Stall

Chapter 7.

Excuse me? He is not my friend.

Harrys attention immediately snaps to me, his eyes glancing over my figure as a pleased smirk pulls over his lips.

How the fuck does he know where I work?

Maurine waves her hand, urging me to come over, and I feel like I'm about to vomit.

I take slow uneasy steps towards them, placing the crate down behind the counter, and stand next to Maurine, darting my eyes between her and the smug asshole stood on the other side, that won't take those infuriating eyes off of me.

Maurine smacks my shoulder playfully "How come you never mentioned this handsome young man to me before, I thought I knew all of your friends"

I glance to Harry, and he tilts his head with a look that says he's waiting for my answer, and I clench my teeth at how cocky his whole expression is.

"I only bumped into him again recently" I reply clipped, wanting to snap at Harry and ask why he's even here.

"I don't even get a hello? I'm hurt love" he pouts.

I turn my head to Harry, smiling and replying through my teeth "Hi Harry"

Harry raises and drops his brows "Hi again little mouse"

Maurine looks between us, as if she's trying to figure out why our interaction seems so tense, but she just shrugs it off, probably chalking it down to my awkward nature.

"Harry was just telling me you two had plans today" Maurine says, raising her brows accusingly towards me.

I snap my head so fast towards her I nearly pull a muscle as I gawk at her "What?"

"You could have told me dear, I would've been more than happy to give you the day off, you didn't have to cancel on the poor boy" she frowns, scolding me lightly.

Maurine acts like a mother figure towards me, she's taken me under wing since I met her and she honestly treats me better than my actual mother does.

I look to Harry, who has a satisfied shit eating grin on his face.

Every fibre in my body wants to slap it off of him.

"I can't, I had to work today" I narrow my eyes at Harry, trying to figure out what exactly he's told my boss.

Maurine shakes her head, creasing her forehead as she dismisses my excuse straight away "Oh don't start with that bloody nonsense, all you do is work, I already told him I'd give you the rest of the day off, he told me about the surprise he had for you"

What has this sly son of a bitch told her?

I press my lips together firmly as I glare daggers at Harry "Oh did he now?"

Who does he think he is? Just waltzing in here  and lying through his teeth.

"Yes and this beautiful young lady was kind enough to do me the favour of letting you off work so we didn't have to cancel our plans" he says with a charming smile, looking to Maurine and I can tell she's already caught under his spell as she stares back at him with a bashful grin.

"Oh stop it" she waves off shyly "You're gonna give this old woman a big head"

"And what plans would they be?" I ask, still glaring at him, trying to hide the annoyed tone in my voice.

For once I'm not a frazzled bag of nerves around this man, all I feel is irritation bubbling in my chest.

"Uh uh" he tutts "I told you it was a surprise"