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“Yes, I can’t wait to experience more of England.”
Finn chimes in, “His place is beautiful. I think you’ll love it.”
Oliver smiles and agrees, “I’m glad you’ll be there. I have a secret to share with you.”
“What is it?” I ask.
Oliver smiles shyly, “I’m going to propose to Hannah while we are all there.”
“Oliver! Congratulations, I’m so happy for you!”
Oliver beams, “Thank you. I’m sure I don’t have to explain, but this will be a surprise for Hannah. She has no idea. I may need your help distracting her in the coming days while I make preparations.”
“Mia knows too. She’s already planning all the distractions for you both,” Finn says while wrapping up the empty takeaway boxes.
“Perfect! And thank you for including me.”
“Of course, you’re part of the family now,” Oliver says.
“Speaking of family, I’ll take you up to the photo albums, Lucy.” Finn leads me upstairs to a spare room that resembles an office. I wonder if this is set up for Henry. There is a box on top of a table. “All yours, take whatever you need. I’m working remotely today, so yell if you need anything. Take your time.”
I thank him and then get to work. There’s an album of the boys as kids, plenty of them playing with two girls who appear to be just a little younger than them with Henry and Max always standing close by. The photos must have been taken by their mothers since I don’t see any women in them. I finally come across one of just Max and Henry and take a quick picture of it using my phone.
Then, I move to the next album. Thankfully, Finn and Oliver have held on to this one, but I can also understand why it resides here and not at Henry’s home. I can’t imagine holding on to a wedding album after a marriage ends in divorce.
I certainly won’t post any of these photos, but curiosity gets the best of me as I turn through the pages. With each photo, Henry’s joy grows greater. He must have married in his early twenties, and his bride is absolutely stunning. I don’t know much about her, but on looks alone, I assume she worked as a model, which I know is his type.
I wonder what ended their marriage—he never speaks about it. Could it be the reason he is so against love? These photos are evidence that, at one time, he was blissfully in love with his new bride. Could he still be in love with her? Maybe he doesn’t believe he could find love with anyone but his wife.
She’s his ex-wife.
A burning sensation starts to grow in my chest. I allow myself only a moment to imagine what it would be like to have Henry Brooks in love with me. I shake my head in hopes to rattle those thoughts from my mind.
It feels as though much more time has passed since the night we met, and I’ve become so distracted sincereturning to London. I’ve let myself get caught up in the fantasy that I created.
Henry has never wavered in his stance of not wanting a relationship, nor has he done anything to deny the type of women he’s interested in. Sure, there’s been some flirty banter, but that’s it. We are both flirty people—it’s nothing more to him…
How much longer can I continue to flirt with him and keep my guard up?
Enough. I am not a part of Henry’s romantic life. I’m not a model like this woman. I take another long look at those photos to burn them into my memory.
I am not the woman in these photos.
I close the album and return it to the box. It feels like a cold bucket of water has been dumped on my head, but at least I can approach things with a rational mind going forward.
Monday night has arrived, and I’m out the door to meet Hannah and Mia for drinks.
“I can’t believe this is the first girls’ night since your trip back to the States with your family! I need details and not the boring stuff you told everyone at the coffee shop,” Mia demands. “Did you see your ex? Was there drama?”
“Mia!” Hannah scolds her, “Don’t push her.” Then turns to me, “We are here to talk if you’d like, but don’t feel like you have to share.”
“Yes, she does need to share. We are in loving, boring,no-drama relationships, Hannah. I need drama, something juicy.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing, Mia. I happen to love my relationship.”
Mia rolls her eyes at Hannah’s comment and I just giggle. “Yes, we know you love Oliver, and of course I love Finn, but we need excitement!”
“All right…I did see him,” I admit. Mia squeals and Hannah grimaces. I add, “A few times.”
