Chapter 17

I don't really know if it was a good idea to come tonight. I have been in London for three days now and Heather told me that her husband and she as well as Henry would go out for dinner tonight and I should join them. Neither did she mention anything about this small yet extremely fancy restaurant nor that he would look that damn good in a suit.

When I told her, that I didn't have anything to wear to go to a normal restaurant, she made me go shopping with her. She dragged me through different stores and when she saw the dress I am currently wearing, she talked me into trying it. And I must admit, I do feel sexy, empowered and beautiful in it.

At first I thought it would be too revealing with the slit on my right leg that goes up to the mid of my thigh, the neckline that makes my boobs looking bigger than they actually are and the back of the dress, which is only covered by a thin strap that holds the straps around my shoulders in place.

But when I stepped out of the changing room and Heather saw me in it, she let go of an approving whistle. Her words were, if I would wear that every man – single or not – would turn their head and look at me wishing I would accompany him home.

Now I think it is not appropriate for an establishment like this.

"You look beautiful," Henry compliments me after greeting me. His words boost my ego, and I can feel my cheeks getting warmer. His hand is on my back and my heart starts to race in my chest. I notice that he lets his eyes wander of my body and an approving smile is on his lips.

If I hadn't been looking, I wouldn't have seen that he was licking his lower lip. What a weird reaction from his side. I need to clear my throat before I can answer.

"Yeah, Heather is the reason for buying this dress. But you don't look to shabby yourself," I tell him and let my eyes wander over his suit again.

When I stepped into this restaurant and saw him in his tailored tux only a few moments ago, I was at loss of words. How can someone look so good in a suit?

Henry wants to say something, but Heather interrupts him by stepping between us and then hugging me.

"I am so glad that you came," she sighs pleased and then checks out my dress. "And the dress looks amazing on you. The man around us are already staring," she whispers in my ear in amusement.

"The threat that you would come to my hotel and drag me here, was too scarry," I joke, after she steps away and move my hands over the deep-sea green fabric of my satin dress. Hopefully I won't show more than I want to tonight.

"You really look good. However, if Heather left the house like that, I couldn't let her go," Charles tells me and I look at him warily.

"Do you want to tell me, that I wouldn't fit in it?" his wives ask him snubbed.

"No, that's not what I meant. I just couldn't keep my hands off you and that would be gone in mere seconds," he starts, then leans down to her ear and whispers the rest into it. By her reaction I assume that he tells her that he would probably try to make baby number five with her.

"How about we sit down," Henry says a bit tense, and I nod. Yes, I need a drink to survive this. Henry pulls out the chair for me and I can feel his body heat against my barely covered back.

"I've seen that they announced that you will be attending the Hugo Awards," Heather says as we sit down. When I slightly lean back, I can feel his fingers touching my back. I turn my head to him when his fingertips trace my skin as he steps to the seat next to mine. Pressing my lips together, I watch him sitting down on my right.

"Yes," I start and turn my head to look at her. "And I will be presenting one as well. Just thinking about it, makes me nervous," I tell her, and she laughs.

On one hand I am worried that I might not find the right words and let people down on the other hand I am excited that I can finally attend them. My books were nominated, and I even won Best Series a few years ago, but I never flew out there, because while I was studying, I was afraid of what the other students might think and afterwards, I didn't feel ready to show my face.

"I'm sure you will do great. And if you need some pointers in public speaking, my brother will be more than willing to help you, won't you?" Charles tries to encourage me and looks at Henry.

"Surely. However, I think that Charlotte is more than capable of speaking in front of a large audience. In case you do need my help, I'm here for you," Henry says and both of them stare at each other. I don't know what is going on between them, but they seem tense.

The rest of the dinner is going well. Heather showed me the video she made, when her daughter was flabbergasted when she finally received my latest book with a handwritten note from me, which I already thought to be lost in the mail. Her reaction made my heart melt.

"How have your last few days been in London? Are you glad that you are back in civilization?" Heather asks me after we finished dessert.

"Actually, I liked the calmness and tranquility of the woods around the filming locations, but I am happy to be back in London. I had time to cross off a few things on my bucket list. Especially yesterday, when I met with David."

"David as in one of Henry's best friends?" Charles asks me suddenly very interested.

"Yes. I introduced them," Henry says, and it somewhat seems to have a pissed undertone, but I am probably imagining that.

"He is amazing. He has all this knowledge about the historical buildings in this city and he showed me a few hidden gems. I am still in awe to be honest."

"Will you be meeting him again?" she asks me and wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

"Yes. The day after tomorrow I think."

"And what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"I don't have any yet."

"How about you join the kids and me visiting the Harry Potter studios?"

"Totally, they are on my list, and I can meet your daughter in person. Maybe I can answer her some of the questions she bugs you with," I laugh.

"What about you Henry? You said that you would come as well, didn't you?" Charles now asks his brother and I hear Henry taking a deep breath.

"Actually, I'm not so sure about that anymore."

