Expert

I wanted to hate Hugh so, SO much. But alas. I'm a sucker for grand gestures🙈

Because how dumb was he not to see what was right in front of him? 3 years (and 7 months, 11 days) later is CRAZY!

At that point I was convinced that nothing he could do would make me like him again.

They were so in love! These guys were dating lol. The nighttime calls. The daytime calls. The shopping trips. THIS is how they choose to distance themselves 💀How domestic. How cute.

I honestly thought this book was going the direction of not being bondmates and choosing each other regardless 😫.

Then Hugh had to go ruin it. To be fair, I know it's a bit hypocritical to blame him, but he's 15 years older and knew better. He knew better and he still walked away because it was complicated and I —my boor baby Eric😭😭😭

"Content enough. "

"My marriage could be worse."

I usually love AH's use of body betrayal but this was one time I really hated it because I felt like Eric deserved a good grovel to get him back.

I wish they'd not met by chance because once again, I feel like Eric deserved to be courted intentionally, to the exclusion of all else. Just 22 and a wealth of experience in being the object of scorn and ridicule.

And then to prove to the world that he's the slag they always thought him to be? 💀

C'mon, man. This kid can't catch a break.

But I guess, given the circumstances available, Hugh tried. He tried.

With a little bit of arrogance.

"No one will make you happier than me.” (Damn, talk your shit, Hugh!)

And a little bit of obstinacy. (FUCKING, FINALLY, ISTG!)

"Go."

"No."

“No,” Hugh said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

And a little bit of fuck everyone and everything except you.

“But that would be so humiliating for you,” Eric said with the cutest little frown.

Hugh shrugged. “I can bear a few smug ‘I told you so’ comments from my colleagues if it means I can protect you.”

The last one sold me, ngl. Took him time. But he eventually got there.

Today we stan an MC who eventually gets there. So, 3 cheers for Hugh.

God, this is such an unmoanable name. Even when things work out for Eric, he still can't catch a break.