Page 39 of When We Ignite

something appropriate for a man your age

I laughed out loud, unable to help myself.

“Texting Ethan?” Henry asked.

“Yup,” I said, taking another drag and waggling my eyebrows at him.

“Oliver’s going to be pissed,” he noted.

“He doesn’t have to know,” I replied coolly, giving him a look. “You’re not supposed to know either, so pretend you don’t know we’re texting.”

Me

I suppose I could just call you that when we’re alone together

though that’s not very appropriate for a man my age to do either

“Because you’re so subtle about it, both of you,” Henry muttered. “You really need to watch yourself this weekend, Ash.”

“I can be subtle,” I argued. “I want to take him sailing. Think I’ll manage without Oli catching on?”

Henry shrugged. “Maybe if he’s busy with wedding stuff, but just because he can’t see you doesn’t mean he won’t know something’s up if you two go sailing together. Alone.”

“We won’t be alone. You’re coming with us,” I said matter-of-factly.

He rolled his eyes. “So I can sit around and watch you drool over Ethan in a swimsuit?”

“No, so you can sit around drinking, probably with a date, while I drool over Ethan in a swimsuit.”

He snorted. “Fine. That sounds marginally better. I thought Ethan didn’t want me to know.”

“He doesn’t. There’s nothing to know anyway, other than texting and spending time together. I haven’t even kissed him,” I admitted.

Henry’s eyes widened. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

I shook my head, taking a long drag and flicking the ashes out the window. “I’m not kidding.”

I’d seen Ethan twice after our first dinner, and both times had gone the same way. I tried to keep it casual so he’d be comfortable. Whenever we got close enough, I waited for him to ask me to kiss him, but he kept refusing.

“It’s starting to get uncomfortable.”

“Like you’re getting bored?” he asked, confused.

“No, likephysicallyuncomfortable,” I clarified. “I haven’t been with anyone since I slept with Chris almost a month ago.” I took one last drag and crushed the cigarette butt in the car’s ashtray.

Henry gaped at me. “No, no, no. Hold it right there. You can’t just say shit like that without context. That was the last time you had sex? Why?”

“He asked me not to,” I said simply.

“Hold on, hold on.” Henry waved his hand as if trying to process it. “Ethan told you not to fuck around? Ethan told you not to fuck around while notfucking you, and you’re just…going along with it?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Ethan asked me not to, and I’m patiently waiting for the green light. It doesn’t bother me. It’ll make it more appealing when he finally gives in.”

Henry groaned, throwing his head back. “I never thought I’d see the day. That kid has you wrapped around his finger.”

“No, he doesn’t,” I shot back, though the words sounded hollow even to me.

“No? You’re in a committed relationship with a kid who’s not giving it up. You’re going on dates, texting… You’ve turned into a teenager.”