Page 83 of The Last Dance

I nod, completely embarrassed. ‘I didn’t even knowhowto turn it off.’ I’m so totally technologically stunted that it’s not even funny. ‘I’d say it’s pretty safe to assume I’ll be calling you for help.’

‘That’s OK too.’

Another moment of silence. He’s preparing himself for me to not need him once the site is up and I’m preparing him for the fact that I might. I’m not sure either one of us are really talking about the website.

‘How long have you been with Noah?’

‘Almost a year.’

‘How’d you guys meet? You get arrested?’ He laughs.

‘No.’I laugh. ‘A cake tried to burn down my apartment.’

He bellows out a contagious laugh.

‘Ah… totally you. See,that’sa knight-in-shining-armor moment. Not that Band-Aid thing that Karmen used to go on and on about.’

‘He didn’t exactly carry me from a burning building. He just knew how to use the fire extinguisher.’Whatam I doing? Why am I playing it down? He was a hero that day, no matter the exact circumstances.

‘It counts.’ He looks from me to the laptop. ‘Moving in together, huh?’

I feel weird having this conversation. Something doesn’t feel right.

‘I think so?’

He glances over at me, a single eyebrow raised. ‘You’re not sure? It sounded like it was set in stone the other day. Is moving in with him what you want?’ He forces an obviously uncomfortable smile as he pauses. ‘Are you happy with him?’ He stops typing and looks at me, his eyes pleading for me to give him an answer I’m not sure I can give.

‘I, uh – I don’t know anymore.’

‘I don’t want to push, Ambri, and your relationship is none of my business. I know that. Please know that you can always talk to me. About anything. Like you used to.’

I pick at my nail polish and stare down at my still-half-full plate. ‘I can’t talk to you about this. You’re part of the reason I don’t know what I feel for him anymore. My heart is more than conflicted, Henry.’

Henry nods, all emotion draining from his face. I watch as he forces a smile. ‘All I want for you is for you to be happy. If you are, I support whatever you do.’

‘Thanks.’

I know I told Claire I wasn’t sure how I felt for Noah anymore. But right now, I really like what I’m feeling sitting next to Henry. Because of that, how I feel for Noah is becoming more and more clear.

I distract myself with my sandwich, not really wanting to talk about Noah and I at all, right now. I feel good sitting next to Henry again, like a piece of me isn’t still missing as it has been. I glance over at him, hoping he doesn’t notice. His attention is on his food but he looks happier than I’ve seen him in a while. Almost like the Henry I used to know. I smile to myself, swallowing down the bite I just took and turn towards him. ‘I’m glad you’re back. It might be hard for me to admit, but I’ve missed doing this with you.’

His smile grows into one I know is real. ‘I’ve missed doing everything with you, Ambri.’

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