In the Silks by Lisa Wilde

New York. She was a dancer, and so they ran in similar circles. They had clicked immediately, bonding over their love of dance clubs and Tom Hardy. She looked like a delicate young thing, her hair long and strawberry blond and her petite frame. She was fierce though and that was what Ryan loved about her so much.
    “Well, for right now you’re here and you need to make the best of it. To be honest I’m a bit surprised. You seemed to be handling it well a few days ago.
    What about that Adonis out there?” She jutted her chin in the direction of the living room.
    When she asked the question, he reluctantly lifted his head a bit to look before answering her. He knew who she was talking about but he needed a beat to collect his thoughts before answering, because there was plenty he could say. He trusted her implicitly. However, he didn’t want to share too much about how he felt too soon because she would jump on that real quick. Truth was, he was still feeling the loss of Cameron in his life somewhat. Not because he wanted them to get back together, but it’s never easy to lose someone who was such a big part of your everyday life. Someone that you’d shared everything with whether they were a boyfriend or simply a friend.
    “Who, Henry?” he feigned confusion.
    “Don’t try to play coy with me, Ryan Mallory. I want info, now.” She gave him a stern look and a tug to the top of his hair.
    “ Oww , okay be nice!” he laughed, “Well, we went to college together, but we only met once toward the end of senior year at a party.” Ryan cleared his throat and absently rubbed his hand up and down his stomach thinking about that night. “We messed around a bit. He left, and we never talked again. He messaged me not long ago. I invited him here, and that’s that.” He didn’t want to tell her yet that he had dreamed about that Adonis constantly over the past six years. He played that scenario out so many times in his mind before they had lunch. If he had not just had lunch with Henry, would he have given up that easily?  He was still wondering about that one.
    “Sure Ry, how stupid do you think I am? I know there’s more. I can see your little gears turning right now.” She swirled a finger in front of his head.
    He swatted her hand away. “Hey, there is nothing little about me, thank you very much.” They were both laughing when he heard someone clear their throat. He looked up to see Adon- err, Henry standing there, looking awkward and uncomfortable. Add that to the list of things that made Ryan want him. There was something so sincere about him that Ryan was drawn to. He was so shy, reticent but Ryan had gotten a small glimpse of another Henry, and he’d wanted to see so much more.
    “Hi!” Shay said to Henry not moving from her spot.
    “Hi.” Henry waved at Shay and smiled, “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
    “No interruption, we were just talking about all the fun things Ryan plans to do now that he’s back in Boston.” Ryan watched in horror as Shay blatantly assessed Henry. He nudged her in the side.
    “ Oww , now who’s not being nice?” She rubbed her side and stood up walking toward the open doorway.
    “Hey, Henry come here.” Ryan waved Henry over. “Did you meet Shay yet? She’s one of my best friends. She drove from New York tonight to see me.”
    “Nice to meet you Henry; I’m going to get a drink. Can I get you boys anything?”
    They both said no, at the same time.
    She turned and gave Ryan a wink before leaving the room.
    Ryan didn’t sit up, just propped himself up on his elbows, before addressing Henry. “What’s up? Aren’t you having fun?”
    “Yeah I am, but I think it’s time I head out. I wanted to say thanks,” Henry said clearing his throat. The discomfort clear on his face, at least Ryan thought so anyway.
    “Why? It’s still early.” Ryan rolled over and stretched to look at the clock on the night stand before rolling back to face Henry. “It’s like eleven.