Page 62 of Mr. Broody

“Ugh! I hate her for you,” she says. “Seriously, that makes me so mad. You should see the women who hit on Rowan when I’m standing right next to him. Makes me want to scream and say he’s mine.”

“Oh, well, Henry isn’t mine.” Although I do remember a time very similar to what Kyleigh’s talking about, when girls in college would try to steal him away from me.

“You’re kidding, right?” She dips her head to look me in the eye, her dark hair falling on either side of her face. “He’s yours. In all the ways that matter.”

My heart skips a beat at the truth I hear in her words.

I want to ask her a billion questions. Has he dated? Has he ever seemed happy with someone else? “How long have you been with Rowan?”

“Only a few months.” She glances over her shoulder, and it’s as if Rowan knows it because he turns away from his teammates and grins when he sees Kyleigh looking at him. “But it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It’s so weird honestly.”

“Why is it weird?” I ask, dropping the confetti on the table.

“That I’m with him. That we’re a couple. That it all worked out.” She shrugs.

I’m not sure what she means about the working out part, but I focus on the happiness that radiates out of her. It certainly did work out for them.

Henry walks in with Bodhi, and our eyes catch. As if Henry sought me out and that pull to each other is still so strong. Could we ever work out?

“Anyway.” Kyleigh stands. “Let’s get out of here. Boys, get the presents.”

Surprisingly, they all stand and head to the present table, doing as asked. Mack’s already done most of the clean-up, and Henry talks to another man who I assume is in charge of the facility, handing his credit card over to him.

“Hopefully, there’s still some available credit.” Henry sends a pointed look in Mack’s direction, and he only laughs.

“You forget that I know how much you make,” Mack says and helps the staff finish cleaning up.

Bodhi appears at my side. “Did you have fun, Miss Jade?”

“I did. How about you? Did you have a good birthday?” I ask, bending down so we’re eye to eye.

“It was the best!” He looks over his shoulder. “Now I get to open my presents.”

His smile lights up his face. Oh, to be a kid again.

“Go get your coat, Bodhi,” Henry says, placing his hand on his shoulder.

“Be right back.” He runs around Henry toward the hooks.

“So, Conor ordered some food, and we’re going to go back to my place to watch Bodhi open his presents. Did you want to join us?”

I do, even if it’s to just spend a little more time with him, but is it a really good idea?

“I was hoping I could talk to you.” Henry looks behind him. “Not around everyone, but I’m sure Bodhi is going to crash. If not, I’m sure one of the guys or Kyleigh will watch him for a bit.”

I bite my lip and nod.

“Great. Let me grab your stuff.” He heads over to the hooks and almost runs into Bodhi as he makes his way back over to me.

“Kyleigh said you’re coming over!” Bodhi’s hand slides into mine.

“She did, did she?” I ask, realizing we have some meddlers.

His small hand is warm and squeezes my hand tightly.

“We’ll see you there!” Rowan waves, leaving me with Henry, Mack, and Bodhi.

Henry walks over with my coat and purse, his eyes zeroing in on Bodhi’s hand in mine. His Adam’s apple bobs. He’s not smiling but not frowning either when our eyes meet, and he hands me my coat. “Let’s get going.”

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