My stomach tightened. “I’m moving out soon. I just need to find a new place.”
I still hadn’t told Henry what was going on with my finances—or my dad. I kept hoping I’d fix it before he ever had to know, but I still hadn’t been able to reach my father. And things were getting bleaker by the day. My landlord had already sold my apartment to someone else, and I’d lied to Henry and said it was a plumbing issue.
I fucking hated it. Henny was the last person on earth who deserved to be lied to.
“You want my realtor to look at it?” he offered.
“I have a couple of places I’m looking at this week.” More affordable ones, because God knows I wasn’t going to be affording Langley prices anytime soon.
Henry nodded, then scratched the back of his head. “Or you could just stay…”
“Stay?”
“The place is big enough, E. You don’t have to move out. Plus, the company is nice…” He gave me a giddy, hopeful grin. “We can be roomies.”
I chuckled. “You don’t have to do that. You need your own place to frolic in. I’ll just get in the way.”
“You won’t—I’ll frolic quietly. Promise.”
“You don’t do anything quietly.”
“Fair. Then I’ll ask you to join.” He winked.
I shoved his shoulder, earning a laugh.
“I’m kidding—about the threesome, not about the moving in. At least think about it. Keep it on your list of possibilities when you look at places.”
My stomach rolled again. “Maybe.” Another lie. I definitely couldn’t afford this place either.
“You know I’d be the best roommate ever. Keep you fed, drunk, comfortable. I’ll fluff your pajamas and warm your bed for you.”
I snorted. “Have you ever had a roommate before?”
“I grew up with my brothers?—”
“Not the same. But just out of curiosity… did you fluff Oli’s pajamas for him?”
“Obviously.” Henry bumped my shoulder with his, grinning. “Speaking of which, how are you feeling? After yesterday’s introductions?”
I sighed. “I’m fine, Henny.”
“Really?”
I met his gaze and turned onto my side to face him. “I thought we had a rule.”
“Yeah, I know.” He rolled his eyes and mirrored my pose. “But we’re all coexisting now, and I know this can’t be easy for you. I’m just checking in.”
“We are, which is why it’s more important than ever that we pretend Ash isn’t my ex and your brother. You can’t get in the middle.”
“I’m not, I swear. And I want that too. I’m fucking Switzerland right now, baby. You two can deal with whatever on your own—just don’t ask me to pick a side.”
“I’d never do that to you.”
“Let’s just avoid the scenario.”
“Fine.”
We held each other’s gaze for a beat.
