Chapter Twenty-One

I rolled onto my back and opened my eyes. Christmas morning had arrived. I grinned, then swung my feet over the side of the bed and hurried to get ready before Henry saw me. We wanted the “real Christmas experience,” so we promised no changing, but doing Christmas in our pj’s. Of course, my pj’s consisted of a T-shirt, sweats, and matching gray hoodie. What I wouldn’t give for my burgundy silk pajamas and matching robe. I tiptoed down the hall to the bathroom, got presentable, and then stopped by the kitchen to commandeer muffins and two cups of coffee. Inside the staff lounge, I found Henry starting a fire in the stove. “Merry Christmas.”

Henry flicked a match into the opening and grinned. “Merry Christmas!”

I set my haul on the coffee table, and then put my arms out for a hug.

He filled them and kissed me soft and slow.

“So, I have a gift for you,” I said, unraveling from his hold.

He rubbed his hands together and dropped on the couch. “Hit me.”

I reached under the pitiful Christmas tree Eunice had decorated earlier that week and pulled out a long red envelope. “Merry Christmas.”

Henry grinned and reached for it.

I cuddled up next to his side, so excited for him to open it. The decision to do this wasn’t instant. It took me a while to accept how perfect this gift would be.

He slid his finger along the crease and ripped the side open. He blew into the envelope, then withdrew the white calendar page and business card. He stared at the card. “I don’t understand.”

I smiled. “Read what is happening on December 30th.”

He opened the month calendar page, and his eyes scrolled to the bottom. “Appointment with Mr. Tremaine, 3 p.m.” Henry peered up at me with a wrinkled brow.

“Don’t you get it? I got you an appointment with my dad to pitch your screenplay.”

His mouth fell open. Tears pooled in his eyes. “But how? I thought…”

I licked my lips, proud of this moment. “My dad might not remember me, but I still have the inside scoop on how his system works. I have watched the process a million times and know all the back channels. I just used the inside scoop, pretending to be other people who he respects.”

He sniffed. “But I thought you didn’t want me to use him for my gain.”

I shrugged. “You’re not. I am. I made it happen. You didn’t do anything other than love me. That was enough. I love you—”

The word love permeated the room like thick perfume.

“You love me?” He scooted so that our thighs touched and grazed his lips across mine. “And I love you, Cynthia. Thank you. It’s perfect.”

We kissed again.

I can’t remember a time in my life when I experienced more happiness. I didn’t want it to end. Nothing could take this emotion from me. I wouldn’t let it.

“I need to ask you something,” he said.

“Sure, what?” I asked.

His stare gazed deep into mine, searching. All merriment dissolved from his face, replaced by a grim, serious expression.

Now I worried. Maybe I had expressed happiness too soon. My smile faded, replaced by fear, now nervous my joyful balloon might be popped.

“You’re returning to the old life in a week, right?”

I nodded. “It’s the hope, yeah.”

“What happens to me? To us?”

I hadn’t let myself think about that too much. Mainly because I didn’t like the answer. In truth, I already realized we would not remember each other. I would likely go back to just thinking of him as a working man, but I hoped the change in me would give him a chance. In this moment, I could not imagine a world where I did not love this guy. But this was the fantasy—the planet of my past and future. Where I planned to return did not have him in it. “I don’t think you’ll remember me.”

His hand slid to the back of my neck, and he cupped his hand around the base of my head.

His lips found mine, and he kissed me passionately, and then his mouth moved to my ear, his breath warm.

“Then don’t go.”

I untangled from his arms and pushed back. “But I have to.”

Henry got to his feet and started to pace. “You don’t have to. You could ask the fairy godmother to let you stay. With me.”

Though I loved that he wanted me to stay and had come to believe me, I could not grant this request. It wasn’t about the money. Not anymore. It was about the fact I loved my father too much. I had twenty plus years loving Dad; I had only loved Henry for a few months. “I miss my dad.”

Henry walked around the coffee table and held out the red envelope. “Cindy, I need you. Don’t you see that? It’s all I want. I’d give up my dream, all of it, to have you in my life. Please stay with me.”

His words sounded crazy, insane even. I rejected the envelope. “You could not give everything up for some girl you’ve only known for a few months.”

He slumped down to the coffee table and sighed. “You’re not just some girl.”

I leaned forward and kissed the top of his head, then cupped my palms around his jaw and directed his face to see mine. “Henry, I love you more than I thought possible. There’s a strong connection between us, and I feel that, too. But this isn’t real. This isn’t who I am or where I belong. It’s a fairy tale. A messed-up one, but one and the same. I need to love you in my rightful place in the world. Not here. Not like this.” I caressed his cheek. “You could not give up your dad for me. King is important to you, am I right?”

He nodded with defeat in his eyes.

“Like my dad is important to me. I want him back, but I promise, I will do whatever it takes to find you again.”

“What if you don’t remember me?”

I rubbed my hand across his closely shaved cheek and grinned. “I will never forget how you make me feel. No curse could undo that. You’re my hero…my prince. If we’re meant to be, fate will intervene. I have to believe that.”

We wrapped our arms around each other and hugged.

“Now, let’s drink our coffee before it gets cold.”

He shifted back up to the couch and reached for a mug. He held it out. “Cheers. To the girl I love.”

I picked up the other cup and clanked it to his. “To the girl who loves him back.”

He sipped, a smile on his face, but sorrow in his eyes.

I hadn’t convinced him. How could I? I wasn’t convinced, either. But what could I do? The New Year would be here in a week, and my life would change for better or worse, with or without Henry. Nothing could stop that now.