-Ava's POV-
Yawning, I walk downstairs to the smell of bacon and maple syrup, two of my all time favorites things.
Food wise anyway.
I find Finn in the kitchen, standing in front of the stove with various burners fired up.
"Roomie, are you making me breakfast?!" I ask as I pull the Orange juice out of the fridge.
"You're chipper this morning." He laughs, "And no. I'm making breakfast for Jules, but if you're nice I may give you some."
"I'm always nice." I defend, managing to steal a piece of bacon off a plate before he's able to shoo me away.
I plop myself down on a bar stool as I eagerly await my food.
"So you and Jules getting pretty serious huh?"
"Perhaps."
"Don't be coy with me Finn Edwards, you guys stay together every night."
He turns around, resting his hip against the bar as he sighs, "I think I'm falling for her."
My mouth falls open in shock. Finn hasn't gotten serious about anyone since dating Olivia. He'll say it was nothing, but I know his heart was pretty invested by the time she broke things off.
"I said be nice." He scolds me and my look of apparent shock.
"I am! I just... Wow Finn, that's just awesome!" I jump up and give him a hug, genuinely happy for him.
I've spent some time with Jules and I only like the girl more and more as I get to know her. They really are a great match.
"Okay, enough about me." He says, returning to the stove. "I want to know why you're in such a good mood."
"I'm always in a good mood."
"Please Ava, you practically skipped in here this morning."
"I did not!" I scoff.
"You did. I'm just wondering if this has anything to do with a certain curly haired lad who you spent the night with Sunday." He raises his eyebrows at me and I feel my cheeks heat up.
"I didn't spend the night with him."
"Then why did he return a shirt of mine last night that he said he borrowed Monday morning?" He smiles at me, knowing I'm caught.
"Fine he SLEPT here, but nothing else happened."
"He wanted to see you. When he dropped the shirt off, he was so obviously hoping you'd be here. Poor lad looked so disappointed when I told him you were on a date."
"You what!" I choke on my orange.
"You do fancy him!" Finn points at me, laughing. "Now calm down! I told him the truth, that you had a late business meeting with Margaret."
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to give him the deadliest glare I'm capable of. "So not funny!"
"So is!" He laughs, putting a plate of food in front of me before filling a tray with various plates, drinks, and a little vase of flowers. Typical Finn, being the perfect boyfriend.
"Enjoy your food." He smiles at me as he picks up the tray and heads out of the room, stopping in the doorway.
"Oh, and Ava." He calls, making my eyes shoot up to meet his. "Do yourself a favor and just tell the lad. A life of what ifs isn't a life at all."
With that he leaves me alone with my breakfast, contemplating his words as I drown my pancakes in maple syrup. I know he's right. If I don't tell Harry how I feel then I always be wondering what would of happened if I had.
With how he's been acting, the chance of him telling me he feels the same is pretty much non-existent. But there's still that tiny little chance, that little ray of hope that he will feel exactly the same.
I groan, my mind going in every which way as I think about what the aftermath either decision would bring me.
I jump when I hear my phone beep, reminding me of a meeting I have this morning. I hurriedly shove another forkful in my mouth before setting my plate in the sink and jogging upstairs.
A little over four hours later, I'm saying goodbye to Margaret as she leaves my office. I drop down into my chair once she's gone, more than happy this was our last meeting about the event this Saturday. If I have to fight with her one more time about not spending so much money on it, I'll literally wring the woman's neck.
I compose a few emails, enjoying the peace and quiet that arrived the moment she left. I'm soon interrupted by light knock on the door, followed by it being slightly opened.
"Ava?"
"Yes Jenna, come in."
She walks in quickly, shutting the door quietly behind her as a huge grin spreads across her face.
"Everything alright?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Harry Styles, THE Harry Styles is here to see you!" She whispers yells.
"What?" I ask, feeling my pulse quicken at the sound of his name.
"He's right outside and wow Ava, he looks even better in person. Please tell me you guys are back together!" She excitedly squeals, practically jumping up and down.
"We're just friends. Now calm down, he's just a guy." I reply, trying very hard to hide my own level of excitement.
"Please! He's your lobster, I know it!"
"Shhhh!" I try to shush her, "Just show him in, and stop fangirling. You look like you're about to faint."
"Fine." She smiles at me and leaves the room.
I quickly straighten out my clothes, happy that I actually put effort into my look today. My white draped blouse tucked into a tight pink mini skirt seemed to just match my mood for the day.
I try to look busy on my computer as the door opens.
"Don't you look all professional."
I smile the second I see the dimpled grin spread across Harry's face.
"Don't let the setup fool you, I'm really in here just playing computer games all day."
"I would scold your career choice however my own usually consists of just running about, dancing like a proper fool in front of people."
"And you do it so well."
"I'll take that as a compliment." He laughs. "You had lunch?"
