Xavier looked up at Henry, trying to keep hisposure. "Really? Eleanor never mentioned that to me."


    "Xavier." Henry leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Don''t you get it? Eleanor''s been stringing you along while getting cozy with this other guy. She''s using you." Xavier stared at him in disbelief for a moment. "Eleanor? Using me? What for?" "Think about it! She divorcedn less than a year ago, and now she''s suddenly flirting with you? Isn''t it obvious? She wants to get back atn."


    "Watch your words, Henry. Eleanor''s never tried to seduce me," Xavier shot back, immediately correcting him.


    Henry sighed. "I''m just worried about you, that''s all."


    "At the moment, Eleanor and I are just friends. We haven''t defined anything between us. She''s free to be as close as she wants with anyone. I have no right to interfere."


    Henry shook his head in disbelief. "Xavier, with everything you have going for you, you could have any woman you wanted. Why-"


    Xavier cut him off. "You''ve got it all wrong, Henry. From the very start, I''ve been the one chasing her. If anyone''s intentions are questionable, it''s mine, not hers."


    Henry let out a frustrated breath. “Xavier, do you hear yourself? Do you know how many women would kill to marry you? And you''re willing to just be Eleanor''s backup n?"


    Xavier''s eyes narrowed. "And what about you? You''ve been Vanessa''s fallback guy for, what, four or five years now?"


    Henry froze, caught off guard. It took him a moment to respond. "That''s different. You and I aren''t the same."


    Xavier sighed softly. "Sorry. I shouldn''t have hit a nerve."


    Henry managed a bitter smile. "You''re right. I am her second choice. Ifn marries her, I''ll walk away. But ifn-"


    Xavier watched his friend, at a loss for words. For a moment, the office was thick with silence.


    Then curiosity got the better of him. "Where did you even get that photo?"


    Henry hesitated, not answering right away.


    But Xavier had already figured it out. The only people who could have taken that kind of picture were close to Eleanor.


    "Fine. It was Faye Yeaton, Vanessa''s little sister. She took it, but don''t me her. I asked for it."


    Xavier didn''t seem angry. He just turned his coffee mug slowly, saying nothing. Henry watched him intently. "Xavier, if—and I''m just saying if—Eleanor really is using you to get back atn, what would you do?"


    Xavier was quiet for a moment, then suddenly grinned. "Honestly? I''d almost prefer that. At least then she''d be willing to marry me."


    "You''re insane!" Henry was exasperated.


    "Maybe I am. But listen, Henry-remember this: from the very beginning, I''ve been the one chasing Eleanor. Ian knows and he''s fine with it. I''d appreciate it if you stayed out of it."


    "You''re hopeless," Henry muttered, shaking his head.


    Xavier met his gaze, steady and unwavering. "I know Eleanor''s worth it, even if she never chooses me in the end."


    Henry opened his mouth, then just let out a long sigh.


    After a beat, Xavier nced at him, suddenly thoughtful. "Henry, do you really thinkn feels nothing for Eleanor anymore?"


    Henry hesitated. "Even if he did regret the divorce,n''s not the type to go back to an ex."


    Xavier nodded slowly. "You''re right about that."