Chapter 4A Decade Late

I was sitting on pins and needles.

The man beside me had an overwhelming presence. I could only distract myself by making small talk with Leo.

We talked about school, about work, about our pets.

Henry took a call midway through and didn't come back until dinner was served.

The moment he sat down, my spine went ramrod straight again.

During the meal, Leo kept putting food on my plate. I was too polite to refuse.

Suddenly, a hand with long, elegant fingers reached over and took my bowl.

Before I could react, Henry had replaced it with his own empty one.

He looked directly at Leo. "She's allergic to shellfish, and she can't eat anything with ginger."

Leo blinked, then smiled. "My mistake. You're a much more attentive big brother."

Others noticed the exchange and started teasing.

"You two are still as close as you were in school!"

My heart was in turmoil.

If he wasn't going to deny our "sibling" relationship, then why had he pretended I was a stranger the other day?

I excused myself to the hallway for some fresh air.

Coming out of the restroom, I saw him leaning against the wall, waiting.

It was just the two of us.

Pretending not to know each other now would be ridiculous.

His dark eyes settled on my face. He spoke first.

"You're divorced?"

After all these years, his first words were completely out of left field.

He pressed on. "Are you dating Leo?"

"No."

I answered the only question that made sense.

Henry looked down, nodding slowly. His expression was unreadable.

The silence was getting awkward. I tried to break it.

"I heard your mom was in an accident. Is she doing okay?"

"It wasn't serious. I'll take you to see her sometime."

"Oh, okay. I don't have your number."

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Yes, you do."

I was still trying to figure out what he meant by that when Sophia appeared out of nowhere.

I instinctively put some distance between myself and Henry.

She linked her arm through mine, playfully scolding him.

"It's been forever since I've seen Clara. You can't monopolize her! She's all mine tonight!"

With that, she pulled me away.

I couldn't help but feel that her grip on my arm was a little too tight.