Annie

“You can take off if you need to,” Lizzy said. I glanced at my watch, it was 4:00, I wasn’t off for an hour.
“Patrick isn’t expecting me until my normal time. Do you want to throw off your father-in-law by having me show up early? He’ll start to expect it.”
“Well I figured you’d want to walk back to Harry’s and change first. I kind of assumed he’d be driving you to the pub,” she said laughing. He’d driven all around London yesterday and today showed up with lunch for Lizzy and I. He made me feel spoiled in just a few days. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to allow him to continue like this because when he left for work I’d be lost. And I wasn’t sure I’d want to adjust back to riding the tube every day. Maybe I’d take him up on the driving lesson in England so I could steal one of his cars while he was gone.
“I was just going to take the tube. I’m trying to convince him that I’m not helpless and don’t need him to take me everywhere. I survived the first six months here without him driving me.”
“He likes spending time with you. Between your two jobs and his career you will eventually like the moments where he drives you to work. My favorite part of my day is in the morning, before the girls get up. Frankie and I can just be together and have some quiet. He makes absolute rubbish breakfast tea but the mornings he’s gone before me I miss it.”
“You two are like nauseatingly perfect. I mean have you ever had a fight in your life?”
“Nothing major. I mean we squabble like normal people. But it’s typically over what topping to put on our pizza or the flavor of ice cream to have for dessert. Though I did threaten him within an inch of his life when I was in labor. I nearly broke his hand.” I laughed at her. They were the perfect couple, I’d known it the instant I met them. They genuinely enjoyed each other’s company more than most people who had been together as long as they had. They were what had given me hope when I was first here. That someday someone would walk in to my life and love me despite the fact that I was occasionally a bit crazy and had weird quirks. “But not every couple fights about things. I mean we love to argue about stuff for fun. You’ve seen us. But nothing serious. I always thought the never go to bed angry thing was a lie, but I’ve never gone to bed angry with Frankie. Not in 12 years. We are best friends.”
“I love that. You guys inspire me. Maybe someday I’ll have that.”
“I think you could now. It’s just early to think like that if you’re in the situation. But Patty told me what he noticed when you two were in the pub Sunday. I know what I’ve seen.”
“What exactly did Patty tell you?” I asked. I was curious if he told her what he told me when we were there.
“That he looks at you the way that Frankie looks at me and the way Patty looked at Catherine. He does. I’ve seen that look a million times from my husband. The look he gets when I’m being absolutely mental and it’s as if that makes him love me more. Or that I’m the only person in a crowded room. Harry looks at you like that. When he was in for lunch today and you were getting animated about some article you read online. He was laughing at you and smiling. His eyes said so much. Like ‘this woman is absolutely mental but that if I have to face life without her ranting about something it would be boring and I’d hate it’. I don’t say this to scare you. I know that you’re usually hesitant about this stuff.”
“You’re picking on me.”
“I’m not. But you are usually really hesitant.”
“I know. I’m trying not to be. He’s a good guy. I know that. And I saw the look too. Though I saw more of the ‘she’s bat-shit crazy’ in his eyes.”
“Stop it. Let yourself be happy.”
“I’m trying boss.” I pulled my coat on and backpack. If she was gonna let me leave work early I was going to take advantage. “What time do you want me in tomorrow?” I asked.
“Noon is fine like usual. But let me know what time you get out of there tonight. Lyla is watching the kids so Frankie and I can have date night since you’re working. If you get stuck late because it’s busy we’ll talk. I know you think you need to stay and help Patty close when you work.”
“Sometimes he needs the help. But I’ve been offered a ride home so I don’t have to take the tube.”
“Someone thinks you’re staying in Hampstead again tonight?” I nodded. “Have you slept apart at all this week?”
“Sunday night.Is it okay to be a bit scared by this?”
“Of course! I was terrified when Frankie showed up in London. I’d never lived with someone. Hell I’d never spent that much time around one guy. I’d had a boyfriend in college but we didn’t stay together all the time even. Maybe weekends because we were both busy. But Frankie and I went from a first date to not seeing each other to him living with me in my tiny studio. And we were married so quickly. We moved out of that flat in to the flat at the pub. Which felt like an upgrade because the bedroom was separate from the living room and kitchen. And that’s considering my father-in-law lived in the same building as me. But in the 12 years we’ve been together there’s been very few nights that I didn’t share a bed with that man. And I wouldn’t change it.”
