked away from the car, I heard him call my name.
“Ally.”
“Yes?” I said, turning around quickly and almost tripping over my own feet. He seemed to be debating something in his mind when he finally looked at me straight in the eyes.
“Good night.”
I concealed the discontent behind my smile. “Good night, Henry.”
He waved goodbye and I mimicked the motion. As he drove away, my heart was completely conflicted. It was racing, yet it was disappointed at the same time.
Was I hoping for too much?
—————
The next few days passed by and I found myself checking my phone every once in a while, and though I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, I knew I was waiting for a call or text from him. This was silly because Henry didn’t mention that he would be in contact.
It wasn’t until midnight Tuesday when my phone finally rang. I excused myself from the living room where I was watching Rogue One with Lily and Adam. They exchanged odd glances but shrugged it off.
I composed myself as I sat on my bed. “Hello?”
“Hi, Ally. How are you?” His serene voice was void of any tension.
“I’m good. You?”
“Likewise. I’ve been thinking. I have this banquet tomorrow night. I would like you to be my date, but if you’re not available, I understand.”
A banquet? He wants me to be his date?! The offer completely caught me off guard. “Umm, no—”
“No?”
“No! I mean, I’m not busy. I would love to.” I flushed with embarrassment. I was glad Henry couldn’t see how red my cheeks must be turning right now.
“Excellent. Thank you,” he said, and I shook my head.
“For what?”
“For being my date.”
The gentleman in Henry was way beyond my predictions. I knew he was polite, but his generosity and his gratitude could be overwhelming.
The image of me standing beside Henry at a banquet stirred butterflies in my stomach. How could I ever stand next to someone so good looking as him? Maybe an outstanding dress would help me a little, but that means I’d have to go shopping.
“Don’t go shopping for any dresses,” he added, reading my thoughts.
“Why not?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. I could just picture the amused grin on his face. “I’ll have my driver pick you up at four.”
“Okay, I’ll be waiting.”
As I bade goodbye to Henry and hung up, I couldn’t wait until tomorrow night.
But why would he forbid me to go shopping? Was he going to play some kind of prank on me? No, I shook my head. Henry wouldn’t do that to me. He had been nothing, but nice and generous to me.
I trusted him.
At work and at home the next day, I couldn’t help but think about Henry and the banquet. Although I was excited about being his date, I had to admit I was also nervous at the same time.
“I still don’t understand why he doesn’t want you to go shopping,” Lily said to me as she did my makeup. “I mean, look at your closet. You don’t have anything nice to wear. Can I lend you one of my dresses?”
“Thanks, Peaches, but I’ll just wear the one I’m wearing right now.” I hoped my smile would be enough to convince her. I wasn’t confident with this pink dress, but it was the best one I owned.
She started filling my eyebrows with a dark brown brow pencil. “If you say so.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine tonight. Trust me.”
“Alright, I trust you.”
“Ally, you look absolutely beautiful!” Adam’s voice sang from the door. “My girl’s all grown up!” Adam walked over to give me a hug.
“Thanks, Adam,” I said, embracing my best friend.
“Your driver’s here. He’s waiting downstairs for you,” he said.
I nodded and looked toward Lily whose eyes were now brimming with tears. I pouted my bottom lips. “Why are you c
rying?”
“I’m just ... I’m just so proud.” She flushed and I giggled at her as I threw my arms over her. “Okay, okay. That’s enough. You go knock them dead.”
As I walked toward the BMW in front, I noticed the driver picked me up at exactly the time Henry had mentioned. He drove down an unfamiliar road and when we stopped, we were in front of a beauty salon shop I never heard of before.
“Where are we exactly?” I asked Henry’s personal driver as he opened the back door open for me.
“Mr. Pearce instructed me to bring you here. It’s one of the best beauty salons in the nation, Miss Summers.”
In the nation? Wow. I wouldn’t expect any less from Mr. Pearce. Now I understood why Henry forbade me to go shopping. He had this planned all along. How did I not see this coming?
“Good afternoon. Ally, right?” a young blonde woman graciously asked as I walked through the door. She had on a very nice, black elegant dress with nude heels and her hair wrapped up in a perfectly tight bun.
I smiled. “Yes.”
“My name is Cynthia.”
“Nice to meet you, Cynthia,” I said. I didn’t understand why she was being extremely smiley.
“I’m so happy you’re finally here. If you’re ready, please follow me.”
Cynthia led me up the spiral stairs through another set of doors in the shop’s lobby, and my eyes gaped at the scene of countless dresses hanging before me. The dresses were assorted by size, color, styles, occasions, and brands. They were all beautiful and probably worth more than my name. I didn’t remember how many dresses Cynthia made me try on before we finally found the one. She informed me it was a princess-style dress and I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I could definitely picture a princess wearing it. The gray dress had a lace shoulder wrap and was fitted at the waist, flowing down to my knees.
Then Cynthia led me to the salon area to get my hair and makeup done. Although I preferred Lily’s natural makeup, it didn’t hurt to add more glam to my eyes and lips. The extremely enthusiastic blonde raved about my beauty, and I hesitantly smiled back. I wasn’t used to being so dolled up or complimented on my beauty.