Page 161 of As They Are
“You can say no,” he added. “And I won’t back out of anything. I realize we never talked about what could happen if things changed, but I’d be willing to work it out with you.”
He likedme.
He wanted more with ...me.
Once, when I thought I could be something with Jude, I had an image of what it would be like for the guy I liked to return my feelings, but after his rejection, I’d silently accepted that people never liked me back.
And now I had no fucking clue what to say to Henry.
But I could show him. I could tell him with actions.
I grabbed him by the tie—one of my favorite things to do—and brought his lips to mine. I had no idea how to say yes because no one had ever offered memorebefore.
Henry hesitated for only a second before his hand cupped the back of my neck and brought me closer, pressing my body tightly against his.
“Is that a yes?” he asked. “Or did I misread the situation?”
“It’s pretty hard to misread this.”
“I do have a talent,” he said.
“Then I’ll say it. Yes, I’d love to be more with you.”
“Thank God.” Henry let out a breath of relief. “I was preparing myself for you to turn me down.”
“I was preparing foryouto say it was over.”
He gave a disbelieving laugh. “Why would Ieverdo that?”
I shrugged. “It happens.”
“No, Wren. It’s not gonna happen with me. I’ve been yours since I saw you on the side of the road.”
Seriously? Had it been that long?
I didn’t get a chance to ask. Henry’s lips found mine again and I lost myself in his embrace. Had anything ever been like this? Would anything top it?
A moment later, he pulled away. “Come back to my house.”
My eyebrow raised. “I thought that?—”
“I’m inviting you over. Screw all that I said before.”
A thrill of excitement made its way through my stomach. All I could do was nod eagerly before he grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of his home.
Henry grabbed his keys as my gaze trailed over the front door of his house. I’d done all of this before, but now I had the excitement of going inside.
“So, what should I expect?” I asked. “Hoarding? No decorations?” I shuddered. “Bikini model posters on the walls?”
Henry paused and turned to me. “Youreallythink that’s what’ll be in here?”
“You were pretty secretive,” I said. “Sure, you said you didn’t want this to be too real, but you could have some massive skeletons in your closets. Or on your bed.”
He turned the key with a laugh. “No skeletons. I was telling the truth. If I invited you into everything, then I’d never let you leave.”
“Are you never letting me leave now?”
“We’ll see,” he replied as he opened the door.
