Not for all the love in the world.

“They were seeing each other for quite some time, each time a pap caught them, Zayn said he paid them off. These were the snaps we were able to get our hands on. No one can know I showed you these Harry…” She said as she leaned down, grabbing my gaze with her eyes.
“What-yeah, okay. Of course.” I felt incredibly bewildered, how had this happened for so long and I was none the wiser? “What did Zayn say? Did he kill her?” I blurted out, I hadn’t wanted to believe it was even a possibility until now.
“That’s the thing, he told us Shelby was coming to break up with you. She had decided she was leaving you for Zayn, he thinks you killed her.” She said quizzically.
“What? That can’t be true, the last time we spoke she told me she couldn’t wait to see me, that she loved me and I was feeling pretty shitty about the fact that I was coming home to break things off with her, but I would never-“
“Harry, calm down. I’m not insinuating you did it, I’ve got a feeling about Zayn. Normally my instinct is never wrong, that is the only reason why I’m sharing this with you. I shouldn’t have shown you the pictures, I’m sorry…I had to get a reaction out of you though, for reassurance.” She had placed her hand on my arm as she spoke, I looked down at her fingers; her nails were perfectly manicured, but the skin around her fingernails were scarred as if she’d bitten or picked at it for years. She didn’t have a ring on any of her fingers though, in fact she didn’t have any jewelry except for a necklace around her neck, a simple gold chain with a pearl placed sweetly in the middle.
I finally shook my head, coming back to reality. “No, I understand. I thought it was a set up anyway so I guess this is better…”
“Why would you think it was a set up?” Her voice had perked up some, intrigued.
“Because you said I was a suspect.” I said, looking up at her.
“I had to say that…at the office, no one can know we meet or that I tell you any details. Not even any lawyers that are involved. There would be dire consequences Harry.” She sounded a bit desperate, why did I think she was a bitch before? Clearly she was being secretive because she was breaking laws and wanted me to know the severity of it.
“I understand, I won’t say a word.” I sucked in air, blowing it out harshly before looking back at the pictures.
“What a bitch…” I said under my breath, my eyes focused on the carefree face of someone I thought was my best friend. Zayn had betrayed us before, but I didn’t think he’d stoop this low.
“Okay, I should probably go…” She said and began gathering the photos, shoving them neatly back into her bag. I grabbed her wrist lightly.

