Page 117

“I’m glad everything’s okay with the bar.”

He kissed my forehead as I traced the unmarked spot right above his heart I’d just now picked for his Angel Baby tattoo. “Me, too, sweet boy. Me, too.”

Chapter forty-one

Henry

Mid-July

Pride in the Mix was starting in just a few minutes, and I couldn’t believe we’d pulled it off. Well, Tris had pulled it off.

Janice, Rita, and an older man named Maxwell—along with a handful of their fellow residents at Lakeside—had shown up a few minutes ago to help as promised. Maxwell’s grip was strong when he shook my hand in introduction, then the ladies each gave me a warm, motherly hug. The backs of my eyes burned at their easy acceptance. My own mother had never been that affectionate.

After they’d walked off to help Natasha with setup, Tris called them the “Troublemaker Trio” under his breath, a heavy dose of affection on his face.

It definitely fit.

The trio was seated behind our booth—which was in front of Mix It Up—at a table set up for the residents of Lakeside to work on last-minute supplies needed for the event. As Tris flitted between them to give direction and make sure they had everything they needed, I fell in love with him a little more. Did his friends know what a big heart my boyfriend had?

Tristan smiled over at me sweetly just as the first event attendees walked up to our table seeking libations. From there, the day passed quickly in a blur of activity. The older folks said their goodbyes around one o’clock after grabbing some lunch at the collection of food trucks that they themselves had called and confirmed for the event.

I waved as they climbed onto the assisted living facility’s bus, gratitude warming my heart at their kindness. They were the absolute sweetest.

Our friends from the DASC stopped by for twenty minutes or so just before two pm to show their support with the promise to see us tonight. Tristan had planned a birthday party for me at the bar so everyone could attend, even Jack and Julian. I was so goddamn lucky.

“Hey, Daddy,” Tris said, sidling up next to me during a rare lull in foot traffic.

I turned to him with a soft smile, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. “Hey, sweet boy. Having fun?”

He nodded excitedly. “Yes! There are so many great vendors here. I’m proud of you for setting this up, Henry. I’m just glad I could help make it happen.”

I leaned in for a kiss on the lips this time, hoping it conveyed just a little of my gratitude. I’d have to communicate the rest tonight, in our bed.

Our bed. Huh. I wondered when I’d started thinking of it like that. Maybe when he basically moved everything in but his furniture.

I wasn’t complaining—I wanted him in my place all the time. I wanted it to be his home, too.

I made a mental note to ask him to move in soon as I replied, “Seriously, thank you so much for all your help, baby. This event would never have happened if it wasn’t for you. You did something incredible here, and I’m so honored to be your boyfriend and your Daddy.”

Tristan’s smile lit up my world just as a throat cleared next to us. We turned together to see an odd-looking Jason Elkins. His eyes were downcast, his shoulders were slumped, and his face was contorted into a frown. He almost looked . . . ashamed?

“Jason,” Tris gritted out from beside me, his body tensing. I reached for his hand and held it, anger coursing through me despite our visitor’s seemingly contrite demeanor. I didn’t trust it.

I growled out a “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”

Jason’s eyes flickered to mine, and I swore I almost saw sorrow in them before he looked back down at the table. What the fuck was going on?

I was seething at his presence, unwilling to give him the benefit of the doubt or an ounce of compassion. This man had shut my bar—my livelihood—down. He didn’t get a pass for that.

“Listen, I’m sorry for just showing up, but I couldn’t come inside the bar, and I didn’t know how else to reach you. So when I saw this event, I wanted to stop by to explain—”

“We don’t need your fucking explanation,” Tris spat, voice low so he didn’t disturb anyone close by. “You did a horrible thing, Jason, and it was all just for petty revenge. That’s fucking low.”

Jason’s eyes showed the first signs of life as his brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

I replied without thinking. “Don’t fuck with us, Jason. You shut down Mix It Up with bogus health violations. Don’t deny it now.”

The man’s shoulders drooped, and he sighed. “I’m sorry your bar got shut down, Henry. But I didn’t call any inspector. I didn’t even know you were closed.”