One Week Later…

Dahlia’s Point of View

Today I was finally going into HES Records to do a photo shoot with the Jensen Brother’s, one of the bands Harry was managing. I had mixed feelings as I worked my way through the busy sidewalk to Harry’s office building, but I was trying to remain calm.

I hadn’t seen him since we drove back together from Albany, but we’ve exchanged a few texts throughout the week. Although they mainly concerned when I’d come in to shoot the band, I was happy he wasn’t ignoring me at least.

I took a deep breath as I entered the tall building and prepared myself to face Harry. I shouldn’t be getting so nervous—we have been friends for too long. Things will be how they always have been, and we both agreed we preferred a friendship over nothing. Like Harry said, perhaps one day we can venture into something more, but for now, a platonic friendship is all that seems appropriate.

Once inside, I give my name to the woman at the front desk and she tells me to head up to the thirtieth floor where Harry’s office is. I take the elevator and hope things aren’t too awkward, and that this day turns out better than the lonely week I’ve just had.

“Dahlia, what’s up?” I turn to see Vince smiling with a pair of drumsticks in his hand. “You ready for the shoot?”

I return a smile and hold up my camera bag. “Of course. How are you?”

“I’m great. It’s good to see you again.”

“You too… Well I need to go find Harry, but I’ll see you in a bit.”

He nods as I begin my search for Harry’s office. My heart begins to race once I see the door with his name on it.

I begin to knock, but the door swings open before I get the chance, revealing the always good-looking Harry. “Lia, you made it."

I nod and smile. “Where do you want me?”

“I thought you weren’t coming,” he states, almost surprised that I actually came.

“Well I couldn’t bail on you again,” I joke to lighten the mood.

He laughs, and I get lost in the deep sound along with his showing dimples. How did I ever resist this man for ten years? “Yeah, we’ve been planning this for awhile, haven’t we?”

“Yes, but I’m here now,” I smile. “So where are we going to do this?”

“In the Great Room on the twenty third floor. We have a set all put up, the guys are just finishing up in wardrobe.”

I nod, waiting for further instructions. This was the awkward part I was dreading. It’s like we don’t have anything to talk about other than work.

Thankfully, Harry breaks the silence. “Lia, I just… I know I’ve been a little distant this week, but I’m not trying to push you away.” He runs a hand through his long curls as he sighs. “I want you in my life, but I don’t trust myself sometimes. I hope you understand why we can only be friends…”

I search his face and can tell it was extremely difficult for him to admit all of that to me. As much as his words hurt, I know that this is how things need to be. It is for the best, and we need to be adults and accept that.

“I do understand, Harry. I’m just glad we can still be friends.” I give in and stand on the tip of my toes to wrap my arms around his neck in an embrace. I just needed to feel him, if only for a few seconds.

When his arms wrap around my middle, I feel that all is right in the world.

“Well, we should get down there. I’m sure everyone’s waiting. You ready?” He asks, moving to turn off the lights in his office.

“Yep.” I follow him back to the elevator and hope things won’t always be this hard.

---

Four hours later, the guys are exhausted and the memory card to my camera is full of pictures. I don’t think I’ve laughed as hard as I did today in years, and it was just the thing I needed. Those boys are hilarious.

Harry stayed to direct the look of the shot before announcing he trusted me and had to head back up to his office to get some work done. Now that the shoot had ended, the guys invited me to join them at a bar just down the street, and I didn’t have the heart to decline. It was amazing how fast we had all clicked. I felt like I knew them for longer than a few weeks. They were fun guys and good company, so since I didn’t have any friends in the city besides Harry, I was currently walking with them to this bar.

It was only until my phone began vibrating and Harry’s face flashed across the screen when I realized that I never told him we were done and heading out to celebrate.

I answered the call hoping he wouldn’t be upset. “Hey.”

“Hey, where are you guys? I just went down to check on you and you’re gone.”

I cringed and motioned for the Vince, Tucker and Marco to go in without me while I finished talking to Harry outside. “The guys invited me to The Brew after we finished.”

“Oh… So you’re all done? How did it go?”

“It went great. I got some good one’s—I’ll start going through and editing them tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

And back to the awkward silence… “Do you want to come meet us for a drink? We just got here,” I offered.

