Page 38 of Second Chances in Cedarwood

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The next afternoon, Jack closed the shop without any delays and headed home. He needed to see Henry one more time. Henry waited at his condo with his bag packed and messenger bag on the sofa. He answered the door in a pullover and jeans.

“Hi.” Jack grabbed the suitcase. “You’re really going to make me miss you. Damn. You look great.”

“That’s the point. I need to look professional.” Henry kissed him. “I’ll miss you just as much.”

Jack carried Henry’s bag to the car while Henry locked up. Letting him go would be so hard. He’d fallen for this man.

“I’ll call when I get to my hotel room,” Henry said. “I’m texting my itinerary, too.”

“You don’t have to, but I appreciate it.” He closed the passenger door for Henry. His heart lodged in his throat. He wasn’t worried about Henry coming back, but that didn’t mean he’d miss him any less. Henry held his heart in both hands. Jack left the condo and drove to the airport. He stayed quiet through most of the forty-five-minute drive. A thought occurred to him when he headed onto the exit leading to the main terminal. “Should I park and take you in? Or just go through the temporary parking?”

“Save the money for Saturday. You won’t be able to wait with me after I go through security, so you might as well save the five bucks.” Henry fiddled with his bag. “I wish you could wait with me.”

“Me, too.” He hated the security measures, even if he understood why they were there. Having them in place made saying goodbye harder.

“Just park here in the five-minute drop-off lane.” Henry withdrew his phone. “I’ve got cash, my wallet, ticket, itinerary, cards, phone… God, I’m always nervous before these things.”

“You’ll be great.” He pulled into the drop-off lane, then parked. “You’ll get that story written and done, then you’ll be home and we’ll go to that dinner.”

“Yes.” Henry kissed him. “It’ll be a great way to celebrate being home.”

“It will.” Jack left the car and tugged the suitcase from the trunk. “Need anything?”

“You?” Henry’s smile wobbled. “Next time, you’re coming with me.”

“This is your job. You do it well and it’ll be done soon enough.” He embraced Henry, not wanting to let go. “I do want to join you, but this will be quick. You’ll be home before we know it.”

“We will.” Henry held Jack tight. “I need to go.”

“You do.”

“Don’t want to.”

“I know.” Jack hugged him a bit longer. He didn’t want to let go, but Henry had to leave. “But go and you’ll be back faster.” He should tell him right now that he loved him. The words were right there. “Come back safe and with lots of pictures.” He cleared his throat. That wasn’t at all what he wanted to say. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” Henry straightened his shoulders. “Bye.” He kissed him one more time, then waved and walked into the building.”

Jack wanted to linger a little more, but worried he’d overstayed the five-minute allotment. He slid behind the wheel of his car and pulled into traffic, then left the airport. A piece of his heart stayed with Henry. His bed would be so lonely. But Henry would be back soon. The three days would fly by. Had to. He could use Henry at the shop, though. He’d come to depend on him. But he’d manage and his heart would grow fonder. He knew it.

He drove home. When he walked into the house, he spotted one of Henry’s notebooks, and one of his spare pairs of glasses had been left on the table. The items were little reminders of his lover.

Henry had only been gone not even two hours, yet he missed him. Jack wandered into the bedroom. He should eat, but why bother? He’d rather sleep. He flopped onto the bed and noticed a piece of paper on the other pillow. He frowned and opened it.

Jack,

I’ve never known anyone like you. You make me feel like me. I miss you and I can’t wait to be home—with you.

Henry

Jack clutched the paper to his chest. He wasn’t good at penning romantic lines, but this was the sweetest thing he’d ever read. Henry hadn’t said the three words he wanted to hear, but Jack felt the love all over the note.

When Henry came home, he’d show him how much he cared. They might not make the dinner on Saturday, but oh well. They had more important things to do and Jack wanted to show Henry how much he’d missed him.

Chapter Ten

Saturday morning, Jack hurried up to the hot dog shop. He needed to write out a sign explaining why he’d be closing half an hour early.Personal reasons.

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