The next morning when we were having breakfast together, Henry told me his news. There was no laughter or awkwardness. In fact, he spoke in tones of respect for the mother of his child and love for the son he had. The news brought tears I hadn’t expected. My thoughts reflected on that wretched intervention. I felt gratitude that we had repaired our relationship. Henry had other news—news that Griffin had not shared with me. “I want you to talk to Dad with me and Griffin. He needs to retire. He’s very forgetful. I think he needs to sell the big house and move into something smaller.”

“I think Daddy would rather die than retire.” But we often don’t get a say-so in our own aging process.

The next week brought the official grand opening of our restaurant, Griffin’s arrival, and Lady Jane’s departure. Things had settled back down into a natural ebb and flow between Elliott and me. But underneath, I was still very angry at him.

We opened a bottle of champagne. “To tomorrow night. Here’s hoping for a good night.” We toasted, and then I gave him the present I had purchased before Jane arrived. “Bailey, you are going to spoil me.” And then he looked at the sport coat and tried it on. It looked even better on him than in the box.

“What do you think?” I asked. He looked handsome.

“I think it clashes,” he began. “I think there’s too much of something.” He pretended to remove a imaginary wedding ring. “I think it clashes with a wife. So if given the choice, I choose you and to get rid of the wife.”

I hadn’t prepared for this. But that’s not to say I didn’t welcome it. He took another sip of champagne and moved closer to me. He pulled me close and began slowly kissing me. I jerked away. I needed to hear the words. “What are you saying, Elliott?”

“I’m saying I choose you. I sent Lady Jane home. Back to England. We are going to get a divorce, American-style. She doesn’t like it here, and I don’t like it there. We settled things before she left. This seemed to be the right moment to tell you. I think you must know how I feel. You are the most amazing woman, Bailey. I’m saying I love you.” He approached again, but this time, he kissed my cheek and brushed the hair out of my eyes. “I want you by my side when I open up my restaurant tomorrow night. But you should probably go home right now because I can’t promise you I will be a perfect gentleman. You are driving me crazy. Driving me to drink.” He went to the bar and poured himself a glass of Glenlivet—my brother’s favorite, once upon a time. No man had ever said those words to me. Not even Griffin. Elliott saw me as a woman, not as a girl he needed to protect. Elliott saw me as an equal. That was more intoxicating than any drink I had ever had.