He might have thought something along those lines, but hearing Dom say it out loudhurt.“I see. Right... um... I guess I’ll just...” He started to back away, face flushed with embarrassment and his heart somewhere near his boots.
“Wait.” Dom’s hand shot out to grab his arm before he could get far. “I wasn’t finished.”
Oh great, there’s more.
Henry mentally steeled himself for whatever else Dom had to say.
“It wasn’t you.” Dom paused, and Henry rolled his eyes.Oh, how original.“Well, no, I guess it was. But—”
He couldn’t help it, he laughed. All pitchy and slightly manic. Because, really? “I’m going to find my sister.” He tried for the second time to march off with the shreds of his dignity, but again Dom stopped him.
“I’m sorry I’m not explaining this well, but it’s been a long two days and I’m really fucking tired.” He ran a hand over his face, and Henry took a good long look at him. Only then did he notice the shadows under his eyes and the tight set to his shoulders.
“Is this a café?” Henry gestured at the building behind them. “Would you... um... like to get a coffee with me?” The wind chose that moment to make itself known and Henry shivered.
Dom smiled for the first time since Henry had run into him, and it felt like the sun coming out. “Yeah, okay. I think we could both do with one.”
Henry didn’t have a clue where this conversation was headed, but talking had to be good, right?
He let Dom lead the way and followed him inside.
Chapter 10
Dom smiled in greeting at Lucy standing behind the counter.
Turning to Henry, he asked, “What would you like to drink?”
“Er... just a regular coffee’s fine, thanks.”
Walking to the edge of the counter, Dom said, “Two flat whites when you’ve got a minute, Luce.” She gave him a thumbs up and went back to serving the couple at the till.
The café was packed, so Dom steered Henry to the back where there was a small table reserved for staff. It was a little out of the way and afforded them a modicum of privacy.
This wasn’t where he thought they’d have this conversation, but if they didn’t clear things up between them now, Dom didn’t think they ever would.
No sooner had they sat down than their coffees appeared.
“Christ, that was fast.” Henry took his coffee, thanking Lucy for bringing it over.
“It’s who you know.” Dom wrapped his fingers around his mug and inhaled the steam. “I needed this.” The warmth of the café seeped into him, and he yawned, jaw cracking.
“Why are you so tired? And why are you here?” Henry fiddled with the handle of his mug before looking up to meet Dom’s gaze. “I don’t understand.”
Dom sighed and took a quick sip of his drink. He needed a shot of caffeine before tackling this. “My aunt and uncle own this place.” He gestured around them.
Henry’s eyes widened. “Green fingers run in the family, then.”
“Something like that.” He took another sip of coffee before setting his mug on the table. “My uncle Mark broke his leg on Wednesday. He had an operation yesterday to fix it, so he’ll be out of action for the foreseeable future. My aunt’s been back and forth from the hospital, so she’s hardly been here either. My mum asked me to come help out in the run up to Christmas.”
“Oh.” Henry seemed to shrink into his seat. “I’m sorry about your uncle.”
“Thanks. He’s going to be fine. Eventually.” Dom waited until Henry was looking at him again before continuing. “I left Thursday evening to come straight here, and I’ve been run off my feet ever since. That’s why I haven’t replied to your message yet.”
Henry bit his lip, eyes back on his mug. “Fuck. I’m sorry for getting so dramatic over everything. I feel like such a dick.”
“Hey.” Dom reached across the table and grasped Henry’s hand. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have left you wondering where we stood with each other.”
“What you said,” Henry began, fingers tight around Dom’s. “About it being my fault. What did you mean?”