He was silent for a few seconds before he responded. “No, I still have a shitload of work here. Have fun though.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been working all day, I’m sure the world won’t end if you take a break to get a drink or two,” I smile to myself. I guess I just really wanted him here with me.

“It just might,” he laughed once. “Thanks for the offer, but I really have too much to do. Be safe, Lia.”

“Always am,” I say before the line goes dead.

I sigh as I tuck my phone back into my purse and head inside to find the guys. On my way to the table that’s already holding a pitcher of beer, I decide that I will have fun, with or without Harry. I moved here to move on with my life and start over. I would gladly do that with Harry by my side, but I can’t continue to depend on him for my own happiness.



An hour later, I’m laughing at something Marco says and sipping on my fourth… or fifth? margarita. The drinks have been flowing steadily all night, and we’re all having a great time. I’ve learned a lot about the three members of the band, and start to feel proud that I’m making new friends.

Marco and Tucker decide to go play darts at some point, leaving me and Vince alone at the table. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol I’ve consumed, or I just never got close enough to notice, but he’s very attractive, and I can’t take my eyes off him as he tells me about growing up in New Jersey.

We spend a couple more hours at the bar before leaving, and I’m definitely drunk. I’m pretty sure the guys are too, but I can’t really tell.

“I had so much fun tonight! You guys are great. You better remember me when you get all famous!”

The three boys chuckle as we head outside. Vince wraps his arm around my waist, and I pretend it’s not because I’m drunk and stumbling over my own feet. I’ve missed feeling someone so close to me.

“We could never forget you, Dahlia! You’re are favorite girl.” I smile over at Marco and rip away from Vince’s grip to go hug him.

“You guys are my favorite.”

“Guys, I’m gonna take Dahlia home, can you manage to get back to the apartment on your own?” Vince asks.

I assume the say yes because the next thing I know me and Vince are alone in a taxi together, and he’s giving the driver my address.

“You okay?”

I nod and lean my head on his shoulder. “His head won’t stop moving.” I point at the driver who’s head looks like it’s doing a 360°.

Vince laughs and puts an arm around my shoulder. “You are so drunk right now.”

“I am not!”

“Are to.”

“Whatever. I am. I haven’t been drunk in awhile.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I tell him. “I’ll probably be puking tomorrow!”

“I can stay with you if you want me to,” Vince offers.

“I’ll be okay. I’m sure you have better things to do than take care of a girl who can’t hold her liquor.”

“Not really,” he laughs. “Come on, we’re here, angel.”

I take the hand he offers to me and get out of the cab after he pays the driver. I follow him inside and to the elevators while trying to find my keys in my purse. When I find them, he takes them from me and lets us inside.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks. It’s a little lonely, but it’s mine.”

“Let’s get you to bed.”

He finds his way to my bedroom and instructs me to change into my pajamas while he gets me a glass of water from the kitchen.

When he returns, I’m sitting on my bed, still in my jeans and tank top. “I can’t feel my fingers.” I giggle as I attempt to unbutton my jeans for the tenth time. God. I am so drunk.

Vince laughs at my struggle and crosses the room in four long strides. “Let me help.”

I probably wouldn’t let him undress me if I wasn’t so drunk, but for now, I allow it. He aids me with the removal of the rest of my clothes, and I don’t even care that I’m standing in front of him in my bra and panties.

“Drink some water,” he demands quietly and holds out the glass to me.

I take it from his hands and gulp down the cool water. Man, I was thirsty. “Thank you.”

He takes the glass back and sets it on my bedside table before pulling the comforter back on my bed. “Get in, angel.”

I giggle as I get under the covers. “I am no angel, Vince Jensen.”

“I beg to differ,” he counters, pulling the blankets up to my chest.

“Thanks for bringing me home.”

“No problem. Get some sleep.”

The last thing I remember before drifting to sleep is the bed dipping next to me, and the smell of Vince’s faint cologne invading my senses.

Notes

THIS IS A TERRIBLE AND SHORT CHAPTER BUT I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN SO LONG AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO FOR ANOTHER WEEK.

Sorry for the caps lol but please don't hate me for taking so long to update! I promise after June 1st I'll be back to updating regularly! Stick with me :)

For now, I'd really appreciate it if you all commented, rated and subscribed! I understand if people are losing interest because it's taking me so long to update, but please let me know if you're still reading this!