“It just seems so fast and so strange. But at the same time, so right.”
“It should. He’s smitten. Anyone can tell. You are too. Now go surprise him by having a few minutes between shifts today.” I said my goodbyes to Lizzy and took off towards Harry’s. He didn’t honestly live that far but I tended to walk slow and look at the Heath and the houses along the walk. The shop was closer to the tube station which was nice for me. I put my earbuds in and listened to a bit of music.
I wasn’t even sure what to think about all of this. I was normally logical. I was the one who held back with Cam. I was the one who ended things because I wanted to believe in the hope that someday someone would care about the little things. I’d been happy with Cam. We had fun. He kept me on my toes most of the time. Made me become a bit more fearless and believe in myself. He challenged me but he wasn’t interested in forever the way I was. Someday I want the happily ever after. I’ve always wanted to believe that it exists and that maybe I’d be lucky enough to find it someday. And as terrifying as it seemed, I was hopeful that maybe I was close to finding it. If not with Harry that he was a sign that I was at the point that I was ready for it. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Message with Nate the Great
So I’m coming down around lunch Friday. You’re working right?
I am. Lyla said she’d stay and close up so we could head out. I figure you and I can walk to Harry’s and hang out a bit before we head to the flat when Kim gets off.
Where does Harry live?
Hampstead. Not far from the bookshop. I’m walking there now before work at the pub. He’s right near the Spaniard’s Inn.
Cool. Thanks for helping me out with this. I’m nervous. Like can’t sleep. Want to throw up nervous. She’s gonna throw me out on my ass and make me miserable.
She might. But I doubt she’d make you miserable. If things don’t work out I will be your personal matchmaker. I’ll find you someone. Maybe Harry has some fit friends you can meet.
Oh I’m sure he does. Hangs around models. I don’t even want to think about that though. I just want Kim to say she wants to try and work towards forever with me.
I know you do. I hope it works out. I feel like I should pretend to at least hope Niall has a fighting chance because he’s the boy’s best mate but you and Kim are just you and Kim. You make each other laugh and happy and I’m glad you’ve stopped lying to yourself.
The boy? Really? Already?
Yeah I guess. Patty and Cam both call him my boyfriend and he doesn’t seem remotely phased by it.
Do I at least get to interrogate him a bit?
You have to be nice.
Fine. I’ll call you when I’m close Friday.
Good. I just got to Harry’s. We’ll talk later.

I put my phone and headphones back in to my bag and let myself in through the door in the garden wall. There was a small keypad to enter a code. I went to the front door and found that Harry must not have locked it after he got home from lunch. I kicked off my shoes on the entry rug and found him in the living room on the couch napping. I put my things down on the floor and crawled on to the couch with him.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked.
“Lizzy told me to leave early. Said maybe I could convince you to give me a ride to work.”
“I could be convinced of that. Did you have a good afternoon?”
“Yeah, I got a lot done. Put in some orders for a new book and started trying to work on Lizzy to let me have events there. I think we could show art for some local artists and do events at night after we are closed. I do a lot of stuff for Frankie so I just feel like there’s more I could do for her.”
“Look at you being ambitious.”
“Trying.” I moved up and kissed him softly. “Thanks for bringing lunch today. Lizzy was so excited. She’d been craving Chinese I guess. The girls requested pizza for the fourth night in a row last night.”
“What time do you have to work?”
“6:00.”
“What time is it?” I glanced down at my watch.
“4:30”
“I need to thank Lizzy for letting you leave early. So do you think you’ll get in trouble if your new boyfriend hangs out around your job all night?”
“Well he hung out around my job for part of the afternoon and I didn’t get in trouble. I will be busier at O’Brien’s though. If you have something else you need to do you can.”
“Nope. I just thought it might be fun to hang out there. Get to know your life there a little more. Do you need to eat before you go to work?” I shook my head.
