"Mr. Calloway?"

My eyes snapped to Henry, who was standing in front of my desk, holding a manila folder in his hands. I hadn't heard him walk in. Straightening in my seat, I cleared my throat. "What?"

"Are you feeling okay? You didn't answer when I knocked, so I came in."

Sighing, I rubbed a hand across my forehead. He probably thought I'd fallen asleep again. "I'm thinking."

"Ah, I'll just leave this here then. It's just the information regarding the licenses for the hotel in Wailea. We've hired a Webmaster for the creation of the website."

"Thank you."

He nodded. "Then, I'll be going."

Before he could walk out the door, I spoke up. "Can I ask you a question? Not as your boss, but as a friend?"

His expression brightened. "Of course!"

"Let's say you know this girl and for some reason she is staying with you and it's been going great, but something came up where she wants to move out, but you don't want her to leave... how do you get her to stay?"

Henry blinked at me. "Are you asking me about Henley?"

I pressed my lips together, trying my best not to give him a sour look. Why did he have to be so keen? Couldn't he pretend like he didn't know? "Yes," I said after a moment. No use trying to lie to him.

"Well, you can't make her do what you want," he told me. "Henley is her own person. She has the right to decide what she wants to do."

"But I want her to stay."

"Have you tried asking her?"

"Yes, but she said she didn't want to put that kind of pressure on me. I don't think she wants to stay." I wondered if it was something I'd done. Was sleeping in the same bed too uncomfortable for her? Just being in my house? Was it because I offered to clean my brother's room? Did she think I felt forced to do that and not because I wanted to?

Henry smiled softly. "Just because she's moving out doesn't mean she wants to cut contact with you. Her brother just got out of jail, it makes sense for her to want to get a place with him."

"But he could move in too," I mumbled.

"Then Henley would feel even worse for imposing on you. She's very kind. She grew up without handouts. Taking them is likely to be very hard for her."

It was bad of me, but I kind of wished Henley's brother hadn't been released from jail. Then there would be no issue. She would stay. That is, until Sebastian readied the apartment for her. Did Sebastian even care how I felt?

Realizing how immature I was being, I groaned and dropped my head on my desk. What was happening to me?

Henry patted my shoulder. "There, there. Love makes you do crazy things."

My head shot back up. "Love?"

He gave me an innocent look. "Yes?"

"L-love...well...I..." I stuttered, trailing off, feeling the heat begin to rise on my cheeks.

"What?"

"I-it's not...I don't..."

He tilted his head to the side, tapping his fingers on his arm. "Hmm. Well, at least I love Henley."

I paused. "What?"

Henry nodded. "I love her a lot."

"Since when?" I demanded. Henry loved Henley? When had that happen? Had they even been around each other enough? I never thought Henry would be the type to go after someone I was after. "Do you think she would choose you? I've loved her for longer than you have!"

The words slipped out of my mouth and Henry brought his hands to his heart, his face scrunched up in delight. "Aww! I knew it!"

"You did that on purpose," I accused, my heart suddenly racing.

He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders, pushing up his glasses. "I didn't think you we're aware enough to come to that conclusion by yourself. I just helped you along."

My stomach tingled and I reached for the nearest thing to me— a box of tissues— and threw it at him. "Get out!"

"I'm so happy for you Bennett!"

"It's Mr. Calloway!"

"Right, yes, Mr. Calloway," he responded, dodging all the other items I was hurling at him. "I'll be able to be your best man!"

I stood up from my desk, just as Henry slammed the office door shut. My head felt like and I gripped the edges of my desk, waiting for the dizziness to wear off. Slowly, I sat back down, taking a huge breath of air.

Love? Love? Had I really just said that? I loved Henley? A mental picture of her popped into my mind, all determined blue eyes and soft skin and pretty hair. My heart skipped a beat and I clutched at it. Was this what all this was about? Love?

It made sense. I loved Henley.

I wasn't prepared for this. When was the last time I had a proper relationship? Henley and I didn't even have a proper relationship. And yet I'd gone and fallen head over heels for her? She might not even feel the same way. I ran my hands through my hair, mussing it up. "Ugh! What am I supposed to do?"

"I was about to ask you that myself."

I jumped; unaware that someone had entered the room. My mother frowned at me, a familiar look of disappointment on her face. "Is that girl still staying at your place?"

"That's none of your business," I snapped. This was not the right time for this conversation. Couldn't she say something without making it an attack?

"You changed your locks."

"Thanks for letting me know you tried to enter my home while I wasn't around. That's illegal, in case you're unaware."

