Chapter Three #5
“Of course,” Henry joked back. “Let’s go find a couch.
” They walked toward the back of the space, passing the bedding department, to find the couches and chairs.
Henry was instantly more serious. He quickly dismissed several choices, narrowing in on the vision in his head.
Next, he felt the fabric, checked color options, and made price comparisons.
Once he’d gone through the entire section, he turned to Jackson.
“Now, I’m thinking of either the blue couch or the maroon one.
They both come in the color I want.” The blue couch was full-length fabric with plush cushions, and the maroon was a soft leather love seat.
Jackson looked between the two. He walked over to the love seat then pulled Henry down with him. He put his arm around the man’s shoulders and tipped his head back. “I like this one.”
Henry snuggled closer. “Yeah, this one is really comfortable. I think the recliner in the corner would go perfect with this, as long as it comes in the right color.” Henry stood then pulled Jackson up as well.
They made their way to the recliner, where Henry pushed him into the seat.
He shifted around, rocked a few times, then popped the reclining lever.
“I like it. Definitely enough room for you in my lap.”
Heat spread through Henry, and he smiled with a raised eyebrow. “Now I’m kind of sad we can’t take it home tonight.”
Jackson laughed as he stood. “What else do we need?”
“A coffee table, end tables, and an electric fireplace,” he answered. Henry took Jackson’s hand, pulling him along to the next section. “Okay, what do you like?”
Jackson leaned closer to whisper in his ear. “You.” Henry couldn’t stop the secret smile, and for some reason, his cheeks slightly heated. “Pick whatever you think is best. I trust you.” Henry’s smile grew. “Then I’m taking you to dinner.”
Henry turned his attention to the tables.
After a few minutes, he came across a geometric octavin table that was solid mango with a walnut finish.
It was the same color he’d told Justin to use.
Next to it, was a set of hexagonal wooden open storage end tables that complemented the coffee table.
“These are the ones I would recommend,” he told Jackson.
“Then that’s what we’re getting,” the man replied.
Henry smiled broadly. “Let me grab Marco.” He went over to the counter. “We’re ready,” he told the man.
“Awesome. Let’s get you guys going.”
As he and Marco made their way to Jackson, they passed through the lighting section.
Henry stopped. “I want to add this lamp.” It was a sixty-three-inch-high rectangular floor lamp that sat atop three open shelves.
He checked the tag for color options and found that it did indeed come in one he wanted.
Marco made a note of it on his clipboard.
“Hello again, sir,” Marco said to Jackson when they reached him. “I’m glad you were able to find everything you needed.”
Jackson smiled. “Well, you were right. Henry is the best.”
Marco chuckled, but Henry felt the warmth in his cheeks and knew he was blushing.
He shook his head and got back to work. “We’re going to take the Williamsburg love seat, and the Micro fawn recliner, both in Orion Gray.
Also, the Privilege coffee table, and two of the Knobson end tables, all in Walnut. ”
“Anything else?” Marco asked. Henry shook his head. “This is going to look amazing. Let’s head up to the front to get this finalized.” The paperwork and payments were quickly and easily taken care of, then Marco was shaking their hands. “We’ll have everything delivered on Friday at three.”
Jackson took Henry’s hand as they went out to their vehicle. “How do you feel about Angelo’s?” he asked as Henry started the engine.
“I love Angelo’s.” Henry drove in the direction of the restaurant. “They have, hands down, the best veal piccata.”
“Piccata is my favorite too, except I get the chicken.”
Henry pulled into Angelo’s parking lot. They both got out and went inside. They followed the hostess to a small table on the right side of the restaurant. “Your waiter will be right with you,” she said, leaving them alone.
“Since we don’t need to look at the menu, tell me about these jobs you need help with,” Jackson told him.
“I have furniture being delivered to two houses, and a final setup for both.” Wait, Jackson said he’s in physical therapy. Is moving furniture something he can even do?
The concern must have been showing on his face because Jackson covered his hand and answered the unspoken question. “Relax. As long as nothing is over two hundred pounds, we’re good.”
“No.” Henry shook his head. “Nothing that heavy.”
“Good evening, gentlemen.” A young dark-haired man came over to their table. “My name is Jimmy, how are we doing tonight?”
“We’re great,” Henry answered, still grinning due to the fact that Jackson was holding his hand.
“Can I start you off with some drinks and appetizers?”