“No, I’ll eat there. We can get dinner there tonight if you want.”
“Perfect.” I felt his hands move beneath the top I’d worn to work today. I’d dressed a bit nicer before work at the bookshop than I would at the pub. “We can leave early and grab you some more clothes if you want.”
“That would be great. I’m gonna run out of clean panties soon,” I said laughing.
“You don’t have to wear any if you ask me.” His fingers slipped in to the top of my jeans. “I quite like you in various states of undress.”
“I know you do, perv. I also didn’t ask and would like to wear panties to work. Though we could stay at mine tonight if you wanted.”
“Your bed is too small. Plus we will stay there Friday night. We can just go to O’Brien’s to hang out with Kim and Nate. Then Saturday night we will go to Spaniard’s for dinner with my family.”
“Are you gonna need me to help you get the place ready for your Mum and Robin’s visit?” He shook his head.
“Nope, did most of that today.” He started to kiss me again and began to kiss down my neck. “I missed you today.”
“You saw me at lunch.”
“I know but you got ready before I even woke up.”
“Well I had to get up and go to work. I went in early today. You just lay around either naked or in your pajamas.”
“Hey! Not fair. I put on clothes today. And delivered you lunch.”
“You did. You’re sweet.”
“By the way, you didn’t freak out when I said boyfriend,” he said smiling at me.
“Not worth doing it anymore. Because you’re just gonna keep calling yourself that. So I may as well let you. Though I may not call you my boyfriend. You okay with that?”
“Sure,” he said smiling before kissing me.
“I need to go change. Then we can head to mine and work. Good?”
“Perfect.” One more kiss and I was upstairs changing clothes quickly. I pulled on a pair of tight, grey skinny jeans and a white tank top. The black t-shirt I brought with me for tonight was my favorite. There were holes in it, the neck cut so it hung off my shoulder and long enough that I had to pull it up and tie it at my waist so it didn’t hang so low. I pulled my beanie down over my hair and grabbed my coat. Harry had moved from the couch and was in the kitchen now.
“I’m ready to go,” I said as I hugged him from behind. He turned to face me.
“You look cute.”
“Thanks.” One kiss and we were out the door, in the car and headed to my flat. I leaned against the window and looked over at Harry. He was focused on the road and not noticing me. I thought back to what Lizzy said. One day, the rides to work were gonna be something I cherished because eventually we wouldn’t be together every day and every night. Life would happen again. He’d be on the road. I’d be staying at my place. Eventually this wouldn’t be our daily existence. I’d lived through him gone, but not in the manner I was facing in the future. I missed my friend then. Someone I talked to that made me smile. The next time he was gone there was potential that it would be entirely different.
“What are you looking at?”
“You. Thinking about something Lizzy said today. I told her I was going to take the tube to the pub and she told me that eventually the few minutes we were in the car together would likely become my favorite parts of my day. Because we won’t always have times like we have so far. Some day you’re gonna leave.”
“Not a week in and you’re talking about me leaving you?” He seemed shocked and slightly offended. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve chased you for months. Does that not show enough that I care for you.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t get your knickers in a twist,” I said laughing. “Eventually you will also have to work. And unlike me your job isn’t just a tube ride and a 9-5. Yours will have you in fucking Argentina and I’ll be in London. That’s a bit of a distance babe.”
“Okay, I’m sorry I flipped. I thought you meant that I was going to leave you like you were already contemplating our breakup, which is not fair and if I ever suspect you are doing it I will be hurt. But yes, our reality is that someday I will be gone. But who’s to say I won’t take you with me to Argentina. I’ve never been I hear it’s beautiful. I think South America would look good on you.”
“You’re crazy.”
“So are you,” he said grabbing my hand and kissing my knuckles. It was only a few more minutes before we pulled up outside of my flat. I hurried upstairs and threw together a bag of my things and was back down on the street in a matter of minutes. We made it to the pub about 15 minutes before I was to start my shift so I sat down next to Harry in a stool at the bar.
“He here for your whole shift tonight?” Patrick asked.
“That’s the plan,” I said smiling. “You okay with that?”