“Stay? Just for lunch? I don’t really want to be alone right now.” I wasn’t sure why I’d just become so vulnerable, but this was a lot to swallow.
She pursed her lips, giving me a look over.
“Just as two people who are just that- people. Harry and Kat, drop the statuses.” I offered.
She looked hesitant, but finally gave me a nod. “Okay, only because I have nothing else to do today…you’re lucky I had a short shift today.” She said as she finally closed the bag and placed it on the floor.
She was dressed casual again today, tight blue jeans and a loose fitting thin pink v-neck. I could see her tank top underneath, but I knew if she weren’t wearing it her bra would be visible. It’s incredible how quickly my mind travels.
“Great, well what are you in the mood for?” I said as I stood up and walked to the refrigerator and opened it up. It was immaculately clean and stocked with all the essentials – all things to my assistant of course, if it were up to me there would probably be some beer and tofu in there. A little can go a long way with me, in most cases.
“Gosh, you’ve got everything” She said, pondering as she stood up to come peruse with me.
“What can you make the best?” She asked, her eyes peering into the back, probably trying to think of possibilities.
“Oh, you see. My specialty is Pizza.” I said confidently, opening up the freezer side and giving her a grin. “So easy, just set the oven and pop it in. It’s delicious.”
She laughed, shaking her head at me. “Typical. I love pizza though, so you’re in luck.” She reached in and grabbed a box that had vegetable supreme written on top of it and handed it to me.
“Good choice, I’ll put it in the oven. Make yourself comfortable, get whatever you’d like to drink or anything you need.” I said as I turned to assemble the pizza; set the oven, opened the box and removed the plastic, placed it on a pizza sheet and then popped it into the oven when it was preheated. I set the timer to 18 minutes and then walked into the living room, she was sitting on the couch with a bottle of water pressed to her lips as she drank.
“Water? So tame.” I say as I sit down beside her.
“Well, I don’t drink soda.”
“There was beer and wine?” I pushed.
“So I saw, however I am five years sober so I wouldn’t want to mess that up.” She looked to me as she spoke, I could tell she was feeling uncomfortable. Leave it to me.
“Oh, yeah. No definitely not that’s wonderful. Congratulations.” I quickly said, hoping I wasn’t being too invasive.
“Yeah…thanks.”
I could tell she didn’t want to carry this topic on so I leaned back and kicked my feet on to the ottoman in front of the couch.
“So, are you from Los Angeles?” I asked as I watched her relax some, turning her body towards mine.
“No, I’m originally an east coast girl. Born in Virginia Beach and moved all over until finally settling down here in my late teens.” She said with a shrug.
Honestly, we’re getting somewhere. “Did you have parents in the military?” I asked, assuming that would be the only reason why she’d move around.
“Sadly, no. My parents were dysfunctional at best. It was a lot of running away once I was old enough to get away with it. So I kind of ended up in Los Angeles when I was younger…I’m sorry, I’m being too honest aren’t I?” She asked with a nervous laugh.
“What? No, of course not. This is all off the record right, so technically this conversation isn’t even happening. Be as candid as you’d like.” I replied, furrowing my brows playfully. She smiled and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“Right, this could be highly therapeutic for the both of us then. Nothing is better than speaking to someone without holding anything back, especially when you don’t have to pay for it.”
“Exactly…” I say, looking at a smile on her lips. I hadn’t noticed how her bottom lip pouted out just a bit more than her upper lip.
“What?” She said, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Oh, no. Nothing, I’m sorry. It’s just…” I started.
“Just what…?” She asked with curious eyes.
“Hard not to stare at a beautiful woman.” I took my chances, it could go one of two ways – either she’d laugh it off and feel awkward since I’d just hit on her, or she’d accept the compliment and roll with it.
“Oh, thank you. I’m sure you see plenty of beautiful women though.”
She bit, excellent.
“You have something different about your beauty though, it’s dark…but light. Truly beautiful.” I was laying on the charm now, why not take advantage?
I saw her cheeks brighten, she could take a compliment. That was good to know, I hated girls who pretended they didn’t know they were gorgeous just to fish for compliments.
It’s why things didn’t work out with so many of the high profile people I’d “dated.”
“You are quite handsome yourself…” She finally replied, her eyes looking me over. I knew she’d wanted to allow herself a good look. I felt my lips curl into a lopsided grin as I moved closer to her, my fingers gently smoothing through her hair. She leaned forward, her eyes locked with mine as I watched lips slightly pucker.
Our lips touched briefly, not necessarily a real kiss – a brush if you will and suddenly we were ripped away from one another and out of our moment thanks to a loud beeping wailing from the timer I’d set.
I can’t catch a break.

Notes

Okay double update -- it's hard to write this story if I don't have just the right mind set and also MUSIC. Seriously I can't write this while I listen to One Direction or anything too poppy. I've been listening to a lot of like jazzy regae shit and obscure foreign hiphop.
But I mostly just put spotify on a certain playlist, however spotify was not working tonight :'(
However, I listened to my music I actually have downloaded on my computer and "run boy run" by woodkid came on towards the end of writing this chapter and it was just perfect, if you haven't heard the song -- check it out!
I also figured maybe I'd give some shoutouts?
sugarcube is AMAZING. Go read everything she's written if you haven't already, she's magical.
HazzaBear1234 is incredible. If you haven't read anything she's written, go straight there now. I am obsessed with this storyMade by Modest!
OutofStyles is fantastic -- this series is what's up, seriously. Harry is delicious. read read read.
Allie Miller last but not least - original Bae, Allie's stories are awesome. Great if you're looking for some love triangle madness -- there is no lack of drama in these!
If anyone has any suggestions for me to read or if you want opinions or just want to talk to someone, don't be scared to hit me up. :D