Page 40 of When We Were More
“Uh oh. It looks like you stayed away too long, and your friends moved on. Also, is that your brother?”
I keep my focus on the group, as if I’m studying them.
“Matilda, look at me.” He waits until I do before continuing. “I’m not over there because I don’t want to be. I want to beover here. With you. I want to talk to you, not them. One of these days, when I think you’ll agree, we’re going to talk about why that’s hard for you to accept… And yes, that’s my brother, Harrison.”
He still has most of his drink left, and I’ve only drunk about half of mine. I fix my gaze on my glass as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
“I probably shouldn’t finish this if I want to be able to drive home. It is delicious, though.” It comes out slightly louder than a whisper.
Henry glances down at his watch, then looks back up at me.
“It’s only nine-fifteen. I’m guessing I know your answer, but my mom has the kids overnight, so I don’t have to be home right away. Do you want to have a drink together at one of our houses? Preferably yours since you have a kick-ass kitchen.”
I eye him for several seconds. On the one hand, he’s my friend. Mynewfriend, but still my friend. On the other hand, he’s insanely attractive, and I can’t deny there’s chemistry there. He waits patiently.
“You’re aware I’m not going to sleep with you, right? I’m pretty sure you could find that over there—” I gesture to the bachelor party with my head, “—if that’s what you’re looking for.”
He focuses his eyes on me, watching me, until I start to get uncomfortable with the silence.
“One, okay to no sex tonight, since that’s not why I was suggesting a drink. Two, once again, I don’t want that with those women. Three, I’d much rather spend my time hanging out with you than bar hopping for my second cousin’s bachelor party. Do you have any questions about that now?”
Tonight. He said, no sex ‘tonight.’ Should I correct him that it’s no sexever? No. I’m being awkward. I shake my head in answer to his question.
“Good gi—Good. Let me tell Harrison I’m heading out, and then I’ll walk you to your car.”
We both stand.
“Make sure you tell him we’re not having sex.” I’m teasing, but sort of not. It earns me one of the boyish grins I love and a deep chuckle. I like that. A lot.
“Will do, tiger. See you in a minute.”
I wait until he’s far enough away and grab my things. I can walk myself to the car. Right as I’m pulling out of the parking lot, a text comes through.
Henry: Don’t respond, since you’re driving. Because you didn’t wait for me… You make me crazy sometimes.
“Don’t worry, Henry. I know the feeling,” I mutter to myself.
CHAPTER 17
Henry
I wasn’t kidding when I told Matilda she drives me crazy. I didn’t tell her that it’s not solely because she’s stubborn as hell. It’s also because there’s something about the woman that stirs up desire in me. Desire I haven’t felt in a long time. But I won’t act on it. I like her, and I do want to be her friend. I’m not going to screw that up by trying to turn things physical. No matter how much her body and her sass turn me on.
She was right tonight. I don’t doubt that the women hanging around our group at the bachelor party would have been down for sex. They made that perfectly clear. But I couldn’t muster up any interest. It’s not my scene anymore. It’s also no secret that my family has money, thus the worry that someone is drawn to me because of that is often at the back of my mind. Looking back, I’m guessing that’s half the reason Jeana was attracted to me in the first place. At least I ended up with two amazing kids, whom I wouldn’t trade for the world. I also got a painful divorce.
When I spotted Matilda across the bar, my heart rate picked up. So did my mood. I watched her for a few minutes. The woman is beautiful. She also seems to be pretty damn smart…and independent. Which explains why I turned back to her table after telling Harrison I was heading out and found her gone.
As I stand on her porch and knock on her door, I fight the urge to tell her that she’s terrible at following directions. Something tells me that wouldn’t go over well.
I knock, and she answers within a few seconds. God, she’s gorgeous.
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re stubborn?”
“I’m not stubborn. But I can take care of myself. You can’t be too careful.”
She turns on her heel and walks toward the living room. I toe off my shoes and pull off my coat, hanging it in her closet.
“Isn’t that kind of an oxymoron?” I make sure I call it out loud enough that she can still hear it.
