crack, and I think Henry knows this. I wasn’t even joking about my dream to own something like this one day.
“What do you want?”
“Whatever you’re having. Now that I know you don’t take your dates here; I know anything you order will be amazing.” I grin cheekily up at him, rocking back on my heels. He mutters something under his breath as he stalks off in the direction of the stand to order our dinner. “You’re cute when you’re trying to impress me.”
He flips me off from behind, and I laugh under my breath. Riling Henry up is simply too much fun. I spin around just in time to catch a couple finishing up at one of the smaller picnic tables and make a beeline for it, snagging it before someone else has the chance.
I sit down, lowering my shades as the last remnants of daylight flitter across the summer sky, heading for the Pacific not too far in the distance. I slip out my phone, not surprised to find it full of messages and missed calls from Chad.
Henry can play it all he wants, but I know exactly who he is, and I’m not worried about him.
I frown at that. Because yes, Chad knows who Henry is because Chad knows all about my brother. And no, Chad shouldn’t be worried about Henry because nothing will ever happen with Henry. But Chad doesn’t know I spent my youth rocking a schoolgirl crush on Henry with the dedication of a doctoral student about to present their dissertation.
I miss you.
I love you.
I didn’t mean to cheat on you. I’d never do that. Ever. You’re the only woman I want. Forever.
Don’t fall for someone else.
I swear, you’re who I want.
I almost snort aloud at that last one. Because both he and I know that’s not true. Because if it were… things might be different. Maybe. Honestly, at this point, I don’t know anymore. How can you go from thinking you’re so in love with someone to questioning everything within a couple of months? I don’t… miss him the way I thought I would.
The way I felt I should.
Maybe it’s my anger and resentment that’s clouding things where he’s concerned.
I was devastated when I walked into that room and found Marni on her knees and heard Chad’s groans of pleasure. I was wrecked when I discovered my friend betrayed me and my boyfriend broke my heart. I cried like I’ve never cried before. Dodged him until the day I moved and then ever since. Every attempt he made to reach me, I thwarted.
But in leaving Chad, I feel like I finally realize and appreciate who I am. And I like this version so much better than the lost girl I was when I was with him.
Five minutes later Henry drops down holding two huge white to-go boxes and two black plastic cups with lids and straws. “What are those?”
“Margaritas.”
“They have margaritas here?” I practically scream. “Holy Toledo, you just became my hero.” I bark out a laugh. “Ha, that rhymes.”
I grab one of the plastic cups and take a long pull as I open the white box Henry slides to me, practically orgasming from the smell. I lift the first taco and go in for the kill. Crunchy, spicy perfection hits my tongue in an explosion of heat and flavor only to be quickly cooled by the sour cream and the guacamole, and yes, orgasm. Right here.
“God, that’s so good my toes are curling.” I wipe my mouth on my napkin only to find Henry watching me. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Okay. Nothing. That’s why you’re staring at me like…” I tilt my head, trying to bait him because I honestly don’t know what he’s staring at me like. The man can be an unreadable fortress when he wants. At least with me. He’s typically not this surly with the guys. And never ever with their better halves. Especially Maia. The two of them are thick as thieves.
He rubs absently at the tiny hint of a smirk on his lips and then goes about digging into his own food. “I believe you owe me an explanation,” he announces as he swallows down his food with a sip of his margarita.
Ugh. I was hoping he’d have forgotten by now.
“Why do you care?”
“Because if there’s a quarterback out there in need of castration, I’d like to know about it before we leave for Hawaii and I lose precious time.”
“You sound like Keith.”
“That’s sorta the point.”
“I don’t like it when you