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Back The Companion Project Save as PDF
Chapters (89)
  1. Dedication
  2. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  3. ONE
  4. HENRY
  5. TWO
  6. EMMA
  7. THREE
  8. HENRY
  9. FOUR
  10. EMMA
  11. FIVE
  12. EMMA
  13. SIX
  14. SEVEN
  15. HENRY
  16. EIGHT
  17. NINE
  18. TEN
  19. HENRY
  20. ELEVEN
  21. TWELVE
  22. EMMA
  23. THIRTEEN
  24. HENRY
  25. FOURTEEN
  26. HENRY
  27. FIFTEEN
  28. SIXTEEN
  29. EMMA
  30. SEVENTEEN
  31. HENRY
  32. EIGHTEEN
  33. HENRY
  34. NINETEEN
  35. HENRY
  36. TWENTY
  37. TWENTY-ONE
  38. EMMA
  39. TWENTY-TWO
  40. EMMA
  41. TWENTY-THREE
  42. HENRY
  43. TWENTY-FOUR
  44. EMMA
  45. TWENTY-FIVE
  46. EMMA
  47. TWENTY-SIX
  48. EMMA
  49. TWENTY-SEVEN
  50. HENRY
  51. TWENTY-EIGHT
  52. EMMA
  53. TWENTY-NINE
  54. HENRY
  55. THIRTY
  56. HENRY
  57. THIRTY-ONE
  58. HENRY
  59. THIRTY-TWO
  60. EMMA
  61. THIRTY-THREE
  62. HENRY
  63. THIRTY-FOUR
  64. EMMA
  65. THIRTY-FIVE
  66. EMMA
  67. THIRTY-SIX
  68. HENRY
  69. THIRTY-SEVEN
  70. EMMA
  71. THIRTY-EIGHT
  72. HENRY
  73. THIRTY-NINE
  74. HENRY
  75. FORTY
  76. EMMA
  77. FORTY-ONE
  78. HENRY
  79. FORTY-TWO
  80. FORTY-THREE
  81. EMMA
  82. FORTY-FOUR
  83. EMMA
  84. FORTY-FIVE
  85. HENRY
  86. EPILOGUE
  87. ALSO BY CHELSEA CURTO
  88. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  89. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In the last month, however, the satisfaction and contentment that have become familiar have shifted to curiosity, mingling with sadness and loneliness. The longer I’m alone, the less whole I’m becoming. The more I talked to JD—Henry—the more I understood how nice it was to have a person to share the small moments of the day with.

Someone to send a picture of my pretzel to, asking if it resembled a goldfish.

Someone to laugh about the Weekend Update skit on SNL with, exchanging YouTube videos of our favorite cold openings.

Someone to share my hopes and dreams, fears and hesitations with, and listening to theirs in return. Learning that Henry’s afraid of not meeting expectations from several different sources, and deep down he wants to be happy, in every sense of the word.

It was nice to be heard. Acknowledged and recognized. It made my heart soar, an optimistic beat lulling me to sleep with every text message we exchanged in the late-night hours as I curled up in my sheets, dreaming about what it would be like with him next to me, warm body pressing against mine.

If I had known it was Henry on the other side of the phone outright, I would have frantically shot down the idea of pursuing anything with him. Other than our job, we have nothing in common; he’s outgoing and loud while I’m more quiet and reserved. He prefers spending time out while I enjoy staying in. He’s the leading man, the center of attention, the life of every party, and I’m the extra in the background, overlooked and unseen.

Despite these stark differences, we drifted toward each other. No longer was indifference the sole emotion I harbored toward his presence. It morphed to passion. Excitement. Joy.

I was honest with JD when I said I would be interested in exploring a more meaningful arrangement with him. Has that changed now that I know it’s Henry?

I’m confused. Getting whiplash from the back and forth between keeping up with the two different identities, ultimately whittling down to one single person I can’t stop thinking about, no matter how hard I try.

Him.

Maybe tonight will help me sort through the bewilderment. Maybe the universe will give me a clear sign. A beacon. An omen that says: Yes, Emma, he’s safe. You can trust him. Or, more aptly: That’s attraction you’re feeling. Accept it. Welcome it.