“I am actually. He isn’t half bad to talk to. He’ll keep me company while you run around helping everyone.” Patrick slid a Diet Coke in front of me and I turned to Harry, resting my feet on the top rung of his barstool.
“Just let me know when you’re hungry and I’ll get you some food.”
“Okay. I’ll be here all night.” I leaned forward to kiss him as Cameron walked out of the back.
“Oi! I don’t need to see that.”
“Whatever,” I said kissing Harry again. “Aren’t you having dinner with Kim tonight?”
“I am but she’s not off work yet. She was gonna meet me here and we are going out for barbeque. Lover boy think you can’t work without him?” Cameron asked. Unlike last night he seemed a little bit jealous about Harry being here. I’d been impressed at how well he’d handled himself last night.
“No, he knows I can. Gave me a ride to work so I didn’t have to ride the tube. And he has a name, jackass.”
“And that one always seems to have been mine.” I laughed at Cameron before I jumped down and went behind the bar. I started to work serving tables and customers at the bar. When Harry got hungry and ordered dinner I put in something for myself to the kitchen and took a few minutes to sit and eat with him. We slowed down around 9:00 and I started to help get the place cleaned up so there was less for Patrick to do once we closed. He’d been doing a good job keeping Harry company most of the night. I saw the front door swing open and Cameron and Kim come in, sitting down next to Harry at the bar.
“How was dinner?” I asked.
“Delicious,” Kim said. “I needed a barbeque night. Not as good as the states but it’ll do for a fix.”
“That’s good. Sorry I haven’t been home lately,” I said.
“I’m not surprised by it. I actually figured you’d stay with him. You seemed pretty smitten last weekend.”
“I might be a bit smitten,” I said as I smiled at Harry. “We are staying at our place Friday night though. We figured we can all come hang out here.”
“That will be fun. I’m going out with Niall tomorrow night. I’m sure he’ll come along.”
“Going out with Niall, huh?” I asked. “Date?”
“Dinner, not a date per say. I think I’m not interested in dating.”
“You’re also lying,” I said laughing at her.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because you are interested in dating. You just aren’t interested in casually dating. You want a relationship.”
“She’s right, Kimmi,” Cameron said. “You want one person to wake up to and go to bed at night next to. You are just trying to convince yourself that you want casual. It’s written all over your face.”
“You guys suck. Ya know that?”
“Yes,” Cameron and I said simultaneously. Once my shift was over we said our goodbyes to Kim and Cameron.
“Let me know how tomorrow with Niall goes,” I said.
“I will. Have fun with Harry. I’ll see you Friday.” We walked hand in hand out to the car.
“Thanks for coming in tonight with me,” I said kissing his cheek as he opened the door to help me in. We were back at his house by 11:30 which was earlier than I expected. I went upstairs and started to strip out of my work clothes in the bathroom. “I feel so gross.”
“Need a shower or bath?” he asked. I nodded. “Which would you prefer?”
“The shower seems so much faster but a bath sounds like such a relaxing idea. My back hurts. I’m getting too old to bartend after a full day at the shop.” I felt his hands on my shoulders massaging the stress away. I looked in the mirror to see him bend down to kiss my neck, then shoulder, across my shoulder blades and up the other shoulder before he took my hair from the bun I’d put it in mid-shift.
“How about a shower and then I give you a massage?”
“That sounds amazing.” I peeled the rest of my clothes off and got in to the shower as I heard music start to come from the bedroom. It was a guitar I was familiar with but one that blew my mind a bit coming from Harry. As the lyrics started I began to sing along, it was something I couldn’t resist any time I heard the song. “Are you seriously playing Fleetwood Mac?”
“Yes,” he replied his voice coming from a shorter distance than I expected. I looked to see him sitting on the bathroom sink. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“I’m singing along. No. I love Fleetwood Mac. Have I ever told you that I want to grow up to be Stevie Nicks?” I heard his laugh echo off the walls.
“No but I can see it now.”
“When my hair is lighter it makes more sense. Midgety little bleach blonde with a wardrobe full of black.” The stereo flipped from The Chain to Dreams. “I’m pretty sure you’re just trying to put me in a good mood. You’ve somehow discovered that I love singing along to Fleetwood Mac like a maniac. That’s it, isn’t it?”