Is he afraid that people might take pictures of his family? Is it because of me? Doesn't he want to do something with his family, because I will be there too? Is he concerned, that the rumors of us dating will resurface again, because his family is there?

I stare at the wine glass in front of me. All the questions swirling in my mind make my head ache.

"Charlotte," I can hear Henry say and then feel his hand on my arm. Confused I look at him, because I notice the worry in his voice. "Are you okay?" I turn my head toward him and open and close my mouth couple of times trying to find anything to say.

"If you would excuse me, I need to use the restroom," I tell them after a few moments of silence.

When I want to get up, I notice that Henry is about to stand up as well to help me with my chair like a real gentleman. Sighing I move the chair backwards and the legs of it make a loud squeaking sound. All heads in the restaurant turn in my direction. Henry is right next to me when I am standing. He wants to say something, but I grab my purse and move around him to walk to the restroom.

I put both my hands onto the cool marble of the counterspace and bend my head downwards. What am I actually doing here? Why do I punish myself like this?

Production in UK came to an end a few days ago and I traveled back to London. Thankfully the hotel I stayed at when I arrived here, was still available and I booked a room there until I would need to travel back to Los Angeles where the rest of the production would take place.

In the past few days, I have made up my mind not to join them on set there, because they will be filming the more intimate scenes of the book as well as the fighting scenes that need a lot of CGI. Knowing myself, I won't be able to watch them shooting the steamy scenes.

"What happened between the two of you?" I can hear Heather ask after the door falls back into the lock.

"Nothing happened."

"Clearly something has happened. When we were shopping this afternoon, you looked so happy and content. Now all of a sudden, you are tense. The only thing that has changed is the fact that Henry is here. You didn't talk to him at all tonight. And whenever he wanted to ask you something, you stopped him by asking me a question. You didn't really look at him or paid any attention to him. So, spill it out. What did my stupid brother-in-law do?" she says as she walks next to me and leans against the marble of the sink.

"He has done nothing, Heather. He is the perfect gentleman and friend," I tell her, and turn my head to look at her. I notice that she squints her eyes and puckers her lips for a moment. Suddenly she tears open her eyes as she realizes it.

"You like him," she states matter-of-factly and then shakes her head slightly.

"Yes," I admit, because I can't hide it anymore. She turns her body around and wraps her arm around my shoulders.

"Then why haven't you told him?" she asks as she puts her other hand onto my shoulder closer to her.

"Because he is in love with another woman, Heather," I tell her and lean my head against her.

"And you are sure about that?" she asks me, and I close my eyes.

"Henry didn't exactly admit it, but the way he speaks about her, tells me enough. I can't suppress my feelings for him anymore. I can't be close to him, because I know that there isn't a chance that we would be together. Whenever he touches me, my heart starts to race and my stomach flutters. I can't be his friend anymore, because I am falling madly in love with him."

"You should talk to him," she says and doesn't comment on the feelings I have for her brother-in-law.

"I don't know." I open my eyes and look at her in the mirror. She has a smile on her lips, and I thought that she would judge me for it, but there is sadness in her eyes.

"But you can't do this to yourself, Charlotte. You are miserable," she tells me and moves her hand over my back in a soothing motion.

"I will think about it. But we should go back, they are probably wondering where we are. But please don't tell him."

"Your feelings for him are save with me," she confirms and then helps me fix my makeup before we walk back to our table. But only Charles sitting there and sips on his drink. He seems to be in deep thoughts.

"Where is Henry?" Heather asks her husband confused and he shakes his head slightly as he gets torn out of his thoughts.

"We had a small disagreement and he said he would rather leave before causing a scene or saying things that he would regret later on," Charles sighs and he looks at me with a sad face.

"Was it because of me?" When I notice that he thinks about how to answer my question, I know that it was because of me. I was the cause for an argument between him and his brother.

"Do you know where he is?" I inquire immediately, and he nods. "Do you want to share it with me, or did he tell you not to?"

"He went home." I press my lips together and look at Heather who raises her eyebrow at me. I realize that I have to talk to him. That we have to talk about what happened tonight, even if it means that I will be losing him as a friend. I take my phone out of my purse, open the Uber app and give it to Heather.

"Put in his address," I tell her, and she gives it back to me when she is done.

"Stay safe." That's all she says before she almost pushes me out of the restaurant.

On my way to Henry's mews house, I think about what the best way to tell him is. Should I be direct? Should I ease into it? I weight the pros and cons of both options and I think it would be only fair to him to say it direct. I don't want to waste his time.

Surprisingly the drive from the restaurant to his home doesn't take long and when I get out of the car it is raining cats and dogs. The fabric of my dress is soaked in a few seconds and sticks to my skin. I lift my hand and knock against his door loudly. Kal's barks are noticeable through the door and a sad smile creep on my lips. I will miss my furry friend as well.

"What do you-", Henry starts angrily when he opens the door, but stops when he sees me. He already got rid of his suit jacket and only stands in front of me with his crisp white shirt and suit pants on. "Charlotte, what are you doing here?" he asks me confused and draws his eyebrows together.