Her lips curved further down than they already were. As always, she looked ready to strike out at any second. "I'm your mother."

"And that's my house."

"Recently I feel you've begun to disregard me," she spoke quietly. The quieter her voice grew, the more dangerous.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm down. She hadn't even started yet. I couldn't let her rile me up. "I'm sorry. I've been busy with the hotel in Wailea and the other work."

"And I'm sure hanging around with that coffee shop worker. I told you Bennett— she lied to you. She just wants your money. I know everything about her now. She lives alone. Makes minimum wage. She doesn't even attend college. She's not suitable for you. End it."

I tensed. My hands formed fists, my fingernails biting into my palms. She didn't know anything about Henley. She only knew whatever facts someone had scrounged up for her. I wouldn't have put it past her to tail Henley around. "This is none of your business."

"It is my business. It's about my business. I gave you time, Bennett. I made you a deal. That time and that deal are almost up. Are you bringing me that girl? I say no," my mother said coolly, examining the tips of her blood red nails. "If you picked up any girl in this hotel right now, I'm sure she'd be a better match for you than the coffee girl."

"Her name is Henley," I gritted out.

"I don't care what her name is. Finish up whatever you two have and leave her. I'll know if you don't."

"Are you listening to yourself?" I shouted. "This is my life, not yours! Didn't you learn from Lee how psycho you make people? Do you really want to go through that again?"

Her eyes narrowed into slits and her lips snarled. "How dare you mention Lee—"

I knew I shouldn't argue back at her. I knew I should take it in stride like I always did. But I was pissed. Every fiber of my being shook in anger. I wouldn't let her speak of Henley like that. "You're allowed to, but I'm not? We both know what happened to him is your fault."

"Bennett James—"

"Get out of my office."

"You don't tell me what to do."

I glared at her. "Get. Out."

My mother stood rigid, her shoulders heaving, not moving a step. I felt like I was going crazy. I'd never been this mad before. My pulse felt like it'd never settle and my vision was getting blurry. There was no way I was settling this in a mature manner right now. If I stayed, I'd only say worse things. I had to get out of the office and away from my mother.

Standing up from my desk, I snatched my keys off the holder and did my best to calmly walk to the door.

"If you speak to me like this again, I won't let it go," my mother said as I passed her.

I didn't even try to keep myself from slamming door as I exited. Henry was waiting outside, his face pale. I tossed him my keys. "Please drive me home."

"Of course," he said immediately, easily catching my keys.

Henry didn't say a word the whole drive to my place. I appreciated it. I'd only calmed down slightly and reliving it wouldn't help at the moment. Usually I could take whatever my mother said— I was used to it. But when it came to Henley there was no way I could let it slide.

I clenched my jaw. It was amazing what greed could do to some people.

"Call me when you're ready," Henry said as I climbed out of the car.

"Thank you," I answered.

It was just after seven. Henley would be home from work already. After typing in the passcode, I pulled open the door. The scent of something burning met my nose immediately. Some of the anger I felt dissipated, replaced with worry. I didn't bother to kick off my shoes as I hurried down the steps into living room.

Henley stood on the platform of the kitchen, looking embarrassed and guilty. "Sorry. I thought I'd surprise you with dinner and I accidentally burned it and didn't have the chance to air it out and oof—"

Her sentence was cut short as I pulled her into my arms, wrapping them around her tightly, pressing her face against my chest. She struggled to reposition herself so she could breathe. "Bennett?"

I held her tighter. "Just let me hug you for a moment."

Slowly she snaked her arms around my shoulders, hugging me back and not saying a word.

I breathed her scent in— coffee, after working the day at the shop. It was an amazing smell. I'd love the smell of coffee forever now.

"Um, the steak is still burning."

I immediately released her, wiping all expression off my face. She held up her finger signaling for me to wait a moment and then rushed back to the stovetop where a cloud of smoke was forming. Afraid my smoke alarm would go off, I quickly went to open some of the windows to air it out.

"Sorry. They're done now. But they probably won't taste good," she added in a mutter as she placed the black specimens onto the plates she laid out.

"I'm sure it'll be fine." But I really wasn't sure.

She pointed to a pot on the stove. "There's mashed potatoes. Those look alright. Everyone loves potatoes."

I snorted, covering my mouth a second too late. Henley gave me a dirty look and I laughed again.

"I try to do something nice for you and you laugh at me?"

Shaking my head, I tried to control my smile. "I appreciate this Henley. Really."

She crossed her arms, as if she thought I was being sarcastic.

