Page 40 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
Insulted, I sat back in my stool and looked at Henry. Hurt speared through me. Yes, I wasn’t experienced, but I was pretty sure I could handle myself when put in a situation that I wanted for myself. I was getting a little tired of everyone treating me like a child. I understand my friends were trying to be helpful, but sometimes helpful was hurtful.
“You’re an ass,” I finally said as I got up and took Henry’s tablet back to my room with me. I didn’t need this harassment right now. Alejandro would be getting a message.Ha, take that.
The minute I walked through my room, I attempted to shut the door behind me to gain some privacy, but it was stopped by Henry’s hand.
“Leave,” I said, not bothering to turn around.
“Rosie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m just worried.”
“Well, stop worrying, Henry. I can handle myself, I’m not a child.”
He took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair, clearly flustered. “I know you’re not a child, I just . . . God, Rosie, I care about you.” Why was he suddenly so . . . opinionated about my life? We’d been friends for years, and he’d never been so invested in what was happening to me. Why now?
Finally turning around, I set the tablet on my bed and walked toward him. I placed both my hands on his shoulders and said, “I appreciate your concern but I want a friend, not a big brother. I want you to help teach me what I need to know, not be my knight in shining armor.”
“But I like being your knight.” He smiled sheepishly.
“I know, but it’s time you step back, Henry. I won’t have you here for me forever. You’re going to move on at some point, maybe with that big-breasted lady from last night.”
“Charlene? No, she’s just fuckable. No substance to her.”
“That’s what I want. Maybe Alejandro is just fuckable. Maybe he will be fun enough where I can let loose and gain some experience. I need experience, Henry, because right now, my book is about as dry as my vagina.”
Henry’s lip twisted in a smile. “I told you, I could do something about that for you.”
“Get real,” I pushed him away but he grabbed my arms and pulled me into a hug, making my stomach flutter all over again from being so close to him.I love when he holds me close like this, but I also hate it, because it's only temporary and over in a flash. One day, his daily hugs will probably be gone forever.
“Do you forgive me?” he whispered softly against my hair. How could I not?
“Always.” I squeezed him tightly, pressing my cheek to his bare chest.
“Are you really going to write him back?”
“I am.”
“Will you tell me where you go at least?”
“Do you promise not to watch me through the window?”
“I can make no such promise, but I can try.”
Laughing, I said, “I guess that’s the best I can ask for.”
Once Henry let go of me, I grabbed his tablet and we sat on my bed together and wrote Alejandro back.
Alejandro,
You had me at tacos. Let me know when and where.
Ready to munch – Rosie
“You sure it’s not too lame?” I asked before sending. It wasn’t a very poetic message but it got the point across.
“No, it’s perfect.”
“Don’t you think munch sounds a bit sexual?”
“Yes, and that’s the point.” Henry cringed. “Not that I really want you giving out sexual innuendos, but as a friend giving advice, this is perfect.”
