Page 26 of I Think They Love You

Leena Carter may be inches shorter than Denz, but her no-bullshit eyebrow arch makes him feel infant-sized. They share similar features: rich brown skin, sharp eyes, a hint of dimples in their smiles. But everything about her is more pronounced, including her sidelong look as he scrambles to explain himself.

“Don’t they say something about absence and the heart growing fonder?” he stammers.

Next to her, Kenneth clears his throat. “Son, what’s going on?”

His stare pointedly shifts to Braylon. Leena’s does too. “Wait, where’s your—What is this?”

Denz inhales deeply.So, this is happening. “Mom. Dad.” He inches closer to Braylon. “This is the boyfriend I mentioned.”

Kenneth stiffens as Leena chokes out, “Your boyfriend is… Bray?”

“It’sBraylon,” Denz gently corrects before Braylon can. “He goes by his full name now.”

“And he’s back?” Leena blinks like she’s involuntarily been dropped into a paranormal reality show. “InAmerica?”

“Yes,” Denz says. His dad’s still quiet.

“And you’re together—” Leena frowns. “—again? With him?”

“Correct.”

“I… wow.”

Denz fights off a grimace. With Jamie, he was better prepared. He’d mapped out the hand-holding and how he was going to laugh when Jamie revealed that watchingWhen Harry Met Sallyone too many times led to the inevitable between them and his mom’s shock was going to be comical. His dad’s eyes weren’t going to be so narrowed. This long stretch of awkwardness between them wasn’t going to exist.

But here it is.

To his surprise, Braylon makes the first move. “Mrs. Carter, it’s lovely to see you again,” he says, waiting for consent before shaking her hand. “Sorry it’s been a bit.”

“Years,”Leena clarifies.

Braylon’s smile brightens. “Denz is right. Absence does make the heart grow fonder.” His eyes are almost soft, affectionate when they land on Denz. “I’m thankful for another shot to prove I’m worthy.”

Something twists in Denz’s belly. He’s marginally impressed.

Braylon turns back. “I’d love to get reacquainted over dinner.”

A beat. Kenneth tilts his head. Denz knows that look. He’s searching for flaws, deciding whether Braylon’s worth his time.

Denz is preparing for the worst when there’s a shift between their hips. Braylon’s cool knuckles brush against his. His hand clasps Denz’s. Immediately, muscle memory takes over. Denz’s fingers tangle with Braylon’s, warm palms kissing in the crisp night air.

It’s not weird like it was with Jamie. In fact, it’s irritatinglynormal.Denz wants to snatch his hand back.

“Mr. Carter,” Braylon says, “would that be okay with you?”

Kenneth’s brow knits together. His eyes don’t leave their hands. Eventually, he folds an arm around Leena’s shivering shoulders and says, “Sure. I could use a drink.”

“Or the whole bottle,” Leena mumbles.

His parents lead the way toward the restaurant’s doors. It’s not aWelcome home. AnI trust you’re as serious about my son as he is about being the future leader of my company. But it’s close enough.

Kingfisher & Redbud is swimming in lush charm. All wood and stone décor. The air soaked in the lingering scent of aged wine and fresh ingredients and smoked meats. Luxurious renditions of trademark Southern cuisine fill the menu. From his parents’ favorite corner booth, Denz tries to find anything to take his focus off the man sitting next to him.

God, why did he do this to himself?

At least Braylon’s trying. He asks Leena’s opinion on appetizers. Draws her into a conversation about her dress. He’s unbothered when Kenneth’s not as responsive. Braylon smiles easily, moving on to the next topic.

Colin, their waiter, arrives with a whiskey neat for Kenneth and rosé for Leena. The chef’s already searing their usual meals: Kenneth’s favorite cut of steak and Leena’s chili-rubbed chicken.

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