Summer to Winter

Chapter Twenty-One

When Henry drove to Sy's house, he was in the best mood that he had been in for a very long time. She made him so happy without trying and he needed to figure out a way to tell her, but their production hadn't even started yet. He needed to figure out how to make this work, she was such a special woman and he didn't want to mess anything up. It seemed like she also had feelings for her, but how could he find out for sure?

He pulled onto her street and tried to park in the driveway, but it was occupied. He parked across the street and noticed Sy at the door in a very defensive stance, glaring at a little man that he hadn't seen before. Her body language told him enough about the situation to jump into action. He got out of his car, grabbed Kal's leash and the two of them stomped quickly to her rescue. Without saying a word to the giant bear, Henry noticed that Kal was acting very protective of Sy as well. It seems that I'm not the only one to have a crush on a pretty lady... Henry jumped into action and without thinking, kissed her protectively and handed her the leash. Too late to back down now, you massive nob. You just kissed the girl.

The prick in the front lawn finally left and Henry was alone with Sy again. It was all instinct how both he and Kal had been protective of her. Not that she really needed it. Seemed like she had it under control and the two of them were just the emphasis that was needed. Now Henry had to figure out what that confrontation was all about.

Henry drove since his car was allowed on the lot and her pass only let her park in the structure. After a few minutes of silence, "So... are you going to tell me what that was all about?"

Sy was looking out of the window at the passing scenery, mindlessly twisting a piece of her hair between her fingers. "That was Tim. We broke up over a year ago... I don't know why he decided to come back. Figures, I opened the door smiling... thinking it was going to be you, to be honest." She sighed and recounted the story of finding him with Brittany, how betrayed and worthless she felt. She sniffed, "Then he showed up at my door out of the blue. I don't even know how he knew that I was back from New York. Anyone who was a mutual friend, chose my side and shunned him."

He could tell that she was struggling to hold back tears, so reached across to grab her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm really glad I was there to help keep you strong then. But honestly, it didn't look like you really needed mine or Kal's help." He chuckled. She didn't let go of his hand, so he didn't pull away, instead interlacing their fingers and traced small circles with his thumb to comfort her. "You should never feel like you aren't good enough. You are an amazing woman and he is a giant idiot for not seeing that."

"Thank you... I honestly have no idea why I was with him for as long as we dated. We were young and I was naïve. I thought that after 8 years he would have grown up, but his parents still did EVERYTHING for him. It was hard to watch a grown man so dependent on his mom and dad... and it started to feel like I was more like his second mother than his partner."

Eight years. That was a REALLY long time. Henry's longest relationship hadn't lasted much more than a year and that was only because he never saw her in person long enough to break it off. "I can't even come close to imagining what that must be like." I can't even really say that I've ever been in love... "I was engaged at one point, but I was also young and thought it was the thing to do since all of my brothers were doing the same thing... That obviously didn't work out."

"We were engaged too. He asked me while completely drunk on the night we graduated from college. I don't even remember if he actually asked to marry me and I know for a fact that I didn't actually say yes... my reply was 'I guess?' Romantic, huh?" Sy let out a deep sigh. "That was pretty much the beginning of the end. He didn't ask for my Mom or brother's permission beforehand and I don't think I told them for a few weeks that he had finally proposed. I never felt the urge that most girls do... choosing a date, picking a dress, looking at venues... I also really hated my ring, so I never wore it. I really should've left him long before I actually did. I don't know..." Her voice got quiet, "He made me feel like I wasn't good enough for anyone else to love, like he was the one doing me a favor for letting me date him. Everything I did and the way I looked was an embarrassment for his 'image.' He never listened to my thoughts or opinions... At some point, I guess I started believing him. He alienated me from most of my friends... Eric was the only one that never left my side. He REALLY hated Tim. I guess I should've taken his advice from the beginning..." She drifted off in her thoughts.

Henry gritted his teeth. He couldn't believe how one boy could affect an amazing woman like her so deeply. She was one of the most amazing women that he had ever met; how could Tim be so callous and blind?

They pulled through the security gate and onto the lot. Henry parked and turned to her without letting go of her hand. She was still stuck in her head and looking out of the window. "I need you to look at me, Syden." She turned to him and Henry looked deep into her eyes and said "I feel like we have spent enough time together now that I would consider you as a friend. We have shared a lot of personal things and I am going to tell you something that I hope you really take to heart. Can you do that for me?"

She nodded.

"You, Syden, are one of the most amazing women I have ever met. DO. NOT. EVER think that you are not. Tim is a massive nob for treating you the way that he did and deserves all of your venom. Please believe that there are real men in the world that would do anything and everything to make you happy and only ask for that beautiful smile as payment." He wanted to yell at the top of his lungs that all he wanted to do was be that man, but he didn't want to scare her. "I need you to forget about your past with him... I know that it's easier said than done, but he is not worth your tears."

Henry wanted to kiss her. Really kiss her. Not just in haste like he did earlier at the front door. He kissed her hand instead. "You have to go see Amy now. Don't want you being late... she won't let me hear the end of it when she finds out I was the cause." He chuckled, "Come find me in the gym when you're done. I don't want to interrupt you ladies."

She thanked him for the ride and walked into the building. He watched her disappear through the door and finally exhaled. "Kal... what are going to do with ourselves?" He looked in the rear-view mirror and saw the big bear staring at the door Sy had just walked through with a soft whine. He scratched Kal's head, "same here, bud... same here. Let's hit the weights and get our minds off that pretty lady for a little bit."

They walked over to the gym and it was virtually empty. Kal made himself comfortable in the corner where he could still keep one eye on Henry as he began to run on the treadmill. Henry went on autopilot and got lost in his workout, but as hard as tried, he could not shake Sy out of his head. Over an hour had passed quickly and as he was finishing a set, he heard a cat-call whistle and looked up into the mirror and saw Amy with a huge smile on her face.

"Hey handsome..." she walked up to Henry and gave him a quick hug "I just met Syden. She's lovely." With a smirk, "You're in big trouble, aren't you?"

Henry couldn't hide anything from Amy, as hard as he tried, there was no way he could lie to her. "How do you know? Did she say something to you?"

"Henry... she hasn't said anything to me, but this is also the first time I've met the lady. I just spent the last hour with her and I'm pretty sure I'm already in love. She's everything I want you to date... What's taking you so long to make a move, bud?"

It felt good to be able to talk to someone close to the situation about Syden. Henry could talk to his family about it, but they wouldn't understand the ramifications of his actions if she didn't feel the same way that he did... and what happens if she feels the same way? "Aims, I have no idea what to do... I'm definitely smitten." He told her about their last few days together and about what happened with Tim that morning. "Every minute I spend with her is a mix of torture and complete bliss. What do I do?!" His face in his hands, shoulders slumped.

"Oh Henry..." Amy sat on the bench next to him, softly rubbed his back. "We'll figure this out together..." Amy looked up in the mirror, "but you have to get your act together now. She's walking in."