Page 52 of Secret Love

Be a safe place for them to land.

I have to hope that it all ends up working out.

~Henley

I call Bree when I get home and get right to the topic. “Hey. Did you know the girls are holding out hope that we get back together?”

“What?”

I already feel better hearing the shock in her voice. “Yeah, it floored me too.”

“Well, did you set them straight?”

“I tried, but maybe you can solidify the point. Tell them how I drive you nuts or whatever you have to do.”

She laughs, but her voice is sad. “I thought they liked Alex. I’ve tried to ease him into their lives, but maybe he should be more involved.”

“Whatever you think regarding Alex, but I thought you should be aware.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you told me. I’ll talk with them.”

Tru is all business with me that afternoon. I had a feeling that her having time to think about that conversation with the girls last night would not go in my favor. And I’m too uncertain of how to proceed that I don’t push it.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

TRU

Henley seemed bold on our text thread, but when I go to his house the next afternoon, he's tentative around me. I guess I’m tentative around him too, even though just looking at him reminds me of the way he kisses and how much I want more of that.

But I’m grateful for the reprieve. I've thought of very little but him and our situation…even trying to muddle through it during English class all day.

My brain is tired. I don't know what the right thing is.

I like what I know about himso much. But it’s complicated. And I'm just not sure I want to start out my time in Silver Hills this way. It'd be one thing if I was doing the temporary thing that my parents do, where they're in and out of a place in no time. I want this to be my home. I want to create memories here. I want to make a life. I don't want to start trouble with my job or with the people here. So, a little bit of time and space in this weird situation seems like a good idea.

But before I leave, Henley jogs out and meets me at my car.

“Hey,” he says, smiling shyly. “I wanted to give you this.”

He hands me a piece of paper folded over once, and when I start to open it, he reaches out, his fingers skimming over mine.

“You don't have to read it now. I just wanted you to know I meant what I said.”

My cheeks heat.

“Okay,” I whisper.

He nods and takes a step back. “Have a good night. Thanks again for what you’re doing with Cassidy. Today was hard, but I can tell she’s hopeful.”

It needs to go on the record somewhere that Henley Ward is impossible to resist.

When Earl and I get home, I eat some leftover soup and we curl up on the couch together. The note from Henley is on the coffee table and I pick it up, excitement thrumming through me despite all my efforts to be calm. I unfold it and smile when I see his handwriting. It’s nice, just like everything else about him.

Tru,

I still want to know everything, but how about we start out with these three questions…

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