Page 22 of Love Will Save the Day
‘Yeah, he was super great,’ Henry says. ‘But you know I’m not interested in your dad?’ he raises an eyebrow cheekily. ‘I’m interested in you. I only wanted to find you to saythank you. And then I met you. And not only are you feisty and bold and smart, you’re also incredibly sexy. No wonder my YouTube audience think we’d make a perfect couple…’
I’ve been called cute, strong, athletic, but never sexy. Henry is looking at me like he is hungry for meat and I am steak. He really seems to like me and frankly I am befuddled by it. Is this like Stockholm syndrome but in reverse? Like, he fancies me because I saved his life. Is it a kink? I’ve seen all the girls that fawn over him on social media. But he is into… me?
He brushes a strand of hair away from my face ever so tenderly, and leans forward. He’s definitely going to try to kiss me again. But… I can’t. I shouldn’t. My own body resisted it last time he kissed me. I felt nothing because I knew in my heart that it was wrong to lead him on based on a lie.
Just as his lips reach mine I duck and twirl away awkwardly.
‘What? What is it?’ Henry says, his face falling. ‘Is something wrong?’
Argh. What do I say? I can’t tell him the truth yet. Not until I have my ducks in a row. And I don’t want to hurt his feelings.
‘Bess? I thought… is everything okay?’
I back away. ‘Uh… uh… everything’s fine I just…’
‘I just what?’
‘I just… need a poo.’
And then, like a complete psychopath, I run away and up the stairs towards my room. Why the frack did I say I needed a poo? Again. I need to come up with a better lie. He probably thinks I have some sort of chronic bowel issues or something. But maybe that’s for the best.
Diving into my room, I lean back against the door and bury my head in my hands. In a million years, I never expected that Henry would genuinely fancy me. But I can’t let it happen. I can’t hurt him like that. It’s one thing to take advantage of someone else’s mistake to get back on your feet, but to let them develop feelings for you? To encourage that? No. I can’t do that. I won’t.
