An American Cinderella

“Take out sounds wonderful,” he said. “Much better than a crowded restaurant.”

I grinned. I had cleaned up my room this morning just in case, so I was visitor ready. The image of Henry in my bed flashed through my mind again. He would look good in my sheets.

It’s just noodles, I reminded myself. Don’t get ahead of yourself.

Still, I couldn’t wait to get home and it wasn’t because of the food.

Chapter 8

The crowds thinned out and the stadium slowly became more quiet. Behind us, Andre and Valentina still sat in their seats. I had to wonder if they were really a couple. They didn’t seem interested in speaking to one another. They weren’t holding hands and I hadn’t seen them do more than simply nod in the other’s direction all night.

Maybe Jaqui could get that phone number after all.

“You ready?” I asked Henry, seeing that the stairs were finally empty. Henry checked his phone. I’d given him the address for the restaurant.

“Our car should be here in just a couple of minutes. I need to check in with Andre. It’ll only take a moment.”

“Sure,” I said with a shrug. I thought it was a little strange that he needed to check in with his friend, but I wasn’t going to pry. Something was going on between the two of them and I didn’t want to get in the middle of it.

Henry stood and hopped over the back of his seat. He took the empty chair next to Andre and began speaking. His voice was too low to hear, but Andre’s eyes immediately flashed to me. I smiled at him and then turned back around to play with my phone.

I could feel Andre’s eyes on the back of my neck like hot coals. I risked a glance back out of the corner of my eye and saw Valentina giving me a suspicious look as well. I wondered if they were supposed to have plans with Henry after the game.

What if Andre was actually trying to set up Henry and Valentina? It certainly made sense then why Andre was frustrated that I was here. And it explained why Andre and Valentina didn’t seem to be closer than work associates. It would also be a good reason why Henry was annoyed that Andre and Valentina were here at the game with him.

Pleased that I had solved the puzzle, and a little glad that Henry had chosen me over Valentina, I went back to my phone game with a smile. Henry chose me.

“Okay. The car’s here,” Henry said, jumping back over the seat to join me. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” I nodded and put my phone back in my pocket. I looked back to see both Andre and Valentina scowling at me. “They okay?”

Henry sighed. “They never are.” He took my hand and together we exited the row. Our steps echoed on the now empty stairs, along with Andre and Valentina’s. They were apparently following us out.

“Are you sure you guys are okay?” I whispered as we came to the bottom of the stairs. Some of the crowd remained, but nearly everyone was filing into the parking lot to get home now that the game was over. “I don’t want to cause problems between you and your friends.”

Henry nearly tripped over the last step, catching himself and holding onto the railing. “Thank you, Aria,” he said, once his feet were firmly on the floor. “Andre understands. He’s just overprotective of me.”

“What? Is he afraid I’m going to kidnap you and ransom you off?” I teased as we exited the stadium. The same car that picked me up was waiting to take us to the restaurant.

“You’re not too far from the truth,” he replied. I looked up, confused, but he just smiled and opened the car door for me. He followed behind me, sitting close to me once again. I loved the way he felt next to me.

“We’ll be there in ten minutes,” the driver announced. He pulled out into the traffic trying to leave the stadium and was promptly stopped by the multitude of cars trying to leave. “Make that fifteen.”

“We’re in no hurry,” Henry told him, wrapping his arm around my shoulder like I was his girl. I snuggled into him, feeling his solid warmth.

“So, what should I get for dinner?” Henry asked me. “You were right about the grilled cheese, so I trust your food decisions.”

I chuckled. “Just don’t eat anything I cook. That would be a culinary decision you would regret.”