Page 49 of Beautiful Trauma
Henry narrowed his eyes. “You have a cruel streak about you, Ezra. I didn’t know that until today.”
“I’m nervous that you’re nervous. I open my mouth to say something encouraging, and the exact opposite comes out.”
A shy smile curved Henry’s lips as he studied my face. “I like it.”
“Which part? The gun-toting mother or man-eating tigers? I think your sense of humor needs work.”
He laughed then. “You’re always so cool and in control, so it’s nice to see you a little rattled.”
“Always?” I asked huskily. “I can think of plenty of times when you made me lose—”
Henry leaned forward, cutting off my words with a quick kiss. “Giving me a boner just before I meet your parents would be the cruelest stunt yet.”
“You’re right,” I said softly. “Forgive me?”
“We’ll see,” Henry said noncommittally before releasing his seat belt and opening the door. “Maybe you want to shut off the car and join us.”
Oops.By the time I killed the engine and climbed out of the car, Mom and her three dogs had already converged on Henry.
“Hello, Henry,” Mom said, ignoring Henry’s extended hand to hug him. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, Mrs. Meyer.”
“Please call me Simone,” she said, squeezing Henry’s shoulders affectionately before turning to hug me. “Hi, brat.”
“Hi, Mom.”
Instead of the summer dress I predicted she would wear, Mom wore a white, sleeveless blouse, faded denim jeans, and her riding boots. She smelled like sunshine, grass, and leather which meant she’d just come in from riding one of her beloved horses on the trails through the woods.
“Come on in and get something to drink. Dad is out back fussing over his smoker. He put the racks of ribs on a few hours ago.”
“That’s what smells so good,” Henry said, sniffing the air appreciatively.
“I hope you brought your appetite with you,” Mom told him, looping her arm through his and leading him toward the front door. Henry glanced at me over his shoulder, and I gave him a reassuring smile as I followed them.
Dad was casually lounging poolside rather than hovering over his smoker as Mom had implied. He rose to his feet as soon as we stepped onto the patio and offered his hand to Henry. “It’s nice to meet you, Henry. I’m Paul.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
“I hear you’re attending my alma mater,” Dad said proudly. He looked at Mom with a smug expression on his face. “I was so excited when Ezra accepted a position at the University of Cincinnati instead of thatotherschool across town.”
Mom snorted. “Really, Paul? Henry has been here for less than five minutes, and we’re going to subject him to our college rivalry.” She turned to Henry and smiled. “I attended Xavier University.”
“Ah,” Henry said. “That crosstown battle is almost as intense as the argument over who makes the best Cincinnati chili: Gold Star or Skyline.”
“Skyline,” we all said at once.
Dad laughed. “I like you, Henry. Great taste in schools and chili.”
“And men,” I added.
“Yeah, I guess you’re okay too,” Dad said, hooking his arm around my shoulders and pulling me to him for a hug.
“Ezra,” Mom cheerfully said, “why don’t you give Henry a tour of the house and property while I get cleaned up and put the finishing touches on dinner?”
“Want a tour?” I asked, appreciating the excuse to get Henry alone to make sure he was doing okay.
“I’d love one,” Henry said.