“It’s absolutely it.” I saw him pull his shirt off and then his pants hit the ground. And before I knew it he was in the shower with me. “Putting you in a good mood is a wonderful idea. The fact that this does that makes me pretty happy. I love Fleetwood Mac. And you sound pretty singing along.”
“Never gonna win X-Factor with my shower sing-a-longs.”
“Neither did I,” he said pulling me in to him. It was an incredible thing what he could do to me with a simple kiss. My mind, normally racing with thoughts and anxieties quieted the second his lips touched mine. Like the world had stopped. Just for that instant the world was quiet and it was just us. We finished the shower and got out, both drying our hair with towels and putting on pajamas. I put on sweatpants and a sports bra before he directed me to the bed. I laid down and he sat on my butt rubbing the skin that was still a bit warm from the shower.
“Oh my god,” I moaned. “You are amazing.”
“You told me that the other night too,” he said laughing.
“Oh shut it. But oh my god don’t stop. My back hurts so bad. I need a massage.”
“Do I need to get you another one?”
“Not gonna lie that was the best two hours of my life. But you’re quite a bit sexier than Rita, my massage therapist that day. Though I do need to go visit Rita again. She’s a magician with her hands.” He kept laughing at me. “She doesn’t give a happy ending and I imagine you do.”
“What are you talking about? I’m a totally legit massage therapist. No happy endings. Though I’d consider making an exception for you.”
“I like being the exception.” I laid there for a good 30 minutes as he worked the tension out of every muscle in my back before falling on to me laying skin on skin. I turned over underneath him and kissed him passionately.
Tonight we weren’t in a hurry, even though I was tired and now unbelievably relaxed from the shower and massage. I was different with Harry than I’d ever been in my whole life. I wasn’t nervous or self-conscious. I wasn’t scared that he’d see a stretch mark and find me unattractive. I wasn’t afraid he’d noticed that my breasts, like most in the world, were lopsided. I wasn’t worried that my bed head was doing to send him running. That he’d find my naked body atrocious and never want to look at me again. He worshipped me with his hands and lips. He made me feel safe. He made me feel beautiful and cared for.
“What am I gonna do when you finally decide you aren’t staying here some night?” he asked pulling me in to his side, his hand lightly running from the small of my back up my spine.
“Watch porn.” I laughed.
“I’m serious. Sunday, I slept terribly.”
“We will get to the point where being together all the time won’t be shiny and new. You’ll be fine. We both will be.” I’d reached that point in every other relationship. A few weeks in, you started to get comfortable and not feel so desperate to be near each other. We’d get there and be fine sleeping in our own beds.
“I’m sure you’re right. But I sort of want you not to be.”
“I know. Me too. But we need sleep. It’s almost 2:00. I have to work tomorrow.”
“Okay,” he said hugging me close and falling asleep with me. The next morning he woke up with me, made coffee and toast while I got dressed. We enjoyed a bit of time together before I headed in to the shop. My work day was shorter and filled with girl talk and gossip. Lizzy and Frankie had a good date night. He’d taken her to a new restaurant she’d been dying to try in Notting Hill. I snuck out for a little bit to head to an antique shop on the same block as us. They had something I’d been looking at over the last few months and thought would be the perfect birthday gift for Harry. I had the owner wrap it up for me so that I could keep it secret from him at his house until Saturday morning. I worked until close and was out shortly after 6:00, slipped on my headphones and walked to Harry’s house. Some of the snow had finally started to melt and it didn’t look quite like a winter wonderland any more.
“I’m home,” I yelled when I walked in the front door.
“Kitchen,” he replied. “How was your day at work?” He kissed me quickly as I took my backpack off and set it down on the bottom step to grab when I went up to go to bed tonight.
“Good. Lizzy and Frankie had a good date night last night so I got to hear all about it at work today.”
“What did they do?”
“Went to some restaurant in Notting Hill she’s been dying to try. I think they went to see a movie. Just a night the two of them. Normally they do dinner and a movie or spend time together away from home. They love their kids but have date night more than most couples. I’ve been working Wednesday nights for as long as I can remember because that’s date night. What did you do all day?”
