I pat the cushion next to me on the couch. “Sit,” I say, as if I’m talking to Zach.
He does, which both surprises me and doesn’t.
“He’s a nice guy, obviously, and he helped you,” Henry says. “Why haven’t you gone for coffee with him?”
“Because I don’t want him.” The truth snaps out and sits there.
“Is he?—”
“For God’s sake, Henry, he’s a great guy. He’s nice, good-looking, successful. A knight in shining armor rescuing a damsel in distress. A perfect match for me. And I don’t fucking want him.”
A smile edges onto his lips.
“You wanted honesty,” I say. “There it is. Bare bones. Warts and all. A perfect man fell into my lap, saved my life, and I don’t want him.”
Does he get the subtext? Henry’s a smart man. But also a bullheaded one.
We look at each other until my heart stumbles and a giant yawn splits my face.
“You’re falling asleep sitting up,” he says. “Why don’t you go on back to bed?”
“I’m not tired.” Lie. “And I don’t want?—”
“You need a room with a door.” He looks down the hallway. “One you can lock. It’ll help.”
“With what?”
“With us not doing something stupid.”
“Like what?” My tone turns lighter than I feel.
He furrows his brow. “I think you know what.”
We stare again. We could do this all night.
Maybe I want to do something stupid. But maybe Henry isn’t ready. Maybe he’s not supposed to have sex. Doctor’s orders. Though if he can drive…
“Are you going to bed?” I ask.
He clears his throat. “Zach and I are going to sleep out here. On the couch.”
“With the fire…”
“Yeah. The storm really cooled the weather, and we need the fire for light, so…”
“I’ll stay too.”
He eyes the couch. “There isn’t room.”
“I’ll sleep on the floor.” What am I thinking?
I’m not sure, except that I don’t want to be alone in a strange house with no power and a storm still rattling the walls. I’m shaken up after telling the story of the attack. I really haven’t dealt with it. I’ve shoved it onto the back burner along with Henry so I can get through the seminar.
And I want…
I want…
“On the floor?” he says.
