Tossing the empty cup in the trash, I sat up straighter. “Now?”
“If now isn’t good, I understand. Just thought I’d ask.”
My daily to do list had a few more tasks on it than I’d have liked, but I’d met my office goals for the week. “I can get away. Where are you?”
I didn’t care that it came out desperate. Henry wanted to see me.
Bringing Brenda wasn’t part of the deal, but she insisted. “For Auntie B to be able to give fully informed advice,” she’d said. Whatever, she wanted to check out Henry for herself. Telling her to keep away wasn’t an option when she decided on something.
The coffee shop wasn’t packed, but it was busy. I spotted Henry leaning against the wall, his jacket open and hands in his pockets. His gray suithugged his body perfectly, giving him a trim silhouette. The silver tie with blue stripes gave him a sleek, sophisticated look. Guys in suits didn’t usually excite me, but dressed for work Henry made me a believer. When he spotted me, he smiled and pushed away from the wall.
“Wow.” Brenda bumped her shoulder to mine. “You weren’t kidding. He’s really hot. Good on you, Nick.”
I wished I shared her confidence, but Henry’s expression did a lot to quell my doubts.
“Hi, Henry.” When I held out my hand, Henry went for a hug. Going with it, my last few reservations melted away.
“Hey Nick.” He let go but kept inside my personal space. “I wasn’t sure you’d be free, but I took a chance.”
Given I’d spent most of the day thinking about him instead of working, I should’ve said no. “I’m glad you did.” I motioned over my left shoulder. “Henry, this is my co-worker Brenda.”
“Hi,” she held out her hand. “Brenda Masterson.”
The happy smile disappeared from his face, but I couldn’t read what replaced it. Had I screwed up bringing Brenda? He didn’t seem angry, however, it was more like seeing her confused him. An instant later he switched back to cheerful.
“Henry Angelini. Nice to me you.” They shook. “I guess we all need an afternoon jolt.”
“Yes, but I really came to check you out.” She shrugged. “Why pretend. Nick’s my work husband. I need to make sure he’s okay.”
Henry laughed. “Work spouses? That’s really a thing?”
I glared at Brenda with enough irritation she should’ve burst into flames. “No, it isn’t.”
Ignoring me, she pointed to a small table with three chairs. “How about I go save the table.”
Nodding, I pulled out my phone to be sure I had her drink order from the last time I made a run. “Same as last time?”
“Please.” Brenda held out a twenty. “It’s my turn to buy.”
Henry waved down her money. “My treat. I invited you after all. Well, I asked Nick, but I’m glad to meet his work wife.”
We got in line without speaking. I wanted to say the perfect thing, but I sucked at this. Finally, I went with what I had. “Thanks for calling. It was a nice surprise.”
“Confession. My co-worker might have prodded me to call since I smiled so much talking about last night. Not that I didn’t want to call, I just wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”
Christ, the things Henry did to me with just a few words. “My reaction to your call is why Brenda tagged along. She wanted to see what brought out happy Nick.” I dropped my head. Could I be any more of a dork if I tried. “That’s not nearly as dirty as it sounds.”
Henry laughed, but somehow it didn’t make me feel stupid. “I get it. I went from work mode to silly happy. Sometimes it’s the little things that matter.”
I hoped his ‘thing’ wasn’t little. Thinking about us naked started to give me a boner, which proved I didn’t know how to act in public around a hot guy. No wonder I was still single. “I’mlooking forward to tomorrow. I did some checking. Frederick has some interesting things to visit.”
“It does.” Henry nodded. The line moved up, and Henry crept closer to me. “And the weather is supposed to be perfect for driving and walking around. Though it might rain in the evening.”
Our trip started as a chance for me to experience a Maserati on the open road. Somewhere in the hours since Henry offered, I ceased to care about the car. Spending time with Henry had become my focus. His hand brushed against mine, and the question of what we were doing wouldn’t stay buried.
“Can I ask a question?” I glanced sideways at Henry. “And please don’t say, I already did.”
“Yes, you can, and I promise I won’t.” He winked before bumping me gently.
