The Devil Who Owes Me A Kiss

his father's follow-up appointment to find an

onytail, and she wore a crisp white blouse and tailored black pants that spoke of quiet professionalism. She looked up as Henry approached, a

e he and Verity had started dating. She was still Verity's best friend, of course, but she'd always

racticed efficiency. "I was dropping of

cial an

d me to review them." She tucked the report into her leather briefcas

e's supposed to be

"Just for me. I think he needs to feel connected to something meaningful, He

nize the truth in that. Robert had never been g

olved with Wynthorne

our father mentioned some discrepancies in the projections during one of Verity's visit

ys been exceptional with mathematics and economics-subjects

nd anything?

ked up her book, seeming eager to end the conve

sure why he was stopping

ompany's future, though he tries to hide it. But he's also determined-stubborn,

ve her assessment was after just a fe

"For helping. I know he

ence. Show him you know what you're talking about, and he'll listen." She shouldered her briefcase. "He reminds m

most as if she were trying not to be noticed. Henry watched

-

his father underwent regular check-ups and treatments, and Cleveland Enterprises, where he reluctan

ed their one-year anniversary with a weekend trip to the coast, where for a brief, glorious forty-eight

the water and Verity's hand in his, he

own since the day your father collapsed, and I s

said, tucking a strand of blonde h

ful life together, Henry. Once your father is better,

whispered about Cambridge and science and dreams defe

-

rength, disaster struck again. Henry received the call at three in the mor

obert was already on a ventil

the doctor. "He was getting better

he damage to his heart from the first episode was more extensive than we

No, I'm not 'preparing myse

ty waver. He barely left the hospital, sleeping in the uncomfortable chair by his f

at couldn't reach him. They had plans-Cambridge had accepted him for the fall semester

that seemed

airing, encountered Lavinia again. She arrived just as Verity was leaving, t

Lavinia said, seeing Hen

aid, surprising h

didn't offer platitudes or try to fill the silence with meaningless chatter. She simply sat, her c

he spoke. "Have y

mber. "I think Verit

nto her bag and pulled out a wr

ouched by the simple

sounds the rhythmic beeping of the ma

that your father keeps a photo of you in hi

surprised. "How

tilator. "He was telling me about your Cambridge acceptanc

tighten. "He said tha

d that could change the world. That he was selfish

s. His father had never

ia said softly, seeming to read

p," Henry corre

ark eyes met

n him, and for the first time in days,

-

nd opened his eyes. Henry was dozing in th

said, jol

rt. The ventilator had been removed the day

id again, his voice

moving closer to the bed. "Yo

d a weak smile

ief. "I think I'm allowed to swear

ge," he said. "You need to writ

sion return. "Dad, we don't

termined. "The company needs you, Henry. I ne

he times Robert had finally agreed to let him pursue his own path. But looking at his f

nstead. "Just unti

ief conversation. He closed his eyes, and within

ike grief, that he would not be going to Cambridge in the fall. Perhaps not the next year either, or the

hroughs seemed to fade like morning mist, replaced by the soli

ill on track-that his father's awakening meant their plans could proceed as before. H

-

n even stricter regimen of care. Henry took a leave of absence from university to work full-t

" she told him, after attending a company functi

. "It's the Cleveland

way you handle yourself, the way you

been a compliment, but

-or unwillingness-to understand it. They argued more frequently, usually about the same things: h

er a particularly heated exchange. "You have everything most people dre

wanted," Henry said, his v

eyes. "Dreams change, Henry. People change. Why can

for her. Not one sh

urce of stability. She continued to visit Robert regularly, helping him