Page 29 of I Think They Love You

“That’s not a burger,” Braylon points out.

Through a gritted smile, Denz says, “It’s fine.”

“It’s not,” Braylon opposes. “For one, seafood makes you nauseous. Two, you hate onions. Passionately.”

Denz tries to laugh. “That’s a strong word.”

“It’s true.”

Denz isn’t in the mood to argue. To let one more thing ruin tonight. Except… something white-hot spreads through his chest. Into his cheeks. Under his breath, he says, “You remembered? About the onions and—”

“Of course.” Braylon’s eyes flash. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Because I didn’t even know your dinner order,Denz wants to remind him.Or that your dad died. Why you came back.

“Son,” Kenneth says, interrupting his thoughts, “should I—”

“I’ve got it,” Braylon insists. He nudges Denz out of the booth, flagging down Colin. Denz gapes at him. Braylon’s all smiles and relaxed charm like he’s chatting with an old friend, explaining the mix-up to Colin.

“How sweet of him,” Leena whispers, impressed.

Kenneth sits cross-armed, stone-faced. It doesn’t stop the smile from edging across Denz’s mouth.

Well played, Braylon Adams.

“Let her decide,” Leena urges after a sip of wine.

The rest of dinner has gone without incident. Denz’s new plate arrived with an extra pile of hand-cut fries as well as a complimentary bottle of Clos du Temple. Leena’s on her second glass. Conversations drift in and out. The latest: Nic’s indecision over which college to attend in the fall.

“I don’t know why she won’t pick an Ivy,” Kenneth huffs. “She’s so smart.”

“What about an HBCU?” Leena offers. “Or somewhere closer to home. Like Spelman. Agnes Scott. Emory or—”

“UGA,” Denz and Braylon say simultaneously. Coincidentally. Denz’s eyes lower to his half-finished burger when his mom smirks.

“She’s a Carter,” Kenneth says. He gulps his whiskey. “She has a legacy to uphold. She’s better than—”

He cuts himself off. Denz doesn’t need him to finish.

UGA wasn’t Kenneth’s first choice for Denz. Duke, UPenn, or even UCLA, where Jordan ended up. Notable, flashier colleges for the press to rave over. But Denz wanted somewhere he could be his true self while still remaining close enough that he wouldn’t miss anything in his family’s lives. Besides, helikedAthens.

But it wasn’t what his family wanted.

His eyes cheat over to Braylon. He’s watching Denz, cheeks flushed at being caught.

“Can’t believe she’s already off to uni,” Braylon whispers. “Wasn’t she just thirteen?”

“Yeah,” Denz exhales.

He tries to ignore the sourness at the back of his throat. Braylon’s ankle pressed against his under the table. His dad’s unreadable stare drifting between them. How he never thought he’d be here again: hoping a first impression didn’t mean the end of something he wants.

Six Years Ago

Junior Year—Fall Semester

“You can’t hear them.”

“I’m not trying to—”

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