Red String 2 {h.s}

Chapter 8

Amy has been gone all day and when she gets back to the hotel around six she is surprised that Harry hasn't called at all. He had sent her only two texts today. He had said in one message that he would be back at eight and asked if she could please wait to have supper with him. She heads to the hotel pool to swim a few lengths to kill some time.

Eight o'clock comes and goes and no sign of Harry. She figures he is catching up with Ben since they haven't seen each other in awhile. Amy has showered and put on her pajamas. She lies in bed, reading a book, her body still not adjusting well to the time difference. She feels herself drifting off to sleep but is determined to stay awake to see Harry.

At half past ten, she hears the beep of the hotel room lock. She hears familiar footsteps and Harry soon appears at the bedroom doorway.

"Oh, you're in bed. Have you eaten?"

"No, you told me to wait for you. Where have you been?"

"At CBS. I stayed a bit later talking with one of the guests."

"Oh," she says annoyed that he didn't call to let her know.

"Sorry, I should have told you. Do you want me to get you something? I can call room service."

"No, it's fine."

"Okay. I'm going to have a shower."

Harry can feel the tension in the room. He feels bad for being late but he honestly lost track of the time. It's hard when you're in a studio with no windows to the outside world, to be able to tell how much time has past. It's like being in a casino.

When he comes out of the shower, he can see her checking her phone and placing it down on the nightstand.

"Why did you not want me there?"

"Pardon?"

"Today. At the studio. Why did you not want me there?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Because you've been glued to my hip since we got back together and then suddenly you don't want me to come with you today. And I'm fine not spending every minute together. I like time by myself but you have been so adamant that you want me next to you until today. Why?"

Harry sighs before walking closer and sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Kendall was one of the guests today. I thought it might be awkward for you. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable," he admits, reluctantly.

Amy found out this information just before he came out of the shower. She had checked online to see who were the guests today and been annoyed that it was his old girlfriend. Not annoyed that he had seen her but annoyed that he omitted telling her.

"Why would I be uncomfortable?" she pushes him.

"Because she's my ex."

"Well, is she your friend or is she your ex-girlfriend? Because if you see her as only a friend then you'd think you'd want your friend to meet your fiancé."

"She's just my friend," Harry implores.

"But if you're friends, why would I be uncomfortable? Not telling me makes me feel like you have something to hide—"

"Amy..." he says in a pleading tone, interrupting her.

"—or maybe I'm the one you're hiding."

"That's not what I was doing," he says with both firmness and gentleness, wanting her to know he means it but not wanting to raise his voice. "You're the one who wants to keep our engagement a secret. Her family is connected to everyone! She would take one look at your ring and the whole world would know. I was trying to respect your wishes. I just went about it the wrong way," he says exasperated. He does not want to argue with Amy. He's missed her all day and was eagerly anticipating coming back to her.