“Finished cleaning and did the wash for the bedding in Mum’s room so it’s ready for her for this weekend. I washed the other guest room in case Kim wanted to stay here a night or two so she wasn’t alone at your flat.”
“That’s sweet. It smells in here like you cooked,” I said.
“I did. Thought I’d be a good guy and make dinner while my lady was at work.” I glanced at the stove to see a few pots and plates set at the counter. I’d missed them when I walked in. “I analyzed our conversations, thought about what you might like after a long few days. I made fettuccine alfredo for my little Italian.”
“Oh aren’t you trying to win points. I’m terrible at alfredo. Easy sauce and I can never perfect it. I just get angry and wish I could drive through a Fazoli’s.”
“How did I do?” He held a spoon in front of me. I blew on the sauce before tasting it. My eyes rolled back in my head.
“You did great. Did you make chicken too?” I’d glanced at the stove to see small pieces of chicken in a frying pan.
“I did. I’m good. I might deserve some quality snuggles tonight.”
“You most definitely do.”
“So what’s in the bag?” He gestured to the white paper bag from the antique store. I smiled at him.
“Birthday present for this cute guy I know. Thinks he might want to end his teen years on Saturday and make me feel like less of a cougar for a few weeks.”
“Do I have to wait to open it?” I nodded. “I’m gonna want to open it so badly.”
“I know. I’m evil.”
“Sit down, we’ll eat.” I saw him flick through his iPhone and pick some music before putting it on the docking station he kept in the kitchen. I sat down at the counter and took a drink of the water sitting in front of me. “Wine?” I shook my head. “Beer.” Again a no. “Ginger ale?” I finally nodded my head excitedly.
“You pay attention.”
“I know. I’m good.” We ate together talking about my day and the conference call he had about some of the upcoming things for the band. We put on a movie and snuggled on the couch as soon as we had the kitchen cleaned up.
“What kind of cupcakes do you want for your birthday? I’m off early tomorrow. As soon as Nate gets in town actually. I figured we’d just walk over here and hang out until Kim is off work. Thought I could bake cupcakes or a birthday cake. Which would you prefer?”
“I think a chocolate cake sounds good.”
“Are you sure? I know you like banana. You don’t need to worry about me eating your cake. I want to make what you want.”
“No, I want chocolate. Lux will get excited about it. Chocolate with chocolate frosting. Like those cupcakes you made a few weeks ago.”
“Easy enough. I can make it tomorrow while you and Nate get to know each other and we try to convince him not to get back on a train to Cambridge. He’s nervous.”
“I imagine. I was terrified before drinks that first night. Barely slept before our first date. And I wasn’t surprising you by coming in to town to tell you I was hopelessly in love with you. I’m nervous for the guy and I don’t know him.”
“Did you tell Niall?”
“Will I be in trouble if I did?” he asked.
“No. You did, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I think maybe that’s why they are going out tonight. Have you heard anything from her?” I shook my head and snuggled back in to him.
“Maybe they are still out having a good time.”
“Maybe,” he said. We were part way through the movie he’d picked when my phone vibrate on the coffee table.

Message with Kim
Pretty sure he friend zoned me.
Seriously?! What happened?
He hugged me when he picked me up. No kiss. Which I wasn’t totally expecting. We’d kind of talked about not doing that when we decided casual. But part of me wondered if we would so that I could figure out if we were anything more. But nothing. A kiss on the cheek when he dropped me off a half hour ago. He hesitated. Almost kissed me and second guessed it. I’m not sure what I did.
A half hour ago? It’s only 9:30. That seems early. Didn’t get drinks? And I’m sure it’s nothing you did. Maybe he’s nervous. He was already pretty pissed the first time you met. Liquid courage.
Maybe that’s it and no, no drinks. I actually decided to go hang out with Cam. He’s off at 10:00 tonight. So we were gonna grab a beer so I could vent about all of this.
Need me to come? I can be there by the time he’s off work.
You’re probably snuggled up with Harry. I don’t want to ruin your night.
