Page 34 of Unconventionally, Elle

Now

"Barrett, you said your dad is going to be there tonight but has to leave early, right?

" I was reaching for my purse as Barrett stood up from his couch.

I'd arrived at his condo earlier to write while he got some work done before dinner.

"Wait, where did you say they live again?

" I knew it wasn't technically in the city but was still pretty close.

"Correct. Dad has to catch a flight out to Miami for a large real estate deal and won't be joining us for dessert.

" Barrett rolled his eyes and scoffed. "And they live in Weston.

It's about fifteen minutes or so away, so not too far.

" He reached into his hall closet for a blazer.

"Are you sure you don't want to borrow a winter jacket?

I'm sure Emma left one here, and it's frigid outside.

As much as I love looking at you in your black dress and pearls"--he walked over to me and kissed my cheek--"you're not wearing anything very warm.

" The concern in his tone made my heart ache in the best possible way.

"I'm good, I promise. We're just going to be in the car and then their house. How bad can it be?" I said with a nonchalant shrug.

"Oh, Elle Watson. Those will be your famous last words." He pulled me into a firm hug, and the vibration of his deep chuckle spread throughout my body as I held him tighter.

I knew Barrett and his dad weren't close, especially since the conversation of retirement was thick in the air, and after his panic episode yesterday I knew it was getting to him.

He was being pressured--no, forced--into a career he didn't want to pursue.

He told me he asked his dad after their conference call yesterday to leave the business to his uncle--his dad's brother--to let him run the company.

His father vehemently refused and told Barrett it was his responsibility to the family to be the next Henry in charge.

Barrett came back to my condo that night a shell of himself and lay on the couch with his head on my lap for hours while I ran my fingers through his hair and kept The Office playing.

I believed the only reason his parents were having this show of a dinner tonight was so that they could finally meet me, the new girlfriend.

Barrett had confessed that Thanksgiving was never a huge deal for his family, and usually his parents would travel out of the country, leaving him and Emma to celebrate by themselves.

We were moving toward the door when I added, "Well, even if your dad is there and it's a little tense, I'm sure we will have a great time with your mother." I smiled at him reassuringly.

Barrett stepped in front of me and shook his head in disbelief.

"Elle, I don't know where you get your positivity from, but I love it.

My mom will be thrilled I'm visiting for dinner, that's for sure.

The faster we get this dinner over with, the better.

I'd rather be on the couch watching the Red Sox as usual, but with you of course.

" He winked, then opened the door, holding it open for me to walk through.

"We should hurry. My mother has a strong aversion to tardiness.

" He checked his phone one last time and then slipped it into his coat pocket.

His slim navy blazer accentuated his broad shoulders.

Winter was in full force, and a fresh blanket of soft snow dusted the ground. The sun was beginning to set over the horizon, and the ice crystals on the bare trees sparkled. The cold caught me by surprise, and my gasp left a cloud of breath that lingered while we walked to his Lexus SUV.

"I told you you'd want a jacket." He smirked as I pulled my arms in for warmth.

"Oh, shove it," I teased back. "I'm . . ."

He opened the door and in his other hand was a heavy winter jacket.

"Just in case, I thought I'd grab it," he said confidently.

I rolled my eyes and smiled as he helped me put the jacket on over my outfit and get in the passenger seat.

"I didn't know you had another vehicle?" I said as I turned the seat warmer on high.

"Well, my Porsche prefers less ice on the roads." He laughed, then pressed the ignition button.

About twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a large iron gate.

Barrett put in a code, and the gate rolled back.

The driveway turned over on itself for at least a mile before the house finally came into view, a mansion and sprawling estate with heavy original stone and meticulous vintage details.

There was a fountain in front of the home, and the driveway looped around it, placing us right at the enormous wooden front door.

"Oh my God." My mouth was ajar as I stared at the mansion before my eyes.

"Yeah, it's nice on the outside," Barrett remarked, "but it's probably colder in that house than it is out here." He gave me a quick eyebrow raise and put the car in park.

An older man with short white hair and a uniform walked from the door to greet us. Barrett made his way around the Lexus and opened my door as the man stopped in front of us. "Welcome home, Mr. Barrett." He bowed his head.

