Page 66 of Someone Like You

The turn of phrase chipped away most of Abby’s boldness, replacing it with bemusement. Her expression softened as she placed a hand over Phil’s cheek, stroking it fondly.

“Let’s get you warmed up first.”

* * *

Abby drew him a hot bath and brought him clean clothes, commanding him not to get out until all the cold had drained out of him.

“I’ll be downstairs making tea.”

The hot water burned on Phil’s trembling body, but it did its job, gradually sucking the ice out of his bones and muscles. He wished there was a hot bath for how he felt inside, too.

The mirror was mercifully fogged when he finally stepped out of the tub, so he was spared the sorry spectacle he must be. He felt older and more tired than he ever had.

Downstairs, he followed the scent of cinnamon to the living room, where Abby was waiting for him with a whole pot of tea.

As soon as Phil touched the couch, he found himself with a steamy cup in his hands. He thanked Abby, blew on the tea a few times, then took a sip. Just how he liked it: plenty of sugar and a sprinkle of milk.

A delicate touch rubbed his back. “Feeling better?”

It nearly broke him. The tenderness, the doting attention despite the tense situation… Tears welled up in his eyes again, but he pushed them back, washing down the swelling in his throat with another sip of tea.

“Yeah,” he said when he felt like he could trust himself to speak.

Abby let him drink, observing him out of the corner of her eye with a hand resting on his knee, rubbing lightly. “Want me to fetch some biscuits?”

“No,” Phil all but laughed. “I had two slices of carrot cake and a gigantic hot chocolate.”

The comment spread a smile on Abby’s face. Phil tried not to roll his eyes. Having people rejoice at himeatingwas oddly moving. It reminded him how low he’d fallen and how much progress he’d made since getting here, mostly thanks to the amazing woman sitting next to him. He put his hand on top of hers, squeezing apologetically.

“I’ve been such a dick to you lately, haven’t I?”

“You have,” Abby agreed, but her thumb leniently stroked the side of Phil’s hand. “You get hurtful when you’re hurting.”

No one knew him like Abby did. No one had taken as much shit from him as her, and yet she was still here, still willing to put up with his bad moods andunderstand. After all she’d done for him, Phil was really about to show his gratitude by confessing he’d fallen for a guy he’d only known for a couple of months.

“Look.” Abby pried the empty cup out of his hands to hold them both into her own. “If you’re having second thoughts about the engagement—”

“It’s not that.”

“I’m just saying, it’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay if you don’t want to be with me any more.”

The lump in Phil’s throat swelled again. “No, no, Abbs, listen to me…” He kissed her knuckles. “Ilove you. I’ddiewithout you. I just don’t think sex is part of how I want to manifest this love.”

“That’s not what’s troubling you, though, is it? We’ve already established we’re both okay with that. Phil, please.” Abby kissed his knuckles in return. “Something’s off between us. If you don’t tell me what it is, we can’t fix it.”

Love flooded Phil’s chest. If there was anyone in the world who could fix this mess, that was Abby. She always knew what to do. She could shoulder any stress, any crisis. She’d kept them afloat all this time… She’d find a way to mend this fracture.

“It’s Ian,” he blurted before panic kicked in and tied his tongue. “I’m… attracted to him.”

Abby’s eyebrows raised. “As insexuallyattracted?”

Phil’s fingers pressed into his eyes. “Sexually, emotionally, intellectually…” He sighed, burying his face into his hands. “You name it, it’s there.”

A heavy silence descended in the flat. He didn’t dare to look up, ashamed of himself and devoured by guilt. This was how he thanked his saint of a girlfriend for looking after his hapless carcass for two whole years.

Then a frail whisper tore into the silence. “Did you sleep with him?”

“No,” he said with a desolate shake of his head.

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