Page 86 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
“Rosie, I’m glad you’re here. You feel like going to that swing club with me? Friday night swing?” He wiggled his eyebrows as he sat next to me.
I hated how casual he was with me when deep inside, my gut was twisting.
“I can’t,” I said. “I have a date with Greg tonight.”
Henry’s brow creased as he absorbed what I said. “That’s the guy with the dog?”
“Yes, I’m going to his place to make some pizza.”
“Dressed like that?” he asked, looking me up and down.
“Yes, what is wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“Seems a little revealing, don’t you think?”
I stood up and walked to a mirror in the living room. I took in the black outfit I had on. It was black pants and a black top, but the top had some lace in the front neckline, not really showing anything.
“No. It’s fine.”
“I think you should go change and while you’re at it, change into a swing dress so you can go dancing with me tonight.”
“Henry, I told you, I have a date.”
“Cancel,” he said as he came up next to me, grabbing my hands so he could pull me in closer to his body. His head lowered to mine so our foreheads were touching. “Come out with me, Rosie. Let me take you on a date.” He sounded so vulnerable, like he was trying to offer me the world but was nervous about it.
My lungs seized, and I knew I was going to start hyperventilating. Why was he doing this? He was changing the dynamics of our relationship? It made me so incredibly scared. Did he truly have feelings for me? If only I could read his mind.
Trying to not hurt him, I said, “We have a date Sunday; we’re going to brunch.”
With the touch of his finger, he lifted my chin and gazed into my eyes.
“I want a real date, Rosie. I want a date with you and only you, not your parents and not our friends. I want to take you out, open doors for you, spoil you, and take you home. I want it all, Rosie.”With me? He wants it all with me?
Being honest, I replied, “You’re confusing me, Henry. You’re making it seem like, like . . . you like me.”
He tilted his head to the side as he responded. “Would that be such a bad thing?”
Would it? Well Virginia would be happy, but right now Virginia would be happy with a lubed-up turkey baster. My inner girl, the girl who’d had a crush on Henry for so long wanted it, wanted him, but my heart wasn’t ready to lose my best friend.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I’m just so confused, Henry. The way you’re treating me, the things you’re saying, I’m afraid I’m going to lose you.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, genuinely confused.
“You’re my best friend. I don’t want something to happen between us and then lose you. I would be devastated.”
“You would be devastated? Hell, Rosie, I wouldn’t know what to do if you were no longer in my life.”
“Exactly,” I added while patting his chest. “Why mess with a good thing?”
His brow furrowed and he stepped back from me, clearly insulted, even though I didn’t mean to.
He rubbed his chin as he scanned me. “You know, Rosie, it surprises me how dense and naïve you can be at times.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Don’t you see the way I look at you every day, the way I touch you and talk to you? Can’t you see my heart beat out of my fucking chest every time I’m around you?”
“Yea, but it’s because you’re my friend, right?”
