Page 81 of Mr. Broody

“Yeah. I mean, I haven’t had it for a long time, but yeah…” I’m not surprised he remembers, that’s Henry, but it’s a really nice feeling that he thought of me.

“And I got you mozz sticks and a salad.” He signals with his hand to the table. “Just wait until dessert.” He walks behind me and slides out my chair.

I sit, and he tucks the chair in before folding himself into his chair across from me. “This is all very thoughtful.”

“Don’t thank me. It’s my form of bribery. Making you love this city again.” He opens his box, and it’s comforting to know he probably has the same pizza he always does—pepperoni. If only I could see under the tomato and cheese to know for certain.

“I already told you I’m staying.” I’m still surprised by the decision I made, but I know it’s the right decision.

“I know, but I want to remind you of everything you love here.”

I laugh and open my box, inhaling the smell of the pizza twice and closing my eyes to always remember this exact moment. “I love the food in Chicago, but I’m not staying here for the cuisine, Henry.”

“You know I want to ask what you are staying for.” He waits to eat his pizza until I do. Something Reed’s always been big on.

“My mom, Reed, my brothers, Eloise…”

He smirks.

“I mean, Bodhi obviously,” I say, making him sweat.

“And?” He arches an eyebrow.

“I never thought you were insecure.”

“When it comes to you, I am. Right now, I am.”

“And you, Henry. I want to stay here because of you.”

He scoots out his chair and leans over the table, pressing his lips to mine in a chaste kiss that I wish he’d deepen. But he sits down way too quickly for me.

He must see something on my face because he says, “I have to sit, otherwise I’m going to take you to the bed I promised myself we won’t be using tonight.”

“That’s a disappointment.” I frown, picking up a piece of pizza.

“That’s one area where we never miss. I really want to spend tonight finding out who the new Jade is.” He finally bites down on his pizza.

I’m not sure I’ve changed. Everything that’s important, Henry knows. He’s the one who has become a father and changed his entire life, but even with that, I feel as if I still know him.

We eat and talk about his traveling season and how hard it is for him with Bodhi. How he feels like by the end of the season, he’s running on fumes.

“But I signed up for it, you know?” he says.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t complain about it.”

He shrugs and looks down at his pizza. He wants to say something but is scared.

“What is it?” I ask.

He pushes away his pizza box and grabs his beer. “I’m not looking for Bodhi’s mom.”

“Well, I hope not since we’re dating,” I say, and he tilts his head. Wrong time for humor, I guess.

“I mean, I don’t want you to feel like I’m looking to fill that role, but we are a package deal. If you want me, you have to want him too.”

I wipe my mouth and try to tamp down my anger at what he’s implying. “Do you think I don’t know that? I’m not venturing into this lightly.”

I push away from the table and walk over to the window, staring at the city I’ve always loved but for some reason felt I needed to stay away from for so long.

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