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“Alright.” I close the space between us and ease myself into the chair next to his. Whatever he asks me, I’ll answer him straight. I owe him that much.
“You love Jessica?”
I look out the window. I can see the parking lot below. “No.” I watch a silver Mercedes pull into a reserved spot. The driver’s side door pops open and Henley climbs out. “I never did.”
“But you’re still gonna to marry her?”
“Yes,” I tell him, even though I might be lying. Even though saying it out loud feels like the shitty things I’ve ever done.
I leaveRyan in his chair, telling him that I’ll see him later. That I’ll be back. He gives me an apathetic shrug in return. “Shut the door on your way out.” He doesn’t believe me.
I don’t blame him.
I wouldn’t believe me either.
Walking fast, I intercept Henley at the nurse’s station. When she sees me her dark brown eyes pop wide in surprise before they narrow in suspicion. “What are you doing here?” she says, her gaze slipping past me, down the hall to land on her brother’s closed door. “What did you do to him?” She thinks I came here to confront Ryan about escorting Tess to Cari’s show last night. Maybe even hurt him for it.
I don’t blame her for that either.
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “I didn’t do anything, I just…” I’m not sure how much she knows about my involvement in what happened to her brother. She was long gone before it all went down and I’m still selfish enough that I don’t want to come clean to her. Not yet. “I came by to see if he needed a ride to my parent’s house for dinner.” I shrug, feeling like a complete shit for lying to her. “I saw you in the parking lot and figured that’s why you’re here, so I left.”
She knows I’m lying. I’m not that considerate. Instead of pointing it out she gives me a jerky head nod. “Okay.” Her gaze darts past me again. “Well, I’ll—”
“Tess knows.” I make myself say it. Fast, like I’m ripping off a Band-Aid. “I forgot to ask for the receipt and Anton must’ve—” I stop talking because she doesn’t care. She doesn’t want to hear reasons or my excuses. I fucked up. I never should’ve gotten her involved. Never should’ve asked her to help me. “I’m sorry Henley. I’m so fucking sorry.” I shake my head and step in front of her when she tries to shoot past me. “I’m gonna make it right. I’ll make sure she understands that you didn’t—”
“No.” She spits it at me through clenched teeth, tips her chin so she can look me in the eye. Despite the Chanel coat and five-carat diamonds stuck in her ears, this isn’t Rich Girl Henley. This is the Henley I grew up with. The Henley who sees me exactly for who I am. “I don’t want your help and I don’t need it. Just stay away from me—and for good measure, stay away from Tess while you’re at it.”
It’s what everyone says to me.
Tells me to do.
Stay away from Tess.
Leave her alone.
“I can’t.” I feel desperate. Out of control. “Fuck me, I’ve tried but I can’t. I love her.” I’ve never said it out loud before. Not to anyone but Tess.
I expect Henley to threaten me with financial ruin. Tell me what a lying, manipulative, selfish piece of shit I am. I expect her to hit me. Scream at me. Make a scene. Embarrass us both.
I’m prepared for that. I deserve that.
But she just shakes her head at me, a vague look of distaste sweeping over her face. “Then why do you keep hurting her?” That’s all she says before she slips past me to hurry down the hall.