Salute I H.S.

Chapter Three- Dinner Dates & Omnipotent Offers

He didn't. He just offered her his hand instead. "Let's get going, petal."

Piper nodded, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. With every passing second, it was dawning on Piper just how terrible her small flat was and she was suddenly embarrassed of the little space that she called her home. It had always felt like the right size but now she was feeling practically claustrophobic. Or maybe she was just unsettled because of Harry and the way he was looking at her. Yeah, that was probably it.

She took Harry's hand, letting him lead her gently to the door on the other side of the room. He held it open for her and she stepped through, grabbing the keys from the side table as she did. She locked the door after Harry had shut it for her (pointlessly, if what Harry had said was true) and then walked down the stairs ahead of him.

When they got out onto the road, there was a crowd of people standing around by the street and it wasn't until Harry pushed her through the people that she realized why. Sitting at the curb was probably the most luxurious car that Piper had ever set eyes on. It was an Aston Martin of some kind (Piper had never been into cars enough to tell what kind) and it was sleek and black. It was also the kind of car James Bond would drive and Piper snorted at the connection. Harry caught her eye and gave her a grin.

When he pressed a button on his key to unlock it, the crowd around it jumped a bit, heads swinging looking for the proud owner. All eyes were on them as Harry stepped forward to hold the car door open for her.

"This yours then, mate?" a man, probably around Piper's age, asked as Harry helped lower Piper into the car, his hand curled gently around hers.

"It is," he replied smoothly. Piper glanced back at the lad who looked ready to wet himself in excitement as his wide eyes roved over the car before landing on Harry.

"'S so cool," he gushed. He was like a fanboy, looking about ready to pass out with absolute utter joy.

"Thanks," Harry said before shutting the door carefully for Piper. Instantly she was encased in silence, the quality engineering of the car blocking out the noise from outside. She looked over when the door opened on the driver's side and watching Harry slide effortlessly into the seat behind the wheel, pulling the door shut behind him.

"Buckle up," he reminded her softly as he started the car with a purr, pulling out into traffic. Piper realized she had actually forgotten her belt and hurried to click it into place.

Not that she was worried about her safety because Harry certainly knew how to drive. He was sitting so casually, his elbow resting on the door while his fingers tugged gently on his lip, almost unconsciously. Piper spent a little bit too long watching those long fingers manipulating his perfectly plump lips, wishing it was her own lips in their place. Every so often, his other hand would drift from the wheel to the gearshift, his knuckles brushing against the skin of her thigh when he shifted gears. She felt goosebumps break out on her legs and hoped that Harry didn't notice.

The drive was quiet except for the quiet music playing in the background. Piper was a bit surprised by the alternative station that was playing. She hadn't given much thought to his taste in music but Harry had surprised her by being very open-minded about his taste. She had even heard him humming along to some of The 1975 when one of their songs had been playing.

Harry stopped them at a restaurant across from Portman square, climbing out of the car first and leaving his keys with the valet. Piper waited for him to round the car and open her door for her. She took his hand and let him guide her from the car, subtly adjusting the hem of her dress when she was standing properly.

She stared up at the restaurant, trying not to make a face. This place looked classy, way classier than any restaurant Piper had been to before. It had a fucking valet. She was usually delightfully surprised when restaurants had tablecloths and fabric napkins. She was 100% sure this place had tablecloths and fabric napkins.