Page 61 of Obsessed with the Heartbreaker

Antony

“Hey,” I said as soon as I stopped in front of Henry, trying not to look awkward.

His throat bobbed.“Hey.”

My whole body prickled with awareness as his eyes looked me up and down. I thought I saw a flash of heat in them, and as soon as he caught himself in the act, he looked away, clearing his throat. “Let’s go.”

Falling into step beside him, I got the message loud and clear. We weren’t going to talk about what had happened, which was fine by me, but it didn’t take away the heightened awareness that I had of Henry. We weren’t even touching as we made our way through campus, the afternoon sun warming our skin and the sounds of students’ chatter all around us, and yet it felt like we were in a world of our own.

It was kind of weird to be walking so normally with him, like we’d done it a thousand times, like it wasnormalfor us to just hang out and go places together when it wasn’t. I didn’t miss the not-very-subtle glances some people sent us, but Henry didn’t really attract hordes of people trying to get all over his business while there was still daylight out, so we made our way to his frat house undisturbed.

“So,” I started, hoping to break the silence. “I didn’t know you had classes on this side of campus.”

“I don’t. I came to see my advisor, but he wasn’t in his office.”

“Your advisor?” My brows furrowed.

“Technicallynotmy advisor, but I roped him into it. Professor Larsson.”

“ProfessorSexy?” I blinked, turning sharply toward him. “He’s acting as your advisor?”

Henry’s head whipped in my direction, eyes narrowing. “You know him?”

“I knowofhim.” As most people did.Professor Sexywas his nickname, since he looked like he could have been an underwear model, or one that always wore perfectly tailored suits showcasing expensive colognes and luxury cars.

Henry’s eye twitched. “You like him?”

I scoffed. “Likeis a very strong word.” I adjusted my backpack self-consciously and added, “Do I think he’s attractive? Sure.”

Quiet enveloped us for a long moment before Henry grumbled, “I didn’t know you were into older men.”

His tone made me look at him closely. Jaw set and dark brown eyes glaring in front of him, Henry looked for all the world like he’d suddenly remembered that the Professor owed him money or something.

My heart fluttered in my chest, even if I told myself this was definitelynotjealousy.

“I wouldn’t say I’m intoolder men. I just said he’s objectively attractive.”

“Then whatareyou into?”

Prying for information now, was he?

I wondered whether I should just give him a noncommittal answer, like I did every time someone asked me something like this (which wasn’t often), but suddenly, I didn’t feel like lying to him. I found myself wanting to share my…situation.

“I’m…not sure.”

“Not sure?” Henry looked at me expectantly now, but his tone wasn’t disbelieving or irritated, it was more curious. Like he wanted to understand.

Which was enough encouragement for me to continue. “I think my sense of ‘liking’ someone or being ‘attracted’ to them is a lot weaker than most people’s. At least usually.”

There, I said it.

This was something that I’d only ever shared with my best friends. It wasn’t like I was ashamed of it or anything, but being different than what most people appeared to be had a way to make you feel alone and misunderstood.

Henry was quiet for a minute as he took in what I’d just said.

“I thought you were into it the other night, though.”

My head whipped toward him. “Are we talking about it, then?”

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