Page 49 of The Last Dance

‘I know you do. I needed you to hear it from me that I can’t do that anymore. I can’t keep lying to myself. I can’t keep pretending that escaping will help me forget. I don’t want to forget.’

‘What don’t you want to forget?’

‘You. Us. Our entire life together. You’re in every memory I have, Ambri. The good and the bad. I can’t keep going like this, pretending like I never felt what I did. I’m going to face my demons and I’m going to do whatever it takes to win.’

I roll my eyes, finally turning to face him. ‘Why are you telling me this?’

‘Because I’m tired of living my life without you in it. We used to tell each other everything.Youare my person, Ambri.’

I grunt a disbelieving laugh. ‘I’m your person? Just like that.’

‘Just like always,’ he says.

‘And if I’m remembering right, and, trust me, I’ve overthought it enough to know that I am… youdon’ttell me everything. You only tell mealmosteverything. The things youwantme to know,’ I remind him.

He nods. ‘I know. That’s changing starting right now. That’s why I’m saying all this.’

I sigh heavily, becoming more and more irritated with him. ‘Henry, it will never be the same between us as it was. Like I said the other day, we can’t go back. Maybe we both had feelings for each other before and maybe it evenwaslove, but I think it’s pretty clear we’ve both moved on. I can deal with you being back if I must. But us being all besties again, I just can’t go there. Those days are over.’

‘I couldn’t agree more.’

‘What?’

‘I agree, I think the days of us being best friends are long behind us.’

‘Thenwhatexactly are you trying to say?’

‘Ambri?’ The guy working at the booth holds up my bag. ‘Eighteen even.’ Yeah, yeah, I bought two meals even though I’ve been eating all day. I’m sure I’ll be hungry at some point.

‘I got this.’ Henry steps in front of me, handing the guy a twenty. ‘Keep the change.’ He takes the bag from him, handing it to me with a shy grin on his face. ‘All I’m saying is that I hope I can see you again?’ he asks, a shy smile on his face.

My heart starts beating faster in my chest and the pit I normally have in my stomach when I see him lately seems to be bubbling over with something more pleasant feeling. ‘You know I want to say no.’ I sigh. ‘But judging by the past few days, running into you again seems more likely than not.’

He grins. ‘That’s good for me.’

I pinch my lips together to keep from returning his smile. I don’t know what he’s up to, but I’m not sure I like it. He’s got me intrigued and I don’t want to be.

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