I stared at her, amazed at how much better I felt already. It was a weird feeling knowing that by just seeing someone it could ease your worries.

I would never leave Henley because of my mother. My mother could threaten me any way she wanted to. It was a battle I was willing to fight.

Henley must've sensed something in my expression because she softened her look. "What's up? Did something happen?"

"Yes, but I'm fine now."

"You might be fine until you eat this steak."

"Will you continue to live here?"

My question caught her off guard. I closed the distance between us again. She tried to step back, bumping into the counter. "Bennett."

"Will you?" I repeated.

She swallowed, her eyes scanning mine. "I—"

I kissed her, pressing my body into hers, holding her in place so she couldn't move away. I didn't want her to move away.

I pulled back, taking in her flushed cheeks. "That's effective," she admitted.

"Dopamine tends to be."

"What? No, never mind. I don't want to know the connection. But you know I can't stay, Bennett," she sighed. "Brandon can't stay with Ariana forever. There's a reason why I chose to stay with you and not with her. The landlord is strict about the amount of people in her apartment."

"Your brother can stay here as well."

"I don't think he'd be comfortable."

I pursed my lips. "He could get used to it." He'd gotten used to jail, hadn't he? Surely this was better than jail. Certainly more clean.

Henley stood on her tip toes and hugged me, resting her chin on my shoulder. "You really want me to stay?"

I nodded firmly.

"You know, I kind of want to stay too."

She did? Then what was the problem? "I can clean up Lee's room, I'll do it today," I told her.

She shook her head. "No, Bennett. I want to stay, but I can't. I need my own place."

"Why?"

"I don't feel comfortable intruding in your space. It's not like when I move out I won't be coming back here. I'll still visit. I'll even stay over. But my brother and I need our own place and Sebastian is already buying a property to help us. I'm not going to tell him never mind."

"Sebastian," I growled.

Henley laughed, nudging me in the side with her elbow. "Come on. Let's eat. Stop worrying about me moving out."

Easier said than done. I was dreading the day. I'd be alone again.

Maybe that was what I was most afraid of.

I decided to keep that to myself. There was still some time, maybe I could convince her some other way later. We sat down at the dining table with our meals. The steak looked terrifying. I made sure to bring out the A1 sauce. The rest of it looked edible. Henley looked sheepish as she prodded at the meat.

"It's not awful," she said as she tried a bite. And then continued to chew it for the next few moments. "On second thought, if you don't want to die, you probably shouldn't eat it."

I bravely put a forkful into my mouth. Henley's eyes widened. I somehow managed to swallow. "Not bad."

"Sorry," she apologized. "I should've just ordered something."

"I'm fine with this."

"Next time it'll be better. I promise I'll practice."

Next time. I wanted to make sure there would be a next time. Henley deserved to know if my mother was planning something. "Are you scared of my mother?" I asked.

She scrunched up her nose. "No, but she's not exactly pleasant. No offense."

"She knows about you and isn't happy. She might try something."

Henley raised her eyebrows. "Like what? Shipping me to another country? Like in all those T.V shows?"

"Perhaps."

She laughed. "It wouldn't work. If she wants to try something, she can. You can't take anything away from someone who doesn't have anything. Don't worry about me, Bennett. I'll be fine."

"You have me," I said. I didn't like to here her say she didn't have anything. I'd give her everything if I could.

"You're right," she agreed. "That's all I need. If your mother wants to try anything, let her. I'm ready."

I nodded. I trusted Henley. My mother wouldn't be able to separate us. There was no way.

_______________________________

I'll be in NYC this October for the Wattcon! A bunch of other authors will be there too like AliNovak and KnightsRachel and DoNotMicrowave! We're all sharing an apartment and I'm super excited!! The tickets are free but you have to register, you can find the link on my twitter and I'll post it to my Wattpad soon! It's Saturday, October 1st at the Sanctuary theater! My twitter is

The Wattys are coming to an end so make sure you vote for the chapter! I don't remember how to do it on your phone. That star is somewhere. And thank to everyone who tweeted! We might have a chance! But we might not, since I've barely updated ):

Okay, it's 3AM. I'll edit this chapter when I wake up, but I'm exhausted right now. I didn't even watch the new episode of Let's Fight, Ghost! Tomorrow is a new day.

P.S I'm getting banners for HTL and drawings through Wattpad but it's much easier if you e-mail it to me or tweet it or instagram it! That way I can save it to my phone and stuff and make it easier to share here. I'm loving it, please send more! Choose whoever you'd like to play the characters!