Chapter 5
Nick
My phone buzzed on my desk and Henry’s name popped up in white letters big enough Brenda could see them.
“Oh my,” Brenda fanned her face with her hand. “It’s getting hot in here. I think I should step out.”
“Yes, do that.” She didn’t move, so I slid my thumb across the tab and connected the call. “Hey, Henry.”
“Hi, Nick.” The greeting was more enthusiastic than I expected. “I happened to be having lunch near your building and wondered if you were free to meet for coffee.”
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 suit hugged 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’m looking 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.
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. “Or something. 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.”