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“She sure is beautiful, isn’t she?” Harvey looks up at me, then smiles at Mrs. Beckon.
Whatishis deal? Why is he doing this?
We talk about the weather, the couple expertly avoiding any topic of Harvey’s improvement, before I excuse myself to the restroom.
When I’m done and washing my hands, Gia comes in with Athena in her arms and a beer in her hand.
“Drink up, buttercup.” She hands the bottle to me. I take the cold beer and place it on the countertop. “Gemma, what’s going on?”
I shrug. “Nothing. I’m driving, can’t drink.” I know that’s not what she’s asking, but I don’t have it in me to confide in her about this.
Her lip twitches, a tic she does whenever she disagrees but chooses to bite her tongue.
I open the restroom door to allow her to leave first. In the hallway, I find Harv waiting for me, so I wave my sister to go back to the main room.
If he’s going to be nice and notice I’m alive, I should enjoy it.
He looks like he’s about to say something, but his parents appear. His father, Ian, greets him, then kisses my cheeks. His mother, Helen, does the same.
“Henrik is here too,” she says quietly. I love his mom. We both speak a language most people don’t understand.
That less is more.
That words are so powerful—only meaningful ones should be used.
“Oh Harv, Harv. Miss me?” Henrik punches his brother in the arm. “My, my Gemma... every day I wish I’d met you first.”
I laugh at Hen’s useless attempt to flirt, and Ian jokingly warns his boys not to fight over a woman, no matter how beautiful she might be. He winks, and he and Helen leave us to go mingle.
“Gem, seriously, you look amazing, pretty lady.” Henrik says, winking at his brother.
I stare at my boyfriend, hoping to get the smallest reaction out of him.
Does he love me enough to be a bit jealous?
Harvey’s eyes dart over to me. Meanwhile, Henrik curses when he sees a girl and tells us it’s time to go before he’s a dead man. Harv gives him a stern look, but we don’t bother asking as we watch him stride away.
Hen—always up to no good with the ladies. I smile.
When we join the party in the main room, I watch Harvey use his charm to lure people in. He was always a flirt, good with crowds. It leaves a bitter sadness inside of me, wishing I could bring back this side of him permanently.
I take my phone from my purse; my heart beats a little faster knowing his charming side is on borrowed time.
My core constricts at the thought that soon the light from his eyes will go out.
At eleven thirty, we say goodbye to our respective families,and Gia heads out at the same time with a sleeping Athena in James’s arms.
As soon as we’re seated in the van, the silence engulfs us.
Silly me for believing in more. For hoping. For planning our future.
I don’t know how much more I can handle. These disappointments are piling up, and they make me wonder if I’ll ever be enough for him.
When we arrive in our driveway, I dare to ask him. “What was that all about?”
I like being in the car with him. It’s the one place where I don’t have to look down at him. I hope picking on him here will build his confidence and that he’ll open up.
His hand is tracing his chin. Still, he refuses to answer me.
