Page 76 of Own Me
God, I’ve had too much to drink.
Merrick has let go of Henry, but his arm is still stretched out against the back of the couch. “By the way, here you go.” He sets his drink down. Slipping his hand into his jacket, he pulls out my black bottoms from my costume.
“Uh … Thanks?” I grab them and stuff them into my purse, my face reddening.
Henry leans over me. “You mean you’ve been walking around with those in your pocket all afternoon?”
Merrick grins. “I’m impressed with the laundry service here.”
Henry shakes his head. “Prick.” They’re both so at ease with each other. It’s a relief to see after what happened last night.
“Youwantme to be a prick?” With a sly grin, Merrick leans in and whispers in my ear, “You’re perfect for him. We’re all happy to see him marrying you.”
Warmth floods my chest with his endorsement, even as his lips graze my earlobe.
“Watch it, Mer,” Henry warns as Merrick pulls away.
The golden boy winks at me.
Warner returns and, after handing Preston his drink, fills the seat on the other side of Margo. “That restaurant was excellent. What was the name of it again?” He pats his taut belly. “I need to remember it for next time.”
“I think it was Daddy’s Place?” Preston cocks his head at Henry.
“SecretDaddy,” Merrick counters without missing a beat.
Warner layers on, “SecretWolfDaddy?” They all laugh. Even I’m having a hard time keeping a straight face.
“You’re all idiots. How the fuck are you guys in your thirties?” Henry snaps, giving them the rise they’re fishing for.
“Look at him, thinking he’s more mature than us because he’s a father now,” Warner throws back, earning another round of laughter.
Margo’s jaw drops as she stares at Henry and then spouts something in French.
Finally, something that shocks her.
CHAPTER15
Iwake to the sound of Henry’s throaty chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” I roll over to find him staring at his phone.
Instead of explaining, he hands it to me.
Henry:Hi, Violet, it’s Henry Wolf. Your grandparents agreed to fix up the house to sell through my agent. You’ll get a much better price for it. I’ll deal with Barbara.
It’s the message he sent to Violet last night after I pushed him. Short and simple and lacking any affection whatsoever, but I remind myself that Henry is still learning to crawl when it comes to her.
I caught Henry checking his phone a dozen times last night and while he always had something work-related waiting for him, I don’t think that’s what he was looking for.
Violetfinallyresponded this morning, likely after weighing her answer all night, and it seems they’ve been chatting while I blissfully snored beside him.
Violet:Hello, Henry Wolf. My grandparents told me. What is that saying? Oh yeah … I told you so.
Henry:What is that other saying? Oh yeah … You’re welcome.
Violet:If I give your invisible robotic eye the finger, will you see it?
Henry:Yes. Stop giving your grandparents a hard time.