Page 40 of Love Like Lightning

“Yeah, yeah, remember that when you’re dialing my number after this interaction.”

I blow a raspberry loud enough for her to hear it before ending the call. Stepping back up to the door, I flip the deadbolt and yank it open before I can talk myself out of it. Henry has his fist raised to knock again.

“Hey,” I greet him, trying to slow the beating of my heart to something less likely to throw me into a cardiac arrest.

“Hey.” Smiling, he lifts the two paper bags in offering. “I thought I’d bring dinner. Have you tried the Greek place off Main Street?”

“I…haven’t. Listen, I actually thought we should talk.” I hesitate to invite him in, not because I don’t trust myself.

Okay, maybe I don’t trust myself. But only a little. And only because he’s shown up wearing a thick flannel that hugs his chest and arms in a way that is truly not safe for work.

“Chat over spanakopita?” He unleashes that charming smile of his, and I know there’s no way we can have this conversation standing at the door.

That, and who am I to turn down spanakopita?

“Yeah, sure. Come on in.”

A swift breeze follows him in, chilling me to my core. The temperature change is a nice reprieve from the heat that washes over me every time I’m in his presence.

“You can put everything on that table over there.” I shut the door and point at the small round table in the corner. He unpacks the bags of food, and I drag over two chairs, so we have somewhere to sit.

Looking satisfied, Henry sits and gets comfortable before popping open lids and grabbing plasticware.

“Listen, before we eat, I wanted to let you know that I’m not really up for any more hookups or anything. I’m sorry if last night may have led you to believe that it might turn into a regular thing, but it’s not, and I don’t want you to think—” I’m babbling, and I finally take a breath when he interrupts me.

“Whoa, hey. Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong? Are you okay?” He stands and comes around to stand in front of me, hands hovering as if he wants to check my body for injuries.

“No, oh my God, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” A deep V that appears between his brows, and his lips turn down into a frown.

“Yeah, I just—it’s not—I’m not looking to hook up while I’m here working. Last night, while honestly wonderful, I promise, wasn’t my best choice. I appreciate how nice you’ve been, and again, I’d be lying if I said the orgasms weren’t also much appreciated, but I don’t think we should continue on.” I almost stop there, but I don’t want to mince my words. “I’m a relationship girl. Always have been, always will be at my core. It’s obvious that’s not you. You’re not a relationship kind of guy, and that’s okay. I’m not judging either way. It takes all kinds to make the world go round, right? But it’s just not what I’m looking for.”

“Oh, okay, no worries. That’s totally fine, Gia. I understand.” His face falls, and the sight of it is like a punch in the gut. “Did you still want to have dinner?”

The question almost stuns me. I guess I didn’t see him being a dick about this. But the fact that he still wants to share a meal with me is almost too nice.

Something that I’m beginning to understand Henry might not be capable of being anything but charming and kind.

I almost wish he had some dark secret that would cure me of this inconvenient crush.

But he doesn't, at least not to my knowledge.

I'm the one with the secret.

16

Henry

After my impromptu Greek dinner with Gia, I’m left feeling a little deflated. We ate pretty quickly. The conversation was fine, nice really. The whole thing was nice.

But I can’t help but think that I did something to make her not want to continue what we started last night. Either way, by the time the food was gone, I knew I was wearing out my welcome. Now, back at my apartment, I have a hot cup of tea and an episode of Best Chef queued up to watch.

I’m catching up on an old season. I haven’t been able to watch all of my cooking competition shows as much as I’d like with how busy I am.

I’m about to hit play, when I hear a knock at the door. I drop the remote on the couch and walk over to the door. It can’t be Ian; I talked to him earlier, and he doesn’t have any plans to come home for a bit.

Swinging the door open, I see my older sister, Mackenzie.

---