“Oh, don’t mind me.” She waved at them to continue, and Henry scowled at her before facing Dom again.
He took off his gloves, not risking sap hair again, and rubbed the back of his neck, wondering what to say to fix this. “When you didn’t reply to my text, I thought you didn’t want to see me, and either you couldn’t find a good way to tell me, or just couldn’t be arsed.”
“Seriously?”
Henry suddenly had the feeling he’d monumentally cocked this up, just not in the way he’d first thought. “I—”
“If that’s what you thought of me, then maybe you were right. We really don’t know each other at all.” He gave Henry a long, considering look. “Goodbye, Henry.” With a small shake of his head, Dom turned and walked away.
Henry stood rooted to the spot, mouth hanging open. “Shit.”
“Don’t just stand there like an idiot,” Ella hissed, giving him a not-so-gentle nudge. “Go after him.”
“I don’t think—”
“No, you don’t, and that’s your problem.”
Henry glared at her, but maybe she had a point.
“Go,” she hissed again, reminding Henry of a spitting Cobra, coiled and ready to strike. Probably wise to get away, even if he wasn’t sure Dom would be any more welcoming.
And how fast did he fucking walk?
Henry ran to catch up with him, a little out of breath by the time he was close enough to slide in front of him. “I’m sorry.”
Dom came to an abrupt halt but still almost bowled Henry over. He grabbed Henry’s shoulders to stop him toppling over backwards. His scowl was still there, but Henry thought he saw the faintest twitch of his lips.
When Dom didn’t say anything, Henry realised with a sinking feeling this was all going to be on him.
Well, you were the one with all the assumptions.
He checked around to make sure whatever came out of his mouth wouldn’t offend anyone and noticed, for the first time, that they were in a little secluded spot behind a building he suspected might be the café. Out of sight of most people.
He took a deep breath.
Here goes.
“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. It was never just sex for me. Those seven days together were some of the best I’ve ever had, but while we do know each other in some ways, I guess we are strangers in others.”
Dom listened but said nothing.
Okay then.
“I missed seeing you every day, and I know it’s only been two weeks, but I didn’t want to lose the connection we’d made because I really like you. I wasn’t sure how you felt, though. You didn’t return the kiss on my first text.”Oh no, Henry, stop talking right now.
That got an eyebrow raise.
“Not knowing where we stood was killing me, so I took the plunge and asked you if you wanted to meet up. When you didn’t reply... well, I took it to mean you weren’t interested.” He held his arms out wide. “And here we are.”
“Yes, here we are.” Dom said, although Henry was none the wiser as to what was going on in his head. His expression softened and Henry held his breath. “I’m not sure which point to address first.” He sighed, breath misty in the chilly morning air.
“I’m going to be honest with you, Henry...”
Oh.Henry’s heart stuttered. Any hope he had died a quick death because surely, that didn’t bode well.
“When we left the holiday park, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see you again.”
Fuck.
