Page 45 of Unsure in Love

I took a step back as if I was physically struck. Of course, I wasn’t expecting hugs and tears of joy, but his reaction was devastating. “I’m sorry…” was all I could get past my lips.

Henry glanced over his shoulder again and back at me. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I just—”

“Henry, honey. Who is it?” A woman’s voice rang out.

He looked about ready to keel over. “No one.”

No one. That was like a knife to the heart.

“Someone got the wrong address,” he added, still staring right at me.

Embracing my pain and humiliation, I turned and hurried down the porch steps. I stumbled on the last one because tears clouded my vision.

“Wait!” Henry hissed.

I kept moving, wishing this was a bad dream I could wake up from. A door slammed, and I looked toward the car to see Damian hurrying toward me. He wore the meanest scowl I think I’d ever seen. For a moment, I was confused about what upset him until I realized he was looking over my shoulder.

Footsteps echoed beside me. “Cassandra,” Henry called.

I still didn’t stop. I couldn’t because I refused to let him know how much he’d hurt me. So I kept moving and walked right into Damian’s arms. It felt like I had landed in a safety net.

“Cass?” He gazed at me with a frown. “What happened?”

“Let’s go. I shouldn’t have come here,” I whispered, still fighting back tears.

He nodded and led me back to his car. We didn’t get too far when Henry called, “Please, wait a minute.”

Reluctantly, I stopped and schooled my expression before turning around. Damian stayed by my side, his presence giving me solace.

Henry was moving closer, but he stopped in his tracks when he took a good look at the man by my side. He swallowed hard and stepped back before turning to me. “You don’t understand,” he said. “You just showed up.” He glanced back at his house and turned back to me with a pained expression. “My family is here…”

That stung. I guess I wasn’t considered his family then. “No. I understand. I’m sorry to have popped up.” Truthfully, I hadn’t thought about his wife and children being home. I was angry with him, but it wasn’t my intention to drop a bomb on his entire new life or upset his family.

Damian’s hand rested on my lower back. I almost closed my eyes to soak up the comfort but glanced up at him instead. He was practically snarling at Henry.

“It’s okay, Damian.”

Apparently, my words were enough to get him to stand down. His stance relaxed, and he took a step back, but he still held Henry in a deadly stare. I was stunned by his reaction. However, I didn’t mind it. I liked that he was super protective. He’d be the same way with our child.

Henry gazed at Damian warily, as if fearing an attack. A sliver of satisfaction moved through me. Let the asshole feel a little fear. Recovering from my despair, kind of, I glowered at him. “I’m leaving. I won't bother you again.”

He shook his head. “Look, it’s not that I don’t want to talk. We just can't do it here.”

“Like I said, I understand.” It was my fault for showing up. I felt so stupid. I turned to walk away with Damian who was moving beside me.

“Maybe we can talk somewhere else.”

I stopped again. It was probably foolish of me to be hopeful, but I was. He wanted to see me again.

When I turned to Henry, he said, “I’d like the chance to speak with you.”

“Today?” The hopeful note in my voice almost made me wince. It sounded way too needy.

“In a few days maybe?” he suggested.

I sighed, my shoulders drooping. I’d be back in Oakland by then.

“This isn’t a good time, but I’d love to speak with you,” he said. “If you come back another time, we’ll go somewhere—”

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