Henri stood up. Everyone’s eyes fell on him, their conversations ending quickly. Every move he made seemed to invoke some sort of hushed silence in the house.

“Where you heading off to?” Flynn asked. “Are you meeting up with blondie?”

Henri sighed. His mother perked up even more at the utterance of a female in Henri’s life.

“Blondie?” She looked between Flynn and Henri.

Henri’s father leaned back in his seat a pleased grin on his face. “Thatta boy.”

“Why would you say that?” His mom asked. She glued her callous stare on his father. Henri knew what was coming next. “Have a little decency, Doug.”

“He’s a grown man, what would you rather me be doing, scolding him and sending him to his room for liking a girl?” They both stared at one another, daring each other to say anything else. His parents were like those knights back in the old days, jousting each other from horses at a high rate of speed.

“Her name is Maven. And that’s all I care to discuss with anyone. I’m sure Aunt Janet would be willing to fill you in.” He pulled his chirping phone from his pocket. “That’s her now and I’m late.”

His father stood. “Invite her over. We want to meet her.”

His mother sat back in her chair. She lifted her orange juice, refusing to agree with her ex-husband although she felt the same way.

Henri shook his head, looking down at his phone.

I’m outside your house, and you’re in trouble.

He winced at the sound of the doorbell. His father was already heading to the door to see what girl was willing to pay him attention.

Henri groaned.

Maven was a bit surprised to see an unfamiliar man answering the door to Henri’s house. But she knew the minute she looked at him that he was Henri’s father. It was the smile. The same big smile that was a tad crooked and reached his eyes and made them turn into little slits—just as attractive as his son.

He waved a hand, and then accepted hers. His skin warm and his nails perfectly manicured.

“I’m Doug Levitt.” He opened the door wider letting her in. “Henri was just telling us about you.”

Maven pushed some hair behind her ear. “Really?”

He nodded dramatically. “Oh yeah, but he left out the part about just how beautiful you were.”

Henri rounded the corner in time to see his father’s pathetic flattery pan out. He wasn’t one of those creepy older men, he just was too complimentary.

“Hey,” he said to Maven, running a hand through his hair. “I would have got out of here sooner, but as you can see...” He nodded toward his dad.

“Are you hungry, Maven?” His father asked, ignoring Henri’s attempt at taking off.

“No, I already ate, but thank you for asking.” She smiled warmly.

“Darn.” His dad looked between the two of them. “So what are the plans for the day?”

Henri grabbed Maven by the arm before she could answer and practically shoved her up the stairs. She looked back at Henri’s father and gave an apologetic wave. He waved back, shaking his head as he went back into the kitchen with the rest of the family.

“Henri what was that?” Maven asked as soon as he closed his bedroom door.

He tried to hide behind a smile. Coming close and wrapping his arms around her waist.

“I missed you. And I wanted to see you. Not here with my family, just the two of us.” He pushed her bangs from her eyes. “My dad likes to talk. It would have taken forever to have a moment alone.”

Maven scanned his eyes. She wasn’t sure what was happening. But she felt a bit awkward.

“I missed you too.” She moved away, her feet clicking soundly across Henri’s floor. She took a seat. “I wanted to apologize for the way that I’ve been acting.”

Henri waved his hand dismissing the attempt. “No need.”

“I feel like there is, Henri.”

He sat down across from her in the window seat. Drawing up his legs, the only reason he swept Maven away so fast was because he didn’t want his father or anyone hearing about the Hop later on that night. Not to hear any kind of explanation for her feelings towards another guy. Good or bad, he didn’t want to talk about it.

“I could think of better things to talk about than Jake Summit.” He told her. “Like the Hop.”

Maven looked away. “About the Hop. I was thinking since you were never too keen on the idea that we just do something else.”

Henri squeezed the bridge of his nose in frustration. “You’re bailing. Why are you bailing?”

“I feel so bad for the other day. I acted like an idiot. You don’t deserve to be treated that way. You deserve answers and to not feel like I like someone else.” She moved closer, taking Henri’s hand. He thought for certain she was about to break the news, that she and Jake found their way back to each other.

“Maven—” he said, trying to object.

“Henri. I don’t have feelings for Jake Summit. It was never about Jake. I have feelings for someone else.” She smiled artfully. Henri was relieved.

“I knew it.” He dropped his head dramatically. “John at the Barber shop. You have a thing for old men with knee-high socks don’t you?”

Maven laughed. “Absolutely, the older the better, I really dig false teeth.”

They both stopped laughing and grew serious. Henri’s expression remained frozen as he waited for Maven to hand over a real answer.

“He’s charming. And sweet. Thoughtful. Caring. Cute as a button. He makes me laugh, a lot.” She moved closer. “He has brown hair and matching brown eyes. The best smile I have ever seen. And when he kisses me…my heart beats so fast I think it’s going to come right out of my chest.” She looked at Henri. He was smiling.

“Does this guy have a name because I am starting to get the feeling I know him.” His fingers traced the length of her face. Her eyes softened at his touch, as he looked at her.

“Don’t be foolish. It’s you.” She leaned in, placing a kiss on his cheek. “I was afraid to tell you this.”

“Why?”

Maven rested her head on his shoulder so she wouldn’t have to look at him. She touched his chest with her hand. “Because you have to deal with something that I can’t even begin to imagine and I didn’t want to burden you with my feelings.”

“Because I’m going to die.” His words hit her like a ton of bricks, but Henri didn’t allow her to pull away. “I would rather deal with a beautiful girl having feelings for me than just sitting around waiting on death, Maven.”

“I didn’t know that. I didn’t know what was right or wrong. I was starting to feel bad all the time because I like you and the more I like you the worse I feel. And I hate to admit that.”

Henri pursed his lips. Maven sat up, looking into his eyes. He hadn’t said anything back.

“You think I’m awful.” She stood up. “I am so sorry.”

“Maven.” Henri jumped up. “I don’t. Calm down. I think you’re normal. You’re not the first person in my life to freak out about the thought of me dying. Why do you think I keep to myself? My family treats me like a fragile piece of china every day because of it. I can handle it.”

“Ok.” Was all she could push out.

Henri could see the alarm on her face. “You’re the only person who treats me normal.”

She shook her head, tears nipping at her eyes. “But I don’t. I just go around acting like it’s not there.”

“I like that.” He smiled. “I don’t want you to be afraid of me. I’m still Henri, I’m just…dying.” Henri walked across the room, pulling her in for a hug. “It’s okay to admit that, because even after I say it, I realize I’m still me.”

Maven held tight, her fingers squeezing his t-shirt, holding on for dear life. It was a relief to hear him say something about it.

“I don’t want to go to the Hop because it wasn’t something you wanted to do.”

Henri shook his head. “I want to go.”

“No, you’re going because I want to go.” She argued.