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"I mean I know Ellie very well, I know if she has emotions she would like to tell him in person.  Maybe do it over video chat." Henry touched the billard cue in front of him unconsciously as he used it to shoot his shot.  His arms jerked uncomfortably as they was overextended. He made a low his of discomfort as he slowly gathered his thoughts. Henry had never considered that he might have ruined Ellie's plans for herself.  She may have cast aside the previous lover once she had found out her death was looming. It was no surprise then that she too had been considering ways in which they could quickly extricate themselves from each other.

Recalling some of their earlier conversations, Henry remembered that when Ellie had wondered if he would like to remain married as they were she had an edge of fright as if she had anxiety over his intentions.  Once he had explained his actions and reiterated his feelings about Nadia, she had grown visibly lighter in mood. Now that he reconsidered her actions, it made good sense. It was very prudent to do so from a legal perspective from her pre-law background.  Maybe she had come to the same conclusions as Chou, the family lawyer. It was a good thought that she too had someone waiting when she was free.

It was just fate had thrown them a rainy day.  Soon when this was all over, the clouds would pass and he would happily been in the arms of the woman he loved.  He was glad too that the partner in misery too had a bright future with someone else ahead of her. Maybe this was why they had not gone over the set boundaries in the relationship.  Her mind was occupied. He felt a weird fluttering in his heart as he wondered if this Himanshu was really as good of a man as he had hoped.

He couldn't help cursing his own instincts.  Henry knew that it was biology that made him want to keep the door between them open now that it was tightly closed.  He didn't like that his choices narrowing felt as a too tight as a necktie around his neck. It was selfish of him to want two women at once.  He was better than his father.

Nolan cleared his throat as he shot again.  There was the soft sound of the cue hitting the ball as he missed the open pocket.  Michael appeared with a white paper bag with the Wong company logo embossed in gold on the side.  He set it quietly on the armchair that had the tattering messenger bag that Nolan favored. As the elder man turned to leave, Henry could see a newer bag of the same type peaking below.  Nolan turned with surprise and quickly dropped his stick to look it over. "I've wanted a new bag for months, but couldn't afford it. This looks absolutely amazing. Will it match? Does it look professional?"

"Of course it will and yes it does look business casual." Henry took both of the cues and put them on the rack. The mood for continuing the game had passed as Nolan opened the bag to see his altered goods.  "I know you're excited, but don't forget. She was interested in you before you got your new clothing. A better jacket doesn't change you at all. You should just feel more ready to approach her and you're pursuing her not because she's a prize, but because you want to take care and be there for her.  It's only then that she'll look at you as being a part of her life."

Nolan blushed.  "That sounds incredibly forward and unlike me.  But I do feel that is probably what separates a single man from a married one.  I guess you are qualified after all to give me advice as that's how you won over Ellie."

"Win her?  Maybe." Henry smiled as considered the thought.

Then surprising him more.  Nolan put on his coat and ran over to him like an excited kid after getting his birthday presents.  Then he enveloped him in a giant bear hug. "I can't believe this. I really need to stop thinking you'd be such a tool.  Thanks for everything and taking the time to make everything personal. But I have to get to reading and making sure my tutoring kids aren't failing out.  I'll try with Wu. But don't tell Ellie."

"You don't think this is going to work."

"No, I like to have low expectations for myself and then get surprised if things work out."

"Strange, but if you want it that way I guess more power to you."