Not ruining my night at all. You’re my friend. If you need me there I’m there. Hell if you even remotely want me there I’m there. I’ll even leave Harry at home. It can be you me and Cam, like old times.
Only minus a Nate and you and Cam aren’t making out. It’s fine really. Cam seems to be off this week. I guess seeing you with Harry was hard on him. He knew it would come eventually but you’re pretty affectionate which he admitted was hard to watch. I think he’s adjusting. The more he gets to know Harry the better he’ll be too.
I hope so because I don’t want complications in my life from this. Cam and I work together still, which I knew at some point would get hard when one of us was seeing someone. But I don’t get bothered by him picking up girls. Hell he hit on Gemma! Talk about awkward.
Yeah, it’s tough. You want him to be happy and I know he wants the same. Sometimes being the one that doesn’t move on first even if you are happy it still sucks. Like I really wanted to be the one to move on first when it came to Nate. I sort of did with the Christmas Eve Experience but that was one night and just bad. Really bad. And it made me miss Nate.
Yeah, I know you miss him. You were maybe hoping Niall made you not miss him as much?
Maybe. I don’t know. Niall was fun. A lot of fun. Maybe he was being like that because he thought that’s what I wanted. I don’t know. He said he’d see me this weekend. Maybe tomorrow and for sure Saturday for Harry’s birthday dinner.
Yeah about that. I need to bake a cake, haha. He requested chocolate with chocolate frosting.
Yum! I’m excited. How are you gonna have time to do that and everything for the Super Bowl with his family in town?
Magic? I’m taking the afternoon off tomorrow. Lyla is covering the shop. She and Sami are done with classes around noon tomorrow. So I’m coming back here to bake and prepare for a weekend with his family. Thankfully he cleaned today. Even made dinner.
Lucky.
I know.
Alright. I just got to O’Brien’s. I’m leaving work at 5:00 tomorrow. Want me to come to Hampstead or are you two coming home?
Guess it depends on how far I get on my baking but we’ll likely meet you at home. We were talking about staying there tomorrow because we could walk to the pub.
Alright, see you tomorrow.

“She says Niall friend zoned her. He almost kissed her but instead went for the cheek. Which could totally be nerves or not knowing what she’s gonna think but also could be him deciding on friends.”
“I think you’re right, he decided on friends. I told him what Nate said. He isn’t going to want to stand in the way. But if she doesn’t go for Nate I think he makes a go of it. He liked her and had a lot of fun.”
“So did she. I’m so torn. She laughed so much with Niall and had so much fun but she’s always had deep feelings for Nate. Part of me thinks he was a wanker and doesn’t deserve her but part of me wants them to end up happily ever after with babies and a house in the country.”
“You’re cute. You’re so torn for her. It’s like you’re watching a movie with a love triangle.”
“It feels like it!” I laughed. “I’m sort of glad I’m not part of a love triangle anymore.”
“You couldn’t have been. I had no idea it was a triangle. I just thought it was you with a giant wall up.”
“Well that too,” I said. “But it was a triangle.” I left out Cam being a bit awkward, I didn’t want Harry to think that Cam was a threat. He wasn’t. We split up because we weren’t good for each other. He’ll get over it soon. If not then I’ll deal with that. We headed up to bed and climbed between the sheets, holding each other close until we drifted off to sleep. I woke up, showered and slipped on leggings and a sweater to head up to work. I pulled on some boots before sitting on the side of the bed and leaning down to kiss Harry.
“Hey, you’re leaving already?”
“I am. Lizzy has a doctor’s appointment today so I’m opening the shop. Lyla comes in around noon and will close up so I can leave when Nate gets in.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up? I would’ve made you breakfast.”
“You looked like you were sleeping pretty decently. Didn’t want to wake you.”
“It’s supposed to be cold out. Take a car. You’ve got a straight shot to the bookshop. I’m not nervous about you driving.”
“I haven’t driven in six months.”
“So what? You’re fine,” he said. A kiss and I was out the door and in the car. I started it and suddenly felt free. Maybe I’d run to get some things to bake his cake today since I had no idea what he had in his house. I’d snooped enough to see he had some pans but I wanted to make a round layered cake. I’d be able to get most of what I needed right around the shop but I had some time to kill since I wasn’t walking. Once I was on the street it was like second nature and I wasn’t even totally weirded out about being on the wrong side of the road. Only sort of weirded out by it. I bought the cake pans I wanted and all of the ingredients before heading to the shop and parking his car.