I watched, transfixed.

"Good evening, Harold, how are you?" He gave the man a crooked grin and embraced him. Barrett looked genuinely pleased to see him. His smile spread naturally, and his energy relaxed as the old man, Harold, hugged him back with a tight squeeze.

"Very well, sir. Thank you." Harold smiled and stepped back. His eyes went from Barrett, back to me, then back to Barrett. He beamed and then bowed to me. "It's a pleasure to host you, miss."

"Elle. Um, my name is Elle," I replied shyly.

Harold chuckled and straightened. "Welcome, Miss Elle. We are delighted to have you with us tonight." He pointed to the house and looked to Barrett. "Your mother is waiting just inside, sir." He bowed his head again and then walked around the SUV to go park it in the garage.

The front door was larger in person, and as we walked up, Mrs. Henry swung it open to greet us.

"Darling, so good to see you!" She wrapped Barrett in a tight hug.

"Oh, my boy, I've missed you. It's been too long.

" She backed up slightly and her eyes captured mine.

I knew exactly where Emma and Barrett inherited their crystal-blue eyes from.

She extended her arms toward me in excitement.

"And this must be your Elle!" She grasped my forearms with cold, firm hands and proceeded to give me an air kiss on each cheek. I was in way over my head.

"Yes, ma'am, nice to meet you." I smiled, shy and slightly intimidated.

She stood up straight and stared at Barrett. "Ma'am?" She raised her eyebrow in disapproval.

"Mother, she's from New Orleans. It's nothing offensive." Barrett smiled warmly at his mother, but when she looked back at me, I caught his gaze from behind her and saw him mouth, Sorry!

"Oh, right, right. They do say that there, don't they?" Mrs. Henry smiled coolly at me and motioned for us to follow her into the house.

Great, this was going to be a fantastic evening. I rolled my eyes to myself and felt Barrett's hand grasp mine firmly. I looked up and he smiled down. A quick squeeze let me know that he was still with me and wasn't going anywhere.

We were led to a large den, where his father was waiting with scotch and cigars. "Barrett, my boy." His voice boomed in the antique room.

Floral wallpaper and the smell of aged wood surrounded us as we walked in to greet Mr. Henry.

"Hello, Father." Barrett's voice was short and crisp.

The tension in the room was thicker than the cigar smoke.

My heart ached for Barrett and the person he had to become around his parents, mainly his father.

His mother was quiet, seen but not heard.

I had a feeling, though, for no particular reason, that Barrett was her baby and she loved him dearly.

A few times I saw her look from Barrett to her husband, and her eyes were heavy, her forehead creased with concern.

The Henrys, they had all of this money and all of this financial success, yet I knew all Barrett wanted to do was run home with me and watch baseball.

I guess you can be financially successful but still lack in other areas of your life.

Barrett had told me that his big dream was to own a sailboat and have a tour company off of Nantucket.

He just wanted to sail. He was excited to bring me there, because for him, that was his happy place.

"Good evening, Mr. Henry. Nice to meet you, I'm Elle Watson." I extended my hand, hoping it was the right thing to do.

"The pleasure is all mine." His smile was forced, his face tense with a lack of genuine joy.

After a few cocktails, everyone seemed to relax a little more. Mrs. Henry talked more to me instead of through Barrett, and she even gave me a few somewhat genuine smiles throughout the evening's conversations. To be honest, it was hard to tell, but I'd accept any smile that woman gave me.

Dinner was delicious--a baked ham with all the usual Thanksgiving sides--but also, smoked salmon?

Barrett leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Dad has a poultry allergy. I saw you staring at the salmon." He chuckled lightly and his breath sent a tingle through my spine.

While I was still a little insecure, I felt so incredibly special that Barrett had brought me to meet his family.

Emma was supposed to be at dinner, but Olivia had her on assignment in New York and she hadn't made it back yet.

Mr. Henry's voice was soft and proud when he spoke about Emma.

I wasn't sure, but the way his eyes lit up at the mention of her name, I had a feeling she was his favorite.

"So, Elle, I hear you work with Emma. Is that right?" Mrs. Henry asked casually before looking over at her husband.