Page 22 (1/2)

“Mn” Henry sed another forkful of his dinner “Or perhaps you and Etienne have always had a deeper connection”

“What would you know about deep connections? You’re terh I hated being mean, and Henry was the last person who deserved it He was so kind It was annoying sometimes

He ate another bite and sipped his bubbly water before nodding

I asked, “And wait—do you think this…connection goes both ways? You think Etienne likes me? As…more?”

“Possibly Obaachan’s always said so She’s usually right about these things”

My pulse raced “You don’t think it would be weird if Etienne and I…” I wavedthrough me Wow Okay

Got together? That thought o boom

“He’s always made you smile like that”

“Huh?” I glanced down at the little square on the corner of eek Like so Etienne all these years?

“I don’t think it would be weird at all,” Henry said, eating the rest of his dinner and keeping me company on-screen while my head exploded, the whole world whipped off its axis, and I realized I’d wanted this for so, so long

And now I had to spend another night sharing the sa our friendship

Fuuuuuuck

Chapter Six

Etienne

Why had I thought the sauna was a good idea?

Sitting on the lower bench next to Sam, a foot or so between us, I stared at the fake rocks in the corner, rereading the sign in French and English warning not to pour water on the fake rocks in an electric sauna

It was either that or look at Sam with only a towel around his waist At least he wasn’t licking a candy cane

No! Don’t think about that!

I only wore a towel as well, and if I let my desire bubble up, it would be disastrous

“Okay?” Sam asked