Page 70 of See You at the Sunset

Sitting here now, watching it all play out, she wasn’t so sure. They might not be able to win, but taking money to be silenced left a boulder in her throat and a sourness in her belly.

She looked back up, meeting eyes with Henry. His softened. He saw the struggle she was going through. Could it be possible that the two of them had had some of their most intense conversation here in the middle of a heated legal discussion, without even saying one word?

She wanted to climb into his lap and put her head on his shoulder and comfort him after a long, hard day... to be comforted by him after the emotional toil of the meeting.

She wanted a future with Henry.

And she hoped that he’d want that too, even though she couldn’t possibly see how.

28

Henry sat through the entire meeting with barely contained rage. It had gotten to the point where he’d felt physically ill, his body rejecting holding his frustration and outrage in.

Some of this anger was directed at Wainwright and the company, sure. But some, he had to admit, was at himself. He’d been complicit. He’d suspected what was happening within these four walls; it was his job to know. After hearing some of the specifics of how Wainwright’s behavior hurt people, people like Jia, he couldn’t justify his own actions and inactions any longer. Henry couldn’t explain them away as doing his job.

He knew this was what would happen—that the company would try to minimize the experience of the women present. He wasn’t sure that Wainwright would out himself as the prick that he was. But apparently he couldn’t help himself.

And Jia. Jia had been incredible. She’d spoken up for herself. She was brave and did what she’d come to do. He wasn’t surehow she felt about the decision to settle, but he hoped she was proud of herself. Because he was so fucking proud of her.

Henry collected the papers in front of him and opened the leather folio he’d brought them in. A postcard that he hadn’t seen before was tucked in the inside pocket. He pulled it out. It readGreetings from Palm Springson the front. Henry turned it over and froze. On the back were small messages written in various hands.

We’ll miss you —Mimi

Go get ’em Henry —Gordon

NY is so lucky —Betty

Come back soon —Eugene

Love you, Hank —Dennis

Gonna miss your morning runs ;) —Gladys

And many more. His eyes scanned them all. A message in beautifully loopy handwriting in the corner caught his eye:

I believe in you <3 —Jia

He swallowed back the emotion. Henry didn’t deserve this kindness. But it was delivered to him at just the right time.

He looked up to find Jia and her team quietly encouraging each other with pats and hand squeezes and smiles. As they walked out, she looked back over her shoulder at Henry.

His heart fluttered at just that one look. He felt like a lovesickteenager. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small, reassuring smile that remained even as he watched her go.

He looked around the conference room. He’d dreamed of having a seat at tables just like this. He’d worked hard to be accepted and respected among men like the ones currently in perfectly tailored suits standing in the corner, talking in hushed tones. He prided himself on being the one knowledgeable and prepared enough to deliver the knockout blow in legal battles like he had today.

But none of that felt satisfying anymore—not like seeing Jia walk out with her head held high, looking back at Henry like he meant something to her.

He let his fingers run over the heavy card stock of the postcard. Something had changed in Henry. And the names on this card had everything to do with it. Most especially Jia’s.

He couldn’t sit there any longer.

He needed to see her, to talk to her, before she left New York. He had to tell her how amazing she was. He wanted to apologize that he’d never done anything to protect her from this, even though he hadn’t known her back then. He had been a good lawyer, but he wished he could have been a better man. He wanted to confess to her his feelings and hopes that they could figure out how to make this work.

He couldn’t let her leave without telling her everything.

Henry quickly stood, gathered his stuff, and hoped he could catch up to Jia before she got on the elevator.

“Good work, Shin. Pretty sure we buried this before it took life.” Steven Sword stepped between Henry and the door. He patted him on the shoulder. He leaned in to add, “Look, I’ll make sure Wainwright steps in line and we don’t have to deal with this kind of nonsense anymore. But good to know thatprecedence was set that, even if he does, the law is on our side.” He stepped back and laughed.