Chapter 61: I Like Him More Than I Want To

"You like him?"

"More than I should," more than I want to, I finish in my head.

"Because he doesn't do relationships?" she asks.

"Yes. No. Partly. But also because I don't really know him. This isn't like me."

"You always did care too much," Ali grins.

"Yeah sure about sick animals and my friends and family," I'm laughing now, "but not about boys..." the last words a gentle whisper.

"No," Aileen agrees, "not boys... you always were slightly oblivious when it came to boys."

"Not oblivious," I sigh, "just not interested."

"Even Theo?"

Her eyebrow is raised again now. She's not convinced.

"Things with Theo have always been complicated. He's one of my best friends. I'd never want to ruin that."

"Even though he loves you?"

"He doesn't," I shake my head, "not in that way anyway."

"Hmmm, if you say so..."