Follow Your Heart

Facing her family was stressful enough, but now Nichole had to break the news to her boss that she was leaving. April would be happy for her, but she still felt disloyal by leaving. She’d taken a chance on Nichole when she finished school. She hired her before she’d even finished her internship. Nichole had learned so much and she couldn’t help feeling like she was letting April down as she stepped into her office that Monday morning.April looked up at her, taking her glasses off.

“Uh oh, I don’t like that face, Nicky. What’s going on?” Nichole shut the door behind her and rubbed her hands over her thighs. She closed her eyes and heard Gemma saying “rip the bandage off.”

“April, I’ve been offered a consulting job in London.” She walked around and leaned against her desk. Never taking her eyes off of Nichole.

“And you are taking it?” She asked.

“Yes, I am. I decided over the weekend.” Nichole replied, picking at her nail polish.

“When did this offer come in? Who you are working for?” She asked, not out of anger; she was sincerely curious.

“My friend Gemma…”

“The sister of that boy band guy?”

“Yes, Harry Styles…it’s him I’ll be consulting for.”

“Wow. I wish you would’ve called me. Is it money, honey? I can see what we can do about a raise.”

“No, April…it’s not the money. It’s never been about money, you know that. It’s something…I don’t know, but it feels like I should be doing this. Harry needs someone that knows what they are doing. He’s determined to do this, and well…Gemma told him about this place, and what I have done. He came here specifically to offer me this job.” She sat down letting her face fall into her hands. “April, he needs me.”

“He needs you? I think you need this just as much, darlin’. I’m proud of you. I hate to lose you though. How much longer do I have you?” Nichole breathed a sigh of relief. Letting go of the fear she had about how this would go.

“Two to four months. We have started the work visa process. As soon as that is finalized, then I will be heading to London.”

“Well then, I am going to need you to help me get Jessica up to speed so she can take over for you, and we’ll need to hire her replacement. And of course we have to have a big send off for you.” Nichole felt tears start to form. April had been her mentor, and they both knew this day would come.April stood up and hugged Nichole. “I’m so proud of you. You are going to be amazing. I knew when you walked through that door five years ago you would end up doing great things.”

~*~*~*~

As soon as Gemma turned her phone back on, her phone started buzzing. Nichole was calling and apologizing for the millionth time about Dylan and his temper. It’s not like she hadn’t seen them fight before. They got into it every time they were together. Gemma loved both of them to death, but she was certain would’ve killed Harry if he pulled some of the stunts Dylan did. Dylan wanted Nichole to stay on the ranch forever. Nichole loved it, of course she did. How could she not? Gemma loved being there and she didn’t grow up there. But, Nichole’s path led elsewhere. That’s why when Harry started talking about starting this, Gemma brought her name up. He balked at first. Hiring his sister’s friend seemed almost like nepotism to him. She had to wear him down a bit. Nichole was more than qualified; Gemma just had to prove it to him. She also knew he would love Nichole. Her heart was as big as his and they both wanted to change the world.

“Nicky, stop…its ok. Stop apologizing for him. He apologized, it’s all good. Now, what I want to know is how did it go with April?”Gemma said as she made her way through the airport.

“Not bad, really. Surprisingly easy, as a matter of fact. She took it well. I’m helping get Jessica up to speed so she can take over my projects, and we have to hire her replacement. So the transition will be smooth for them.”

“Good, ok love, I need to get my bags and get home. Need to start work on your room and bath. Harry’s called some designer to get it sorted.”

“Oh my god, really? He doesn’t have to do that. I just need a bed, some place to put my crap, and a work space,” she sighed.

“My brother is stubborn, and he’s going to do this no matter what. So just let him, ok? I’ll be there to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand.” She was quiet for moment and Gemma could hear the wheels turning in her head. “Nicky?”

“I’m texting him now.” Gemma just laughed. She wasn’t going to win this one. But Gemma decided to let her do what she felt she needed to.

“Ok, good luck. I’ll text you later.”

~*~*~*~

Harry felt his phone vibrating when he got out of the car. Paparazzi were everywhere. He was too tired to deal with it and silently wished he could just go for a meal and not be bothered, but he smiled let them get their pictures and spoke to a couple of fans for a bit. Then he gave Mike ‘the look’ and he moved between him and them and led Harry into the restaurant. He exhaled as the door shut behind then. A couple hours then he’d be back out there. He’d only been at Nichole’s ranch for two days but it was nice to be able to move about and not have to deal with any of this. Mike put his hand on his shoulder to reassure him,

“We’ll have the car brought ‘round the back when it’s time to go. Ok?”