“Water with lemon,” Henry ordered.
“I’ll have sweet tea,” Jackson told Jimmy. “And an order of mozzarella sticks.”
“Perfect.” Jimmy smiled as he wrote on his order pad. “And are you ready to order as well, or did you need more time?”
“I’ll take chicken piccata, and he’ll take the veal piccata,” Jackson replied.
“Very good, sir. I’ll be right back with that.” Jimmy turned, walking toward the back.
A noise from the table next to them drew Henry’s attention. The young woman of the couple giggled while she ran her un-shoed foot up her date’s leg.
“I’ll have what she’s having,” Jackson whispered with a chuckle.
“I can make that happen.” Henry raised an eyebrow. “But I’m not calling you Harry or Sally.”
“I did not expect you to get a reference from When Harry Met Sally.” Jackson sounded surprised.
Henry shrugged with a smile. “I’m kind of an eighties movie junkie,” he admitted.
“Wow, so am I.” Jackson’s eyes lit up with excitement. “A lot of people I know think they’re cheesy.”
“Tell me about it.” Henry laughed. “What’s your favorite?”
“Big Trouble in Little China. I kind of have a thing for Kurt Russell.”
“I completely understand. Kurt Russell in the eighties was hot as shit.”
Jimmy arrived at their table, setting drinks and appetizers in front of them. “Thank you,” Jackson told the man, who smiled and retreated.
“What was it about Big Trouble that makes it your favorite?” Henry asked.
“Jack Burton has gotten me through some pretty rough times. He gives some pretty sage advice. My favorite, and I quote, ‘Just remember what ol’ Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol’ storm right square in the eye, and he says, “Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.” Jackson smiled and shook his head.
“When things would get hairy in combat, I would hear Jack’s voice in my head, and it would kick my ass into gear.
” He dipped a cheese stick in marinara then took a bite.
“When I was younger, I thought it was pretty awesome that we had the same name.”
“I wondered if that was part of it.” Henry laughed.
“How about you? What’s your favorite movie?” Jackson asked.
“The Breakfast Club.”
Jackson chuckled. “Bender or Andy?” Henry laughed then shook his head at the question. “Come on, the bad boy or the jock?”
“What makes you think I wouldn’t choose Brian?”
“Brian? Really?” Jackson made a face and shook his head. “The boy next door doesn’t seem like your type.”
“I don’t know about that.” Henry turned his tone to something sultrier. “I really, really like the guy that lives next door.”
“Here we go, gentlemen.” Jimmy appeared, setting their food in front of them. “Parmesan?” the waiter offered, shredding it over their plates when they both agreed. “Anything else for you?”
“This looks great, Jimmy, thank you,” Henry replied. Jimmy nodded then left them alone again. They both dug in. “Who do you think I would have picked?”
Jackson stared at him intently, scrutinizing him closely. His eyes seemed to pierce his soul. “I’m going to have to say Andy.”
“And how did you come to that conclusion?”
Jackson shrugged. “Even though you hate rules, I don’t see you dating anyone who might break the law.”
“Nope, not me.” Henry batted his eyes, trying to look as innocent as possible. “I’m squeaky clean.” He winked. “In that department at least.” Henry had kicked out of one shoe, and he ran his sock-covered foot up Jackson’s shin.
“I was right.” Jackson shook his head. “You are a brat.”
“Maybe.” Henry batted his eyes.
Jackson chuckled then took a couple bites of chicken. “Was I right about Andy?”
“Yes,” Henry confirmed then made his voice as seductive as possible. “But imagining myself as Claire in that closet with Bender got me through a lot of my teenage years.” He winked. “If you know what I mean.”
Jackson shook his head with a smile. “And you’re a tease on top of it.” He twirled some pasta onto his fork.
Henry, who had already eaten his fill, pushed his plate to the side then leaned forward. “I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way.” He quoted a line from Who Framed Roger Rabbit causing Jackson to chuckle.
“Ready to get out of here?” he asked, signaling to their waiter when Henry nodded.
Jackson kept his hand on Henry’s thigh while playing a game of guess the movie quote, the whole way home. Henry pulled into his driveway, got out, then walked around to Jackson’s side.
“Do you want to walk Angel with me? I’m sure she won’t mind.” Henry chuckled.
Jackson chuckled as well. “Yeah, I’d love to see Angel.”