Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Henry’s watching me now, his head propped up on one hand, his lips twitching like he’s trying not to smile at what he’s probably overhearing from my conversation with a very loud and worked-up June.
But I’m here. In Henry’s bed. The very last place a lot of people would expect.
Truth be told, I’m not sure if Henry would want my brother Beau to know this. I don’t even know what Henry wants out of this. I mean, I’m the one who came to his apartment in the middle of the night, not the other way around.
Clearly, something happened between us on the island, but I’m not entirely sure either of us has wrapped our heads around it yet.
I don’t want to assume and make an ass out of you, me, and our entire families, for Pete’s sake.
The whole concept of a committed relationship is a foreign adversary in enemy territory with limited resources. I’m used to flitting from one guy to the next and never settling down, and even though I’m fairly certain I’ve gone and caught a serious case of feelings for Henry, all of that conditioning doesn’t just disappear.
I glance at his handsome face, the realization undeniable. Yes, I have feelings for him. But fuck, that’s kind of scary.
“Avery? Hello?” June is in my ear again, impatience dripping from her voice. “Are you there? Where are you?”
“I’m here,” I answer quickly. “And I…I had an early massage appointment,” I lie, the words just kind of rolling off my tongue before I can even think them through. “Self-care, you know? Obviously, I have to get back on track after…” I stop before I can say anything about my being stranded on an island. Clearly, that’s a trigger for my best friend.
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and I can practically see June narrowing her eyes. “A massage?”
“Yes, June. A massage. You know, for sore muscles. Probably a smart idea after having to survive off breadfruit and an occasional fish for thirteen days, don’t you think? Or would you prefer I walk around with a constant kink in my neck and end up, like, out of alignment so I can answer your calls?”
“Ugh! No! But you could’ve told me you had an appointment!” she huffs. “I was about to start another freaking search party!”
“Juni, honey, do you think it’s possible you’re being a little controlling?” I tease, hoping to lighten the mood.
“I do not care, Avery Banks,” she snaps. “You need to keep me updated at all times. Do you hear me? All. Times.”
“Fine, fine,” I say, holding back a laugh. “I’ll text you my every move from now on.”
“You’d better,” she mutters. “And don’t you dare joke about this. I’m serious.”
We exchange a few more words, her tone gradually softening as the panic subsides. When we finally hang up, I shoot her a quick text.
Me: Just want to keep you updated on my every move. I just got off the phone with my crazy best friend. Our conversation lasted exactly 5 minutes and 43 seconds.
Her response is immediate.
June: I know you’re being a sarcastic biotch right now, but I don’t care. Keep doing this.
I set the phone down, feeling Henry’s gaze on me. When I turn back to him, he’s smirking, his head resting on his hand. The sheet is slung low on his hips, and I try not to let my eyes wander. Much.
“So…you’re at a massage?” he asks, his brow furrowed as we lock eyes.
“What was I supposed to say?” I counter, crossing my arms. “‘Oh sorry, June, I’m actually at Henry’s apartment. Naked.’”
He chuckles, but his expression softens. “Why didn’t you just tell her you were here?”
I bite my lip, looking away. The truth is, I don’t know. Or maybe I do, but I’m not ready to say it out loud.
“Oh, I don’t know, Henry,” I eventually answer, a little sharper than I intend. “Maybe because no one knows about what happened between us on the island. Beau certainly doesn’t know that we hooked up.”
Henry’s expression shifts, his smirk fading. “Hooked up?” he repeats. “C’mon, Avery. I think you and I were a little more than a hookup. Don’t you?”
Relief floods through me at the unexpected lash of hurt. If Henry doesn’t want me saying things are casual, maybe it’s not casual. My heart races with hope I wish I could control. I don’t want to be at the will of emotion—it’s vulnerable and not at all on-brand for Avery freaking Banks.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t make my very real feelings any less true.
“Then what do you think we are, Henry?” I ask softly, searching his eyes for any signs of bullshit so I can backtrack quickly if I need to.
He doesn’t hesitate to respond, his eyes open and unguarded. “Well, we’re not a hookup. And I definitely think we shouldn’t be seeing other people. And we should be seeing each other a lot. Maybe constantly. Especially naked, but not naked as well. It’s a pretty even percentage, though, so if pushed, I’d probably give a few extra points to the naked side.”