Page 69 of No Strings Attached
I smile to myself, grateful for the opportunities, for the family I gained in Henson’s parents, Worth, and even that sassy little niece of his who’s way too smart for her age.
Then I glance at the screen.
Unknown Number: Come to the door.
My entire body goes rigid.
No he fucking didn’t.
Henson appears beside me. “What’s wrong?”
I turn toward him, heart pounding. “I think Chad is at the door.”
His brows pull together, and I hand him my phone, the message still glowing on the screen.
Henson’s expression instantly darkens.
“Please don’t make a scene,” I plead, placing a hand on his chest. “I don’t want my family to know he’s here.”
His jaw ticks, nostrils flaring, but he nods once. “I’ll take care of it.”
He storms toward the front door, and I follow close behind, nerves coiling tighter with every step.
“I’ll be right back, Baba!” I call over my shoulder.
My father doesn’t even glance up and just grumbles something else about the napkins.
When we reach the entryway, Henson yanks the door openand there is Chad. His grin falters the moment he sees who is standing in front of him.
“Oh.” The cocky energy drains from his face.
“Oh,” Henson echoes, stepping forward, letting the door close behind us. “What the fuck do you want,Chad?”
A sheepish smile tugs at my ex-boyfriend’s mouth. “I just wanted to say Merry Christmas… and drop these off.”
He holds up two small floral arrangements wrapped in crinkled red paper.
Before Henson can react, I step forward and snatch them out of his hands. “What the hell are you doing here, Chad?”
His brows lift in faux surprise. “I just thought?—”
“No. Don’t do that. We’ve been broken up for over a year, Chad.”
He has the audacity to look offended, like I’m overreacting.
“I thought maybe we could talk. Catch up.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Right. And this sudden urge to reconnect hasnothingto do with the fact that I’m dating Henson?”
Chad doesn’t answer.
“Of course. You realized I was actually moving on, and now you want back in.” I hold up the flowers. “This is pathetic.”
He shifts his gaze to Henson, trying to play it cool, but there’s unease behind his smirk.
Henson steps in closer. “You don’t get to show up here uninvited, hand over a pity bouquet, and act like this is some romantic movie moment. Mira’s not your second chance. She’smine.”
I feel the heat of his words all the way through my chest.
