Page 81 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
Figures, my mom was more concerned about Henry.
I turned to the man who was smiling brightly, his eyes happy as his handsome face lit up only for me. God, I was so lucky he was in my life.
“Henry, would you like to go to brunch with me on Sunday at my parents’ house?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
“He’s in, Mom.” My mom cheered on the other line, making me roll my eyes.
“That’s just wonderful, honey. I miss you two kids. When are you finally going to get together? You would make such a perfect couple.”
“All right, I’m going, Mom,” I said, ending the conversation. Without a doubt, my mom always asked the question of my status with Henry. She was bound and determined to make sure we ended up together. She couldn’t get it through her head that we were just friends.
“Okay, honey. I love you and tell Henry bye for me.”
“I will.”
I hung up the phone and tossed it on the coffee table. Feeling exhausted, I rested my head against the arm of the sofa and looked at Henry.
“Did she ask if we were dating again?” Henry asked.
“Never fails to ask.”
Laughing, Henry pulled on my arm and made me sit up so I was in his embrace again. He made slow circles on my skin with his thumb, sending chills through me.
“Why don’t you let it happen, make your mom happy?”
It was the same teasing conversation we had whenever I got off the phone with my mom. Each time, hesuggestedwe give it a try, and each time, I rolled my eyes at him, because I knew he was only kidding. Although, tonight, it didn’t seem like he was teasing. He sounded more serious.
“Yeah, because that wouldn’t be a mistake,” I replied, trying to lighten the mood.
I felt Henry stiffen from my words and for a second, I thought maybe I’d offended him, but then he said, “Yeah, probably.”
“I think our food is getting cold.”Time to move past this awkward moment.
“Should I reheat?”
“No, let’s just eat.”
Releasing me, Henry leaned forward and grabbed for the food. He handed me my plate and a fork and then grabbed his own.
“You know me too well, beef and broccoli, my favorite.”
“Our favorite.” He winked while digging in, not taking a chance to breathe as he inhaled everything on his plate. With his mouth full, he asked, “So, what does this mean for your book? Are you still going to write it?”
“I am.” I nodded, covering my mouth with my hand while I chewed. “It’s just going to take a while. Did I tell you it’s a little ode to our friendship?”
“Really?” He seemed surprised.
“Yeah, I wanted to modernize it a bit, so I’m writing a book about friends in college who find they have feelings for each other along the way.”
“Any of this story true?” he asked while wiggling his eyebrows.
I pressed my hand against his forehead and said, “You and my mom. You’re going to drive me crazy.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad, you know. We know each other, we’re comfortable with each other, we’re best friends . . .”
“And we would ruin that friendship when things don’t work out.”
