Chapter 9 #3
“Okay, okay. That’s enough. You know my story.
What happened after Dorian and I left the other night?
” I ask, moving the conversation to more uncomplicated grounds.
Or at least that’s what I think I’m doing until I see Henrietta’s expression slip.
For the first time in a long time, I see vulnerability in her gaze.
“Honestly, absolutely nothing,” she says, her shoulders slumping.
“Nothing?” I question.
“Nothing,” she confirms.
“Does this require something stronger than tea?” I ask, glancing at Elizabeth, who nods and strides towards the fridge, pulling out a bottle of chilled Rosé before gathering three wine glasses from the cupboard. She pours us all a glass, and we both wait as Henrietta takes a sip of her wine.
“After you and Dorian left, Logan stood outside my house the whole night. Or at least I think he stood there the whole night. I checked periodically until about three in the morning after asking him to come inside for the millionth time. When he refused, I decided to finally go to bed.” She sighs, taking another sip of wine.
“When I woke up at about ten the next morning, he was gone.”
“Why on earth would he stand outside your house all night? That’s just bizarre,” Elizabeth says.
“My thoughts exactly. It was weird… And strangely hot. I was so turned on I could’ve combusted. He came back last night and did the same thing, the infuriating man. When I questioned him, he just told me to go inside and lock the damn door.”
I pull a face. Henrietta notices.
“What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything” I protest.
“Edie, you’ve got the guilty look of a seven-year-old caught with their fingers in a biscuit tin after expressly being told not to eat before dinner. Tell me.”
“I may have told him about Gareth,” I blurt out.
“Well, shit. That explains some of it, I guess,” Henrietta muses.
“You mean Henrietta’s ex? The one she punched because he was an arsehole,” Elizabeth asks, swallowing a mouthful of wine.
“Sorry. It kind of slipped out.”
“That’s okay. I guess he was being protective, which was odd, given he didn’t really seem to like me all that much.”
“Dorian said he did,” I say.
“But why wouldn’t Logan come inside? He didn’t need to stand sentry all night. He could’ve been warming me up in my bed instead. I made it very clear that I wanted him.”
“Maybe that’s why,” I muse, then grimace as Henrietta frowns. “Sorry, I didn’t mean…”
“No, it’s okay. I know I’m overwhelming for most people.
I just thought, despite how he was with me, he was playing hard to get and did actually want to sleep with me.
I got this vibe from him, like he was holding back, not because he didn’t want me, but because he did.
I thought he was being a gentleman, if not a prickly one.
” She laughs ruefully. “This is embarrassing. I threw myself at him.”
She groans, dropping her head into her hands.
“No, don’t be embarrassed. You were just being yourself. I love who you are. You’re an amazing person, Henrietta,” I insist.
“So amazing that the man I’m lusting after spent two nights standing in my front garden instead of in bed with me? Maybe Dorian ordered him to do it after hearing what you said. They took pity on me.”
“No, that’s not the impression I got from Dorian.Who definitely said Logan likes you.”
Henrietta huffs. “Liking someone is not the same as wanting to fuck them. I’m clearly not his type.”
“Oh, I don’t know, the majority of men will get into bed with a woman just for their vagina…” Elizabeth's voice trails off as she winces. “Sorry.”
“It’s the truth, though. I’m such an idiot. I came on way too strong and scared him away.”
“I don’t know Logan well, but I get the impression that he won’t do anything he doesn’t want to.
He stood guard because he likes you. Likes you in the way that makes him concerned for your safety.
I’m pretty certain a man like him wouldn’t bother if he didn’t care, and if he cares, then he more than likes you. ”
“Then why didn’t he just come inside?” Henrietta asks, confused and a little hurt.
“I have no idea, but maybe tonight you’ll get the chance to find out,” I suggest.
“He’s not coming back. He left me a note this morning,” she says, digging her fingers into her pocket and pulling out a piece of crumpled paper. She smooths it out on the counter, and both Elizabeth and I lean in to read.
“Problems sorted. Next time choose a better boyfriend,” Elizabeth reads. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Henrietta groans. “I’m honestly scared to find out.”
“Jesus, who have you two got involved with?” Elizabeth asks, eyes wide.
“I think it’s time we find out,” I say, chugging back my glass of wine.
“How?” Henrietta asks, flicking her gaze to me.
“Dorian invited us both to his home Saturday night for dinner. You can ask Logan what he meant by his note, then.”
“Logan’s going to be there?”
“Apparantly so,” I reply.
Elizabeth places her glass on the counter. “Well, if you think either of you are going without me, you can think again, because you’re clearly both incapable of making good decisions, and you definitely need someone whose body isn’t ruled by raging hormones and the desire to fuck dangerous men.”
I probably should argue, but she’s got a point.