Risk-Taker (Mixed Messages #3)

As promised, here's me binge-reading through yet another author. This time, we have Lily Morton's Mix Messages series. The third novel is titled "Risk-Taker."

["Being in love with your best friend is hard.

Henry’s the odd man out. All his friends are settling down, and his reputation as the Hook-Up King of London seems more like a curse than a blessing these days. Especially when it keeps photojournalist Ivo, his best friend and the brilliant man he’s loved since they were fifteen, at arm’s length. But that’s where Ivo wants him, right? Putting aside his feelings, Henry decides to give up casual sex and look for the real deal. After all, he has no chance with Ivo - or does he?

Henry is everything to Ivo. Best friend, soul mate, the one person who has never let him down. The one person he is loyal to above everything and everyone. But Henry’s in a box marked best friend and that’s where Ivo’s kept him for nearly twenty years, despite steadily falling in love with the gentle man. And besides, why would Henry want to date Ivo? Burned out and injured, he’s the walking embodiment of damaged.

Distance has helped Henry and Ivo keep a lid on their attraction, but when they find themselves in the same city for a change—Ivo hurt and needing assistance, and Henry more than willing to provide it—the two best friends grow closer than ever, forcing a realization, and a decision. Risk their friendship for their hearts? Or can they have both?"]

You could tell from the very first chapter (which was in Henry’s pov) that Ivo had very, very similar feelings, which only made the feeling of pining and angst and get-your-heads-out-of-your-arses-and-look all the more strong. 

I’d say poor Henry, but Ivo was an idiot too. Gabe tried to tell both of them, multiple times, that their feelings were reciprocal and to just talk it out, but they refused to listen.

But like, they were really fucking sweet and protective and happy-if-the-other-is-happy. And really fucking hot, like a love declaration shouldn’t have been so hot.

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