The Marriage Counselor

15. Someone married to the heir of the Chamber's family

Samantha

The car ride home is quiet. Henry stares straight ahead through the windshield, his hands clutching the steering wheel, a hard look on his face. Sam stares out the passenger window, hugging herself for comfort more than anything. She's doing her best not to cry right now because it certainly won't make things any better. Even Rebecca— who hates silence— sits in the back seat without attempting one of her zingy one liners.

When they drop Rebecca off at her house, Sam walks her to the front door. The two best friends exchange a tight hug, in which Becks says she'll talk to her attorney husband Paul about all this, see what he thinks. She promises that everything will be okay. Sam doesn't respond to this last statement. She's not sure things will be okay, not for a while at least.

When she gets back into Henry's passenger seat, she manages to get out, "If you want to take me home, I understand."

"I can't even begin to think about taking you back to that place," He says without looking at her, pulling out of Becks gated community. "But if that's what you want, say the word and I'll do it."

"I want to stay with you." It's the only thing she feels certain of at this moment.

His hand reaches over the center console as he drives, his palm opening in her lap, and she's all too willing to take his hand. Nothing else is said for the half an hour drive back to his place. As they get closer and closer, Sam can feel her nose prickling and her chest tighten. Once they park, it's like the flood gates open.

"You were right. I was wrong. I shouldn't have come. I don't know what I was thinking."

"Hey, hey," His voice is soft. He shuts off the car before turning in his seat to face her. His fingers move to wipe away her fallen tears. "Regardless of whether or not you were there, the outcome would have remained the same. It was always going to end with that... repulsive thing Stephen wants to call an 'offer.'"

"I'm so sorry," Her voice breaks. "I'm so sorry, Henry. I can't say it enough. I'm so sorry."

"Samantha, what did I say about the apologies? I don't want nor need them. You've done nothing wrong except follow your heart—"

"That's what's wrong! All of this. Cheating on Cody. Dragging you into this mess. Thinking this would end in anything other than disaster. Not only is your career at risk but now Stephen's threatening to charge you with some disgusting crime you didn't commit. All because of me. Because I'm stupid and selfish—"

"You're talking about the woman I love," It's his attempt to lighten the mood but he also means it. "Let's go inside. We can get you in some comfy clothes. And we can figure this out together, okay?"

They head inside, greeted by the enthusiastic retriever Red. After giving her some attention, Henry let's her out and makes sure her water dish is full. They then head upstairs to the bedroom together and into his closet, where her overnight bag sits.

"Can I wear one of your shirts?" She asks in a small voice, shedding off her black dress, letting it fall to the floor around her feet. She's not thinking right now. She just wants to be held and told everything will be okay even if it won't.

He's shedding off his clothes, carefully placing his blazer across the couch in the closet. "You know you don't have to ask. Take your pick." He smiles softly at her, gesturing with his chin towards his hanging tshirts.

"I want the one you were wearing," It'll always be her first pick. The one he's wearing is always warm and smells just like him.

As he slips his white button up off, he crosses the space between them and pulls the fabric over her arms, taking the time to button it up for her.