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Before I can come up with an excuse, something lands on my shoulder. I react wildly, shooing it off me. Was that a bug?
Henry bends down and picks something off the ground.
I peer at it.
It’s the sunglasses.
How cheap are these gifts that they fell apart without much use?
Henry flicks the broken stem to the ground and stomps off to take down the lights. His shoulders, slumped. His stride, heavy.
So much for beating around the bush.
I touch his arm until he’s facing me. “Let’s talk for a minute.”
“I thought you had a meeting?”
I check my watch anxiously.
Twenty minutes left.
“It’s withhim,isn’t it?”
“Coffee.” I give my best friend a shaky smile. “Let’s talk over some chai.”
He looks anything but appeased, but at least he follows me out of the warehouse and into the sunshine. I’m hoping the natural light will improve his mood. I’m hoping the chai will too. He can’t erupt on me if he’s slurping sweet, caffeinated goodness, can he?
Henry reaches for the door when we get to the café, but I dart ahead and open it for him. Dipping into an ‘after you’ gesture, I look up with a smile.
He rolls his eyes, but I see a little grin tweaking the corner of his lips.
Yes!
Progress.
Once we get our lattes, I lead Henry to a table. He slides into the seat across from me and that slightly judgmental look is back on his face.
“I know what you’re going to say,” I sign. “But it was the only way to stop Sullivan from coming after you. If there was another path, I would have taken it.”
He starts to sign, but I sign over him.
“I’m the one who agreed to do it. I’m the one who made that choice. It’s only three months. After three months, he and I will never see each other again.”
Henry sits forward.
“And before you go crazy on me, this isn’t something I need to be rescued from. Dare mightthinkhe has the upper hand, but I fully intend to use all the attention he’s bringing me for my own gain.” I ease to the edge of my seat and plead, “We can turn this into gold. We can use Dare to build our empire. As long as we’re not hasty…”
He glares at me.
I arch a brow.
He arches one right back. “Are you done interrupting?”
I lick my lips guiltily.
“Yaya…” Henry hesitates, “do you know what kind of man you’re dealing with?”
I blink rapidly, surprised by that calm response. Why isn’t Henry throwing his latte at the window and storming out while vowing to have Sullivan’s head? Why isn’t he redder than a chili pepper with twice the kick? Why is he so… civil?