I got everything I needed done before open and had a chance to work on some stuff I was doing for our website before Lyla got in. It was about 12:15 when Nate walked in. He hadn’t even changed from his suit from work. I hugged him tightly. Happy to see my friend for the first time since Christmas time.
“How was the ride down?” I asked.
“I felt like I was gonna puke most of it. Good thing I had some work to catch up on. Does she know I’m gonna be here this weekend?”
“I didn’t say anything, neither did Harry. She was out with Cam the last two nights so if you said anything to him he might’ve said something.”
“God I hope not. I feel like if she knows I’m here she’s going to avoid me.”
“Doubtful,” I said.
“When do you go back home?” Lyla asked.
“Monday night unless I have a reason to stay. We went digital for a lot of stuff so I can do a lot of the research for my case via my iPad and computer. I’d love to say that Annie is going to get sick of me because I’m staying at her place,” Nate said. Lyla started to laugh loudly.
“She doesn’t even stay at her place,” Lyla said.
“True story. We are hanging out at Harry’s today so I can bake him a birthday cake. Though we had talked about staying at the flat tonight. But otherwise I’ve slept at his house every night since Monday. I’m perhaps a little attached a little fast. He gives good snuggles.”
“Well that is always your number one priority.” I got my things packed up and we headed outside. “Which direction to his place?”
“That way,” I said pointing towards the Heath. “I took his car this morning though. I picked up some stuff to bake him his birthday cake before work and he told me to take his car because of how cold it is.”
“I don’t know how I feel about driving with you. When is the last time you drove?”
“About four hours ago,” I said glancing at my watch. “Before that, Iowa over Thanksgiving but only a bit. I didn’t have a car so I mainly relied on Dad or Mom. So basically six months.”
“Yeah, this is going to give me a heart attack.”
“You’re fine. It’s short. Like really short.” We were out on the road and shortly at his place.
“Okay you weren’t kidding about it being short of a drive it is. House looks nice from the outside. Good view of the Heath.”
“I know. You’ll love the inside.” I pulled through the gate and made sure it was shut behind us before getting everything out and carrying it in. “Babe, you up?” I yelled.
“Kitchen,” he replied. I found him in jeans and a t-shirt with wet hair.
“Did you just wake up?” I asked standing on my tiptoes to kiss him.
“Nope, just got out of the shower. Went for a run this morning. You handle driving okay?” I nodded. “See told you that you’d be fine.”
“I know, shut it. Harry this is Nate. Nate Salisbury this is Harry Styles.”
“Nice to meet you mate,” Nate said. “Sorry about bothering you on your date with her Monday.”
“You’re okay. Weren’t a bother at all. Did you want something to drink? Coffee, tea, water, I think we’ve got some soda in here.”
“Tea, I figure that Belle will be making some.”
“I was just about to put the kettle on. How about you two go settle in to the living room and I will bring some tea in. Then we can figure out what the hell you are going to say to Kim.”
“Sounds good because I’m nervous I’m going to pass out, puke and wet my pants all at the same time.”
“You’re gonna be fine. Go sit with Harry,” I said shoving them out and putting the kettle on the stove. This was going to be an interesting weekend.

Notes

Holy delay on that chapter. A week since I updated. I am so thankful how patient you are. I hope you all enjoyed your holidays and are excited about New Year's.

I am hopeful that there's not going to be another week between updates now that I'm through the majority of the holiday family functions...though I do have a few left.

So Harry and Nate have met. What is Nate going to say to Kim? What do you think Annie got Harry for his birthday?

As always let me know what you thought of this chapter and what you think is coming next. I love hearing from you and honestly it is unbelievably motivating to get a response from people.

This chapter's song I feel is a bit Annie thinking about Cam acting a bit strange with her. In the short time they've been together her feelings for Harry have her feeling more confident and comfortable than she did with Cameron and who doesn't love a good Adele song?

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