12. Henry

CHAPTER TWELVE

henry

“Yeah, it’s pretty self-explanatory,” I say to the woman I’ve just helped set up a new membership, but I don’t think she’s only interested in working out.

And while she’s very pretty, and she seems to be smart and maybe even a little funny, I’m not interested in her any more than that. “Yeah, it’s a lot fancier than the one I have at home, but I think I can figure it out.”

She doesn’t move to the treadmill we’re talking about, though, and my palms start to sweat at what’s coming next. Felix bringing up the subject of dating comes back into my mind. It has nearly every day since then.

Not because I want to date anyone.

No. But because I feel like a freak for not wanting to. Because he dates and is social, and I’m just a sad, single father. But I’m not sad. I’m fine. I’m happy. I like spending my evening with Hazel . . . and Felix.

And there lies the problem.

She starts to speak, and before I can think of a good excuse, Felix is next to me with a crying Hazel. “Hey, sorry. I think she wants her daddy.”

A whoosh of relief washes over me as I take Hazel into my arms and bounce her gently. “Hey, sweet girl. What’s the matter?”

I forgot about the woman until she speaks, her voice sounding surprised. “Oh shit, you have a baby?”

She sounds horrified, and Felix looks annoyed. “Do you need some help? I’d be glad to step in.”

“Oh . . .” She looks at him and then at me. “I think I’ve got it.”

“Great. Let me know if you need anything else,” I say and turn to walk away, thankful for the distraction.

Her voice stops me though. “Henry?”

I face her, trying to be polite. “Yes?”

I feel Felix at my side and smile as she assesses me with her eyes. “Are you married?”

I shake my head. “No.” But I don’t give her anymore details.

I feel Felix stiffen next to me as she approaches. “Are you with her mother?” She looks hopeful, and I don’t like this situation at all.

“No.” The reminder of Maggie does what it always does, though, and I feel instantly sick to my stomach. Wanting to escape.

“If you don’t need anything, I could use Henry’s help, and his daughter probably needs to eat.” Felix sounds almost defensive, but again, I’m grateful for him.

“Oh, um . . .” She looks at Hazel again and then at me. “It’s probably for the best. I don’t do babies.”

What the fuck does that mean?

I don’t say anything, and thankfully, Felix gives her a curt, yet still polite smile before directing me toward the front desk with Hazel, who’s calmed down but still not totally satisfied.

“What the hell was that?” I ask as I sit down in a chair and grab a bottle and formula.

Felix takes it from me and makes up a bottle while answering, “A woman wanting to bone you, but guess she didn’t see the baby coming.”

“Bone?” I can’t help but grin as I look up at him while he shakes the bottle, mixing it up. “Did you really just say that?”

He looks at Hazel and then at me. “Well I can’t say f-u-c-k, now, can I?”

I chuckle at that as I take the bottle he offers and give it to Hazel. She immediately starts feasting on her lunch and is over our antics, curling up in my arms as she focuses only on her bottle. “She wouldn’t know what either means yet.”

He sits down in the chair next to mine and gives me a pointed look. “Yes, but my girl doesn’t need to know what that woman wanted to do to you.”

Something hot flushes through me every time he refers to Hazel as my girl. Something about it feels right.

“And how the hell did she know we aren’t together?” He seems truly offended by that thought. “I mean, I brought the baby over to you. I could be your husband, for all she knows. The nerve.”

His startled eyes meet mine, and he starts to backpedal, but I just shake my head at him. “So hell is fine? Technically, that’s a swear word too.”

“It’s barely a swear word.”

I laugh. I seem to do that a lot more around him. “You’re right. I should have told her we were together. But apparently, she’s afraid of babies, so I didn’t need to repel her.”

“She’s dumb,” he says, brushing a finger over Hazel’s cheek, and goddammit, my heart flutters again. That familiar white-hot feeling courses through me because the way he looks at her—like she’s the most precious thing on the planet—it does things to me. “And sorry. I mean, of course we aren’t together . . . That was dumb . . . I . . .”

I’m pulled from my thoughts when I hear him focusing on his earlier statement. “No, you’re right. She just assumed. That’s crazy.”

He gives me a sad smile, and I hate it. I have the urge to ask him so many questions. Like why does he look so damn sad. His bottom lip pushes out a little more than the top one, and I want to nibble on that goddamn lip. Taste him.

Kiss him and not come up for air until I’m forced to.

These thoughts are growing more and more out of hand lately, but before I can get my mouth to say any words, we’re greeted by a smiling, handsome man I’ve seen before but haven’t talked to since the first night I came into the gym.

That night seems like so long ago. “Felix.” He looks at Hazel and then at me. “Hazel. Henry. Hi.”

“Andrew?” I ask because I know his name, but I haven’t talked to him or really been properly introduced.

“Yeah, hi. How are you doing?” I suspect Ben has updated him on Hazel and me living here now and me working for him.

“We’re good. Everyone here has been really nice.”

“That’s great.” Andrew is smiling, and it’s so weird, like he actually cares. Like they all really care. Once again, I’m not sure how I lucked into a place like this, no matter how bizarre it might feel to me. “And you?” He’s looking at Felix now.

“Good. There’s a kid I’m a little worried about though. I gave him a Spark of Hope flyer, and I’m hoping he’ll come in.”

Andrew’s expression turns worried, and he nods. “How old?”

“Fifteen. He’s a tough one, but I think it would do him some good coming to talk it out.”

“Yeah, give him my number, if you haven’t already. The group can be a little intimidating at first.”

“Already done,” Felix says, and Andrew still looks worried.

I realize he must be another human who takes all the pain of the world on his shoulders. A therapist who spends his free time running a support group. Checking up on kids I assume Felix meets while volunteering.

He heads off to talk to Ben, who’s in the office, and I turn to Felix. “You guys adopt everyone you meet?”

He smiles brightly at that. “Only the ones who let us.”

“You’re a good man, Felix,” I say dumbly because duh.

He gives me a look I don’t understand, and again, I want to ask him all the things. But yet again, we’re interrupted by customers and work.

It’s probably for the best because I’m not sure how long I can keep these thoughts locked away, and I want as much time as I can get before I ruin things.

Because everyone always leaves eventually.