Henry blinked. “He didn’t?”
“I don’t think he did. I asked, and he just sat there staring at me with his stupid, broody eyes.”
“Hey, we have the same stupid, broody eyes. Watch it.”
I shoved his shoulder. “Don’t be cute—I’m fucking pissed.”
Henry chuckled. “I’m trying to lighten your mood.”
I rolled onto my back, anger and ache clashing inside me, neither willing to give.
“Hey…” he said carefully. “I feel like I need to ask you something.”
“What?”
“Have you actually tried talking to Ash about this? Like, have you two had an adult conversation about still having feelings for each other?”
“We talked about boundaries and being friends.”
“While flirting and crossing every single one of them…”
“Well, yeah. That too.”
“That’s not what I asked.” Henry pushed himself up slightly, his attention locking onto me. “Have you told him you want him back?”
We just stared at each other.
“You haven’t, have you?” He let out a slow breath. “E… wanting him to admit it is fine. But pretending you don’t care unless he says something first?” His brows lifted like he couldn’t believe I was even arguing it. “That’s bullshit, and you know it.”
I swallowed, something in me bristling at how close that landed. “I’m not pretending.”
“You are,” he said. “You’re acting like it’s just about sex because that’s safer. Because if he chooses you first, you don’t have to risk anything.”
My jaw clenched.
Henry watched me for a moment before speaking again, quieter this time. “And you know him better than anyone. You know he digs his heels in until someone forces him to move.” He dragged a hand over his mouth, as if he was choosing his next words carefully. “I’m not saying that’s on you,” he added. “But this… game you’re both playing? It’s not getting either of you anywhere. I know it’s scary?—”
“I’m not scared,” I cut in.
He tilted his head, clearly not buying it. “Sure, babe. You’re behaving like a completely mature and well-balanced adult.”
“You’re the one who taught me I could get him to do what I wanted if I took my clothes off.”
Henry barked a laugh. “That was fucking ages ago. I’m all grown up now—soon to be therapized and shit. My new advice is: you can’t seduce him into being in love with you.”
The sheets rustled softly as I moved.
“You can get him into bed,” he added, “but that’s not what you want, is it?”
I tilted my chin. “What if it is?”
Henry gave me a wan smile, one that said he knew better, then shrugged. “Then you’re the one not playing fair, because that’s not what he wants.”
That made me pause, my walls dropping just a fraction. “He’s still with his fucking boyfriend. What do you mean that’s not what he wants?”
“Come on, E,” he said. “You know him better than that.” He sat up on the bed, offering me his hand. “Don’t sell yourself short. Ask for what you really want.”
I stared at his hand.