“Perfect.” He said, reaching into his pocket, grabbing his phone. He saw a couple of texts from the guys that he responded to quickly. Then he noticed the message from Nichole.

Nichole: Harry? Did you really hire a designer?
Harry: Did Gem tell you I did?
Nichole: Yes. Harry, that’s not necessary, really. I just need a place to sleep, and store my stuff.That’s all.

Harry took a moment to think. Those rooms hadn’t been used since Gemma bought that house. There was nothing in them. She needed furniture and some paint wouldn’t hurt. That was going to be her home. She was moving to a new country, to a new job, and Harry just wanted to make her feel at home. There wouldn’t be any major renovations. Gemma would murder him. He sighed as he sat down, thinking how to respond.

Harry: What if I run everything by you first? Honestly, it’s not going to be much, Nichole…furniture – which you need. Some paint and window treatments.

It took her awhile to respond. He knew she was thinking about what he’d said and formulating her response, but it still made him hold his breath, waiting.

Nichole: Ok, promise you won’t go overboard. You don’t have to clear it through me, but you do your sister. It’s her house. And she knows me.

Harry smiled and quickly typed out “I promise” and left it at that.

Nichole sighed, tossing her phone onto the counter. He really was the sweetest guy. She would’ve been happy painting her new room herself but was a comforting feeling knowing she would have a place to call her own when she got there. She was certain he knew that too.
She took a beer out of the fridge, popping the cap off and taking a long drink. She met him not even a week ago and they saw each other less than a day ago, why was she missing him? Why was she thinking how much she’d love to hear his voice again?

~*~*~*~

Harry stood on the balcony outside his bedroom looking over Los Angeles. It was late and he should be trying to sleep, but it knew was pointless. His mind was usually going off in different directions, but not tonight. He kept seeing long red hair, brown eyes, blue jeans and boots. When he closed his eyes all he saw was Nichole’s smile as they rode around the ranch and she showed him all the places that she loved. Her laugh echoed through his mind from the terrible jokes. Her soft voice, that was so patient with him while she was teaching him about the horses and riding, filled most of his thoughts since he left Texas. It had been less than twenty four hours and he missed her. He’d only just met her five days ago but Nichole was all he could think about and he just wanted to hear her voice again. He muttered ‘fuck it,’ and picked up his phone He hesitated for just a moment, it was late and he was crazy, but he called her anyway. Pushing his hair back out of his face, he waited for her to answer.

“Harry?” her sleepy voice answered.

“Did I wake you?” He heard her shuffle in her bed. He closed his eyes and all he could see was her in that tie-dyed t-shirt, her long, tanned legs…

“Yeah, but that’s ok.” He closed his eyes and prayed she didn’t hear him almost moan at the sound of her voice.

“Yeah everything is fine.” Thinking quickly, why would he be calling her this late? “I was just wondering how the meeting with your boss went.”He heard her moving around, probably sitting up in her bed.

“Oh it went very well. We’ve got a plan set to transition my replacement already.”
“Good, I know you were worried about it.”

“Harry, darlin’ are you ok? Trouble sleeping again?” He felt terrible hearing the concern in her voice. He’d woken her up for his own selfish reasons, and she was worried about him.

“Yeah, yeah…I’m fine. A little trouble, but I am used to it,” He said walking back into the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt and tossing it on the chair.

“Do you have any chamomile tea?” He chuckled as he made himself comfortable on the bed, after kicking off his boots and his jeans joining his shirt on the chair.

“Are you sure you aren’t English? You sound like my Gran. A cup of tea solves everything.” She giggled softly in the phone and he felt his chest tighten. If her accent didn’t kill him, he was sure that giggle would.

“No, but my Nanna thinks the same thing. Maybe that’s where I get it from.” It was his turn to laugh.

Her voice was calming, her little giggles intoxicating. He couldn’t end the call. And she didn’t seem to be concerned about ending it either. They spoke for a couple of hours. Until he had to let go, he could hear how tired she was and she needed to sleep.Before they disconnected the call she said,

“Harry, you can call me whenever you need to, ok? I like talking to you.”

“I’d like that. I like talking to you too, Nichole.”

“Goodnight, Harry.”

“Okay…Goodnight, Nichole. Sleep well.”

“You too, Harry. Sweet dreams.”

Notes