Page 73 of When We Were More

He pulls back a little and gives me a pointed look.

“Because I don’t lie to you, remember?”

I don’t answer, and he watches me for a few seconds.

“My mom’s best friend, Heath’s best friend, my mom’s?—”

“Is Heath here?”

“Would it help me convince you to come in if he is?” He looks like he’s fighting a grin.

“Maybe.” I nibble on my lower lip, and Henry’s eyes focus on my mouth.

“Don’t do that, tiger. It’s no secret you’re sexy as fuck when you do that with your lip. Unless you want me to lower this seat, and?—”

“Stop,” I say as I throw my hand over his mouth. “I can’t go in there turned on if I’m going to meet Hea?—”

He pulls his head away to free his mouth.

“Don’t. If you say my brother’s name, and ‘turned on’ in the same sentence, you can’t hold me responsible for what happens next.”

I grin at Henry. He has a gift for turning any moment sexy when he wants to.

“C’mon, let’s go inside. I want to see the girls.”

“Just the girls?” I roll my eyes at him. “Fine. I’ll introduce you to my brother.”

Fifteen minutes later, Henry has introduced me to his mother, his brothers, Hayden and Heath, and Heath’s best friend, a lovely young woman named Georgie.

“Was it everything you thought it would be?” Henry teases after we walk away from Heath and Georgie.

“Eh, it was anti-climactic, to be honest. He’s a lot smaller without all his gear.” Of course, I’m joking, but it earns a smile from Henry. “I’d like to go find the girls and say hello now.”

“Yeah, let’s do that. They’ll be downstairs getting ready for the ball to drop. Follow me.”

He heads across the room, with me close on his heels.

“Isn’t it a little early? It’s only six-forty-five.”

“Ah, yes. Did I forget to tell you that we celebrate the British New Year first, so my girls and my cousin Keith’s kids can be awake for it? Then, they go to bed, and the grown-ups celebrate in real time here.”

As we approach a set of stairs, a beautiful woman off to the right tracks Henry with her eyes as he passes. I don’t like the way she looks at him, but I scold myself because it’s not my place to feel possessive over him. He’s not mine, I remind myself.

“That’s a brilliant idea. Hell, maybe I’ll start doing that and I can get to bed at a decent hour for future New Year’s Eves.” I’m only partly joking.

Before Henry can answer, we’re at the bottom of the steps, and Layla comes barreling into my legs.

“Tillie! Happy New Year! You’re in time, the ball’s about to fall.”

I hug her, and Lena has toddled her way over to us and is reaching her arms up. I lift her and give her a little squeeze, earning me one of those giggles I love.

“Happy New Year. Looks like I barely made it.”

“C’mon. I want you to meet my cousins. Daddy, can you get our kid’s cham-champ…” Frustration mars her pretty little face, and she peers up at me for help.

“Champagne,” I answer.

“Yeah, can you get it ready, Daddy?”