Page 64 of Happy Endings

“We’re not dating. It’s just, um, friends with benefits.”

“Wait, you’re friends now? Are you cool with that arrangement? I know you dig relationships.” Xavier shuddered at the word. “But if it’s what you really want from her, I got your back.”

“There’s more.” Andre sat on the side of his desk, ignoring the papers he displaced. “I want her as my girlfriend. The more time we spend together, the more she’ll warm up to me. I told her why I never called after I left New Orleans.”

“You did? I’m proud of you, man.”

“I told her everything—about Mama getting sick. Finding out about my dad.”

“No shit! Look at you, Mr. Communication.” Xavier grabbed a handful of mints off Andre’s desk. He threw them in the air and tried to catch them in his mouth, failing spectacularly.

“I wasn’t going to, but after we talked about my mom, it came out. Then she kissed me. And well.” Andre shrugged. “We didn’t talk much after that.”

“You dog!” Xavier punched him in the shoulder. “Dry spell for two years and now you’re getting more action than me!”

“Watch it,” Andre growled. “You’re talking about my girlfriend. And clean those up.” He pointed to the mints littering the rug.

“She ain’t your girlfriend yet. Y’all are still friends with benefits.” Xavier ignored the discarded ones and reached for the bowl.

Andre snagged it first and pushed it out of reach. “Why are you here so early?”

“I took today off. Luis is teaching me how to make Miss Hazel’s roux. Maybe we could grab some lunch before my lesson.”

“Nope, you need to leave.” Andre pointed at his office door. “Trixie will be here soon.”

“Easy there, stud. I won’t stand in the way of beneficial rewards. At least not my best friend’s.”

“I’m going to win her back,” Andre said too emphatically. Was he trying to convince his best friend or himself?

“You never do things halfway. Look, don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Or make promises you can’t keep. You did her wrong and she has every right to keep things casual. Take it slow and give her time to trust you again. Just don’t get your heart broken, bro.” Xavier stood up and mock saluted Andre. “I’ll wait for Luis in the kitchen.”

Xavier was right. Of course, Andre cared about Trixie and their relationship. What was the point if he didn’t put his whole heart into the important people and things in his life? The only reason Mama Hazel’s was still here was because he cared. Cared about his mother’s legacy. Cared about Keisha. Not to mention Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Luis, and everyone else who came to their Monday-night dinners.

He still cared about Trixie. The more time they spent together, the sooner she’d realize how much she meant to him.

He’d invite her to family dinner and truly let her into his life this time.

Chapter 25

The back door to Mama Hazel’s flew open.

“I’m meeting with a—” Trixie’s words were cut short when Andre pulled her into the doorway for a deep kiss. Her toes curled and heat flooded her body.

“Hello,” she whispered when they finally came up for air.

“I’ve missed you.” Andre leaned against the doorframe, looking sexy as hell in another pair of ass-hugging jeans and a forest green Henley. If this were a movie, his teeth would sparkle. “Five days is five days too many without kissing you.”

His kiss had awakened all the other parts that ached for his lips.

“I’ve missed you, too. But we don’t have time for a quickie.” She grabbed his hand. “Lock up, and I’ll explain on the way.”

“Not even a super-quick quickie?” He raised their linked hands and kissed the soft skin below her knuckles, sending tingles up her arm.

“As tempting as that sounds, I can’t.” She laughed at his puppy dog eyes. “I have an appointment in fifteen minutes, and it’s a ten-minute walk. So, no.”

His face fell. Did she give him the impression this was a visit for sex? She felt a little guilty. Her texts had been vague.

“Maybe later?”

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