Page 61 of Secret Love

I’ll be there.

Henley

And Earl, of course.

Thank you for putting up with my kitty.

Henley

I’ll put up with your kitty any day, Tru.

I snort and glance around to see if anyone heard me, and of course, Mrs. Davenport is walking by at that exact moment. She looks at me with her usual pinched expression and I smile and wave. She just walks on like she can’t be bothered by this weirdo and I’m too happy to let it faze me. I’m going to dinner at Henley’s tonight and I can’t wait.

He opens the door and his mouth gapes. Exactly the reaction I was hoping for. I grin as his eyes wander down my body. My dress is an off-the-shoulder A-line dress with a flowy skirt that hits just above my knees, and it’s fire engine red. It shows off the little cleavage I have, and my shoulders and legs are showcased in their best light, if I do say so myself.

He takes my hand and kisses it before placing it on his chest where I can feel his heart galloping.

I smile and he does too.

“You look stunning,” he says.

He’s wearing a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans, and his feet are bare. His hair is damp on the ends and he smells divine.

“You do too,” I say.

He tugs me in and closes the door behind me. I lean against the door and he leans his hand on it as he comes within an inch of my face, his eyes on mine.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” He leans in and kisses me once. So soft and sweet.

He steps back and I want to pull him in again, run my fingers through his hair and kiss him until we’re both breathless.

But he takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen where I can tell he’s been working hard. There’s a pile of dishes in the sink, a massive wooden bowl of Caesar salad and bottles of alcohol on the island, with limes and lemon zest in pretty little glass bowls.

I inhale and sigh. “It smells so good in here.”

“I hope you meant it when you said you like spinach and mushroom lasagna. I made my mom’s recipe.”

My stomach does a little flip-flop. “You remember everything, don’t you? I think I said that during one of our first texts.”

“I remember everything about you.” He smirks.

“Are you trying to seduce me, Henley Ward?”

“Is it working?”

Now I’m the one smirking. “Spinach and mushroom lasagna sounds delicious.”

“Would you like a cocktail or wine?”

I point to the lemon vodka. “I can’t resist anything with lemon.”

“One lemon drop coming right up, tiny dancer.”

My heart cannot take all this swoonworthiness. Made-up word, but it’s entirely how I feel.

“Can I do anything to help?”

“You standing there looking the way you do in my kitchen isextremelyhelpful. Except you’re taking my breath away, so I suggest you keep a safe distance. I want to feed you, but these hands have a mind of their own.” He holds up his hands and waves his long, thick fingers.

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