Page 27

Twenty-Seven

Jade

I should not be enjoying my time at a seven-year-old’s birthday party as much as I am, but Kyleigh is so easy to get along with. Henry hasn’t really left me alone with his friends. I think he’s worried about what they might say. They definitely like to razz him about us, and I wonder if that’s how they always are or if it’s because he hasn’t brought a lot of women around them before. Maybe that’s just hopeful thinking on my part.

Trina walks into the party room, and her gaze immediately goes to Henry and me sitting alone at one of the tables. “Sorry, I’m late. Saturday traffic. I hate all the suburbanites thinking the city is their weekend playground.” She grabs Micha’s shoes from the cubby.

“That’s okay,” Henry says, patting my hand before standing and walking over to her.

At the other table, all his friends just stare at her.

“The boys are just out there, so I’ll walk you out.” Henry opens the door for her, and she turns but doesn’t move.

“I wanted to apologize for earlier. I meant no harm. I was just really flustered this morning.” She looks around the room and sets her gaze on me specifically.

I hold up my hand. “Understandable. No harm done.”

She nods, but still doesn’t walk out the door. Henry’s eyes seek mine out, and he shakes his head behind her.

“You’ll understand once you have kids.” She shifts her attention to Henry and rests her hand on his bicep. “Right, Henry? It’s something only a parent can understand.” Her voice turns sugary sweet, while all I can focus on is her fingers wrapping around his arm.

Did she just squeeze it?

Oh hell no. What kind of game is she playing?

“Someone’s hot for some hockey Daddy dick,” Tweetie whispers.

If she heard him, she pretends she didn’t.

Kyleigh rises and comes over to me. “Jade, why don’t you come back with us? Bodhi can open his presents, and we can grab some real food.”

I can’t fight the smile tugging at my lips because I think I like Kyleigh even more now. “Sounds great.”

Finally, Trina’s eyes stray from Henry right to us. She huffs and walks out the door.

Henry’s smile and the small shake of his head before following her is a nice change from the awkwardness that’s lingered between us.

“Are they all like that?” Kyleigh asks once they’re both gone.

“No, most of the parents are really nice. But now I’m starting to think she’s mad because she thinks I’m stepping on her territory.” I fiddle with the Happy Birthday confetti Mack sprinkled on the table.

“I can’t believe she tried to flirt with him like that in front of you.”

Kyleigh wasn’t there. She didn’t hear what Trina said outside.

“She kind of threw our history in my face earlier and said the only reason I have the teaching job is because of my stepdad.”

“Ugh! I hate her for you,” she says. “Seriously, that makes me so mad. You should see the women who hit on Rowan when I’m standing right next to him. Makes me want to scream and say he’s mine.”

“Oh, well, Henry isn’t mine.” Although I do remember a time very similar to what Kyleigh’s talking about, when girls in college would try to steal him away from me.

“You’re kidding, right?” She dips her head to look me in the eye, her dark hair falling on either side of her face. “He’s yours. In all the ways that matter.”

My heart skips a beat at the truth I hear in her words.

I want to ask her a billion questions. Has he dated? Has he ever seemed happy with someone else? “How long have you been with Rowan?”

“Only a few months.” She glances over her shoulder, and it’s as if Rowan knows it because he turns away from his teammates and grins when he sees Kyleigh looking at him. “But it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It’s so weird honestly.”

“Why is it weird?” I ask, dropping the confetti on the table.

“That I’m with him. That we’re a couple. That it all worked out.” She shrugs.

I’m not sure what she means about the working out part, but I focus on the happiness that radiates out of her. It certainly did work out for them.

Henry walks in with Bodhi, and our eyes catch. As if Henry sought me out and that pull to each other is still so strong. Could we ever work out?

“Anyway.” Kyleigh stands. “Let’s get out of here. Boys, get the presents.”

Surprisingly, they all stand and head to the present table, doing as asked. Mack’s already done most of the clean-up, and Henry talks to another man who I assume is in charge of the facility, handing his credit card over to him.

“Hopefully, there’s still some available credit.” Henry sends a pointed look in Mack’s direction, and he only laughs.

“You forget that I know how much you make,” Mack says and helps the staff finish cleaning up.

Bodhi appears at my side. “Did you have fun, Miss Jade?”

“I did. How about you? Did you have a good birthday?” I ask, bending down so we’re eye to eye.

“It was the best!” He looks over his shoulder. “Now I get to open my presents.”

His smile lights up his face. Oh, to be a kid again.

“Go get your coat, Bodhi,” Henry says, placing his hand on his shoulder.

“Be right back.” He runs around Henry toward the hooks.

“So, Conor ordered some food, and we’re going to go back to my place to watch Bodhi open his presents. Did you want to join us?”

I do, even if it’s to just spend a little more time with him, but is it a really good idea?

“I was hoping I could talk to you.” Henry looks behind him. “Not around everyone, but I’m sure Bodhi is going to crash. If not, I’m sure one of the guys or Kyleigh will watch him for a bit.”

I bite my lip and nod.

“Great. Let me grab your stuff.” He heads over to the hooks and almost runs into Bodhi as he makes his way back over to me.

“Kyleigh said you’re coming over!” Bodhi’s hand slides into mine.

“She did, did she?” I ask, realizing we have some meddlers.

His small hand is warm and squeezes my hand tightly.

“We’ll see you there!” Rowan waves, leaving me with Henry, Mack, and Bodhi.

Henry walks over with my coat and purse, his eyes zeroing in on Bodhi’s hand in mine. His Adam’s apple bobs. He’s not smiling but not frowning either when our eyes meet, and he hands me my coat. “Let’s get going.”

I have to release Bodhi’s hand to put my coat on, and I swing my purse crossways over my body. As soon as I’m ready to go, Bodhi lifts his arm, joining our hands again.

We walk out of the room, Mack telling the workers to keep the balloon arch all day for the rest of the kids to enjoy.

Once we’re outside, I notice Bodhi’s free hand slide into Henry’s, so he’s walking in the middle of us as if we’re a family. My chest squeezes at what could have been.

I glance at Henry over Bodhi’s head, and my shoulders fall. I can’t break their hearts, but it feels almost impossible to fight this growing feeling inside me that really likes this too.

Henry’s smile is soft, but I see his worry there.

Bodhi tips his head back, smiling at both of us.

Oh god, my heart almost stops, skipping a few beats.

I’m not sure what Henry wants to talk about, but one thing is clear—we need to figure out our shit before Bodhi is the collateral damage.