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“What?” Bertrand asked, his mouth stuffed.
Imani said, “Tyler, will you be around long enough for the wedding?”
Henrietta shook her head. “He’s set to go home in May.”
“That’s a shame,” she said. “If you find your way back here in August, we’d love to have you.”
I thanked her for the invitation, trying to ignore the reminder about the fleeting nature of my stay here. “How did you two meet?” I asked.
They launched into the story, and I held A’yisha in my lap, wondering if someday, Henrietta and I would be telling the same story with a child of our own.
After dinner, there was cake and candles and singing. And when that was over, Kenner watched TV in the living room while everyone else sat around a long table playing Rummikub, her grandma, Cordelia’s, favorite game. Henrietta’s family partied like my family did—long and relaxed with plenty of beer and laughter.
I hadn’t ever felt so at home on a work trip, but now, with Henrietta by my side, I felt it.
But when Cordelia announced she was tired, that was everyone’s sign to go home. Johmarcus picked up a sleeping Kenner, who hung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Laila retrieved A’yisha from the Pack ‘n Play, while Bertrand and Justus helped carry out presents. Imani and Raven helped Tam pack up the food and throw out empty beer cans, and then they were gone too. It was clearly a practiced routine.
“Can I walk you to your truck?” Henrietta asked at my side.
I nodded, sad the night had come to an end.
As we walked down the sidewalk, barely lit by a lone streetlight, I said, “You know, I’m the one who’s supposed to be walking you to your door.”
Johmarcus waved out the window as they drove the van away, and it was quickly followed by the other two vehicles. Hen and I waved back, smiling as we did.
We paused by my pickup, and she looked up at me, moonlight sparkling in her eyes. “Is it bad if I say I wanted a few seconds longer?”
My heart sped at her admission, because I felt the same way. I could have stayed here all night, well into the next morning, and it still wouldn’t be long enough. “Henrietta, I have a question to ask you.”
Her lips lifted slightly, and I smiled, realizing I was learning all her smiles, all her laughs. This one was shy, patient.
“Will you go on a date with me?” I asked. Never before had I been so nervous to ask, so anxious for the answer... so crushed when her features fell.
There was a war happening on her face, and I didn’t know why. Had I read her signals wrong?
“Tyler, I’d love to,” she said, “but Janessa said dating contractors is strictly forbidden. I like spending time with you, but... I can’t lose my job.”
My chest ached as all hope fled my body. With the way Janessa came on to me at the build site, I knew it was a lie, no matter how earnestly Henrietta delivered it. She even seemed genuinely regretful to say no. But I should have known better than to plan an imaginary future with a girl I’d just met. No matter how beautiful and intriguing she was. I’d let myself get invested before I even knew her true feelings.
And arguing the point now would only disrespect her, disrespect her father in saying it was her choice, and her choice alone.
So I dipped my head, attempting to recover, and smiled back at her. “I completely understand. Thank you for inviting me to the party. I’ll see you on Monday.”
21
Henrietta
Confession: I haven’t really been saving for a house...
The walkback to the house was the longest of my life. It took all I had to keep my shoulders square and not show Tyler how much this decision was killing me on the inside. I managed a smile and a wave as his truck drove by, and then I walked inside, expecting to make a quiet escape to my bedroom.
Instead, my mom, dad, and grandma were waiting in the living room. I froze in the doorway, feeling like a goldfish in the bowl. “Why are you all staring at me?”
“Well!” Grandma said. “Did he ask you out?”
My features fell. That’s what this was about? “Why would you think he asked me out?”
She glanced at Dad who admitted that Tyler had asked his permission.