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Bracing his hands on the sink, he took in a deep breath and let it out, then he turned and opened the door to find Henri putting two full plates on the counter in front of the barstools.
As Bailey emerged and shut the door behind him, Henri straightened and pointed to the food.
“I thought you might be ready to eat something now. If you’re not, that’s okay—”
“I am,” Bailey said, grateful for something normal to talk about. But as he crossed over to the place he’d just had one of the most humiliating moments of his life in, he gestured to the plate and said, “But do you mind if we eat at the table or—”
“I have the perfect spot.” Henri quickly grabbed up the plates and forks, and then winked. “Follow me.”
Bailey was close to positive he would’ve followed Henri to the end of the earth right then. Henri brushed by him and headed toward a glass and steel staircase whose steps were the same colored hardwood as the loft’s floor.
Henri’s place was incredible, and though Bailey wished he were there under different circumstances, at least he was finally cognizant enough to appreciate it.
As they went up the first flight of steps and turned to go up the second, Bailey looked back down to the open living area.
There was one recliner and couch facing an empty bookcase that housed the TV. An industrial-looking stainless steel dining table fit in with the small but modern kitchen, and directly off to the right of the entrance was what looked to be an office area—maybe where Henri did some of his investigative work from.
The space fit him well, from the indestructible metal throughout the bones of the place, to the scuffed-up but sturdy hardwood floors that felt sure and steady beneath your feet.
Bailey imagined the loft to be just like the man who lived there. A little cool at first glance, until you delved deeper. But when you finally got to see the strength and resilience beyond the steel walls, the revelation was incredible.
“This work for you?”
Bailey turned in Henri’s direction. The second level of the loft was a long, narrow stretch of hardwood floor, with two doors to the bedrooms. But what had Bailey’s mouth falling open were the bifold doors that opened up to a private roof deck.
Bailey walked past Henri and toward the doors, and when he stopped at the center of them, he stared out at the Chicago skyline and took a deep, calming breath. The view was surprising, and spectacular, much like the man who lived there.
Henri walked by him, balancing the two plates in one hand, and flicked open the lock. Then, with a slight shove of his fingers, the doors slid back and folded up on themselves, opening the space up and letting in the cool morning air.
“Well, come on, then. These omelets aren’t gonna eat themselves.” Henri walked out on the deck and headed toward the far end, where he had a small outdoor patio set with a round fire pit at the center of it. The space was perfect, cozy, and Bailey could imagine sitting by it with Henri at night.
As Henri took a spot on the double-seater, Bailey went to move into one of the singles, but Henri cleared his throat and said, “Uh-ah, officer. Your spot’s over here.”
Still feeling a little raw, and somewhat exposed from his earlier breakdown, Bailey hesitated but then moved to sit next to Henri, and instantly relaxed.
Henri handed him one of the plates and a fork, and then settled back in the seat to cut into his food. Bailey wondered if Henri expected him to talk. But he merely nodded at the plate, and Bailey got the impression Henri was more concerned with him eating a meal than having a conversation. So, Bailey settled back beside him, piled his fork high, and dug in.
As the warm, fluffy eggs hit his taste buds, Bailey groaned almost as loud as his stomach did, and when he shut his eyes and swallowed the mouthful, his appetite kicked into high gear.
Like a starving man, he all but inhaled his meal and licked his plate clean after that, and once he was done and his hunger satisfied, Bailey glanced over his shoulder to find Henri watching him with half his omelet still on his plate.
“Good?” Henri asked, and when Bailey nodded, a smile slowly crossed Henri’s lips, which made all of the shit Bailey had gone through over the past twelve hours fade into the background. “Do you want more?”
Bailey eyed Henri’s plate. “Are you offering to give me the rest of your breakfast?”
“I’m offering you anything you need to get to the other side of this in one piece.”
Bailey’s stomach flipped at the sincerity of Henri’s words. But it was the look in his eyes that had Bailey’s heart close to bursting.
