“We’re still friends?”
“Always. Besides, you’ve got to find some way of getting me a hot date. That’s your payback.”
April laughed. “Sure, I’ll do my best to get you a hot date.”
They shared a nice breakfast together before she dressed in the clothes she’d worn last night.
“I’m going to walk you home,” he said.
“No, you don’t need to worry about taking me home. I can walk on my own.”
“We’re walking home, April. I need to know you got home safely.” He followed her out of the door. The headache she’d had earlier had all but disappeared. “So about this date, I expect to hear your call soon.”
“I’ll do my best. I don’t know many people. Your request means that I’m going to have to talk to the girls at work.”
“Whatever you do, I leave my love life in your capable hands.”
She couldn’t stop laughing as David did everything to cheer her up. The smile died the moment she saw Henry sitting on the steps outside of her apartment building.
If looks could kill, the one he shot David would have.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” Henry said.
April turned to David. “Thank you for walking me home.”
“Don’t forget our deal,” David said, tapping her shoulder. He left her alone with Henry seconds later.
“You’re wearing the same clothes as yesterday.”
“I spent the night with David.”
The fire in his eyes blazed. “I never took you for the kind of woman to jump from one man’s bed to another.”
April recoiled as he spat the words at her. “How dare you? I didn’t sleep with David. After everything you told me yesterday I needed to talk to someone, anyone who’d listen.” She ran fingers through her hair, staring at him. “I wouldn’t do that. David knows the truth.”
Henry looked remorseful. “Shit, I’m sorry. I saw him and you, and you’re wearing the same clothes. I jumped to conclusions.”
“Then don’t. I’m not like other women you’ve dated. I can’t just jump from one bed to another.” She brushed past him, opening the door to her building with the key.
He stayed close behind her as she went to her apartment.
“I’m sorry. I was jealous, okay? I saw him and I knew you were dating him.”
“I didn’t sleep with him. It takes a lot for me to jump into bed with a guy.” She bit her lip, knowing she’d jumped into bed with him quickly. “It’s different with you.”
“April, we’ve known each other a long time.”
“Still, it was different.” She closed the door, throwing her jacket onto the chair. “I’ve eaten breakfast. Have you eaten?”
He shook his head.
“I’ll make you something.”
In the doorway between the sitting room and kitchen she turned back to look at him. “David is my friend. I’ve also agreed to find him another date.”
She didn’t give him a chance to respond before she entered the kitchen and set about making something for him to eat.
Pancakes were all she could come up with. Tying her hair back she saw there was a message on her machine. She quickly pressed the button and listened to Marcel talk.
“Hey, April, I wanted to make sure you were all set to work tonight.”
Before she started whisking up the mix she called Marcel back to let him know she’d be in to work.
Henry joined her as she was hanging up. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt revealing his thick muscles. “You’re going into work?”
“I’ve got to.”
She didn’t want to lose her job. Working for Marcel gave her everything she’d been searching for in her life.
“I can take care of you.”
April gazed at him. “I don’t want you to take care of me.”
He spoke her name, to which she shook her head. “No, I don’t need you to take care of me.”
Henry didn’t argue with her, and she made him a pile of pancakes, which he devoured.
****
One week later
Henry watched April serve a table across from him. The table of businessmen were drinking a little too much for his liking. His companion, a business associate with a new venture into computer games, kept talking. He wasn’t listening, more concerned with his woman dealing with the rowdy crowd.
Marcel wouldn’t let her serve him as April had requested it. For the last week she’d kept her distance, and they still hadn’t discussed his admission to her. He spent time around her place, and she rarely spoke to him.
Giving her space wasn’t helping their situation. If anything, he felt her distancing herself from him.