I hadn’t planned this conversation as much as I would’ve liked, but I had started down the road. Blowing out a breath, I angled myself so I could see Henry’s face. “Is tomorrow a date?”
Henry’s eyebrows went up for a moment and then he smiled. “If you’d like it to be, it is.”
Normally I didn’t have all the power. In fact, this was a first for me. Thankfully, this was an easy choice. “I do. I mean, if that’s what you want.”
“Then it’s a date.” Henry looped his pinky around mine and squeezed for a second before letting it go. “What prompted that question?”
Insecurities and low self-image, but I knew better than to tell him the truth. I also didn’t want to lie. “I didn’t want it to get awkward if I asked in the car.”
“Were you worried I’d leave you there or something?”
Being left was the least of my concerns. Spontaneously combusting from embarrassment was more likely. “Orsomething. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. It’s a bit of a drive.”
“It is. Now I have a question.”
Before he could ask, the barista was ready for us. I ordered coffee for myself and read off Brenda’s double mocha with two pumps of syrup, an extra shot of espresso, skim milk extra hot. When I finished, I realized I hadn’t even thought about her while we were in line.
I searched the café and found her studying us. “Shit.” Conjuring a fake smile, I waved.
“Something wrong?” Henry asked.
Was there? So what if she watched us. We didn’t do anything wrong. “Brenda.” I nodded toward the table.
“Gotcha.” Henry took a step away as we waited for our drinks. “Sorry.”
The distance between us was exactly why I should’ve told her to kiss off. I didn’t need any more obstacles in my dating life. Moving closer, I shrugged. “For what? She’s here because she knows I like you.”
“Well then.” He smiled widely and pressed himself against me.
It was ridiculous the things Henry did to me. I felt my cheeks heat, but I didn’t move. Why should I? I wasn’t doing anything wrong. “You were going to ask me something.”
“Changing the topic much?”
Rather than let him push this back on me, I went on offense. “Says the man who started to ask a question yet hasn’t.” I stared at Henry. Fuck he was hot!
“Fair point.” Our drinks arrived before Henry answered me.
I took mine and Brenda’s. “Let me give her this and get her to leave. Then you can ask me whatever you want.”
“Anything?” Henry took a sip, but it didn’t hide his smirk.
I laughed. “Sure, but depending on the question, you might need to wait to get an answer.”
Henry
It had taken a few strong hints from Nick to get Brenda to leave, but she left a minute after we returned. We were finally alone. Or as alone as two people could be in a busy coffee shop.
Nick didn’t completely relax once she was gone, but he seemed less tense. “I wasn’t sure she was going to leave. She’s… protective of you.”
“I love her, but….” Nick shrugged. “She’s really nosey where my personal life’s concerned.”
Brenda was a bit much, but I couldn’t tell him what I really thought. “I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.”
“Mostly it’s fine, but when she does things like this, it gets to be a bit much.”
“I get it. You love her, but sometimes you wish she’d back off.”
“Exactly.” Nick cocked his head to the right. “I keep hearing a whiff of an accent, but I can’t place it.”