"No, but I brought a sandwich." I smile, holding up a brown paper bag.
"Let's see it." He holds his hand out and I hesitantly give it to him.
He pulls out the contents and chuckles, "Really McCain? A peanut butter sandwich and a juice box? You still in primary school?"
"No." I defend, "You know I like peanut butter sandwiches."
"Yessss I do. And you know I always told you that wasn't a proper lunch." He retorts, swiftly throwing the bag and its contents into my trash can.
"Hey! I was going to eat that!"
"I know, but that belongs in the bin. You can thank me later. Now come have lunch with me."
I narrow my eyes at him, "Can't. Have meetings."
"Liar. Jenna already told me you were free." He smirks at me as I mentally curse Jenna. "Now stop being stubborn and let me feed you."
"Fine, but it better be good." I warn as I close down my computer and place my paperwork in a neat stack.
I stand up and straighten out my skirt before grabbing my bag.
"Shit Ava, that's what you wear to work?" He questions, eying me up and down.
Okay, maybe my outfit choice wasn't the best.
"Yeah..." I answer, suddenly feeling very self conscious.
"You reeeally are good at your job." He chuckles.
"What?"
"That skirt would definitely move a lad to donate loads to your charity." He laughs, glancing back down at my legs.
"Stop!" I order, knowing my cheeks have got to be as red as a tomato.
"No, I'm ready to pull out my pocket book right now."
"Enough!" I lightly smack his arm and join in his laughter as we head outside.
"Mine or yours?" I ask once we reach the parking lot.
"Are you asking me to have sex with you again?" He chuckles.
"I meant cars Harry." I shake my head at him as my cheeks flush.
"Mine." He smirks at me, "In answer to either of your questions."
"Perv."
"No... cheeky." He smiles at me as he opens the passenger door for me.
I roll my eyes as he laughs and shuts the door behind me.
We banter back and forth as Harry drives through L.A., bringing us to a neighborhood I don't recognize.
We stop at a gate and he punches in a few numbers before it opens and he drives through.
A house emerges at the end of the short driveway, and Harry stops right in front of the door.
"Where are we?" I ask, looking over the house.
"My place." He smiles before getting out and jogging around the front of the car to open my door.
I slide out and follow him up the walkway, wondering what in the world he has up his sleeve.
He swiftly unlocks the door and pushes it open, motioning for me to step inside.
I walk through the house absentmindedly, taking everything in.
"You like it?" He asks, his tone hopeful.
"I love it." I reply honestly. "It's very you."
I mentally slap myself when I realize the significance of my words. Thankfully Harry doesn't seem to notice as he leads me through the living room and out onto the back patio.
"The pool's ace yeah? I fancied everything about this place the second I saw it."
"I can see why." I smile, looking out across the back lawn.
"I know it's a bit small..."
"What? No, it's perfect Harry. Really."
He grins at me, his dimples making me want to either jump on top of him or into the pool to drown myself of my misery.
"I'm glad you like it. Like... means a lot." He says, immediately looking down at his feet. "Sooo lets eat."
I follow him into the kitchen and sit on a stool as he starts pulling various items out of the fridge.
"So you're making me lunch?"
"That I am. Prepare to be amazed."
I watch in silence as he busies himself, humming while he chops various veggies.
"What's that?"
"Hmmm?" He asks as he wipes his hands on a towel.
"The song you're humming. It new?"
He nods, "Just something I've been working on."
"I like it."
"I'm a bit stuck on the bridge..." He smiles, glancing up at me.
"Trying to bribe me with food to help you write a song?" I shake my head at him.
"Nah, but I do have a piano in my living room that needs to be played.... And I miss writing with you."
I feel my cheeks blush for about the twentieth time today as I try to not overthink his comment.
"It's beautiful.. The piano." I comment, remembering seeing it sit in the corner of the large room.
"Yeah, I've had it for a bit but have never played it. I bought it for yo.." His voice cuts off abruptly as he looks up at me. "You. Before... you know."
I nod as I look down at my hands.
"I was having it delivered to your flat... But then you moved." His voice is low and has a hint of sadness I can't ignore.
"You don't need to explain." I say quickly, hating the tension that now fills the room.
"I know. But sometimes things need to be." He frowns to himself as he pulls several slices of bread out of a package.
I keep silent as he finishes preparing lunch, watching his hands as he moves from one item to the next. Ugh he has nice hands. My mind wonders to how skilled they are, and I feel my body heating up. Stop it Ava!!
I scramble to compose myself as he pushes a plate in front of me and takes a seat next to me at the bar.
I don't waste any time in taking a large bite, savoring the taste. I've eaten far to many peanut butter sandwiches lately.
"Good?"
"Delicious." I nod as I take another bite.
Harry gives me a satisfied smile before digging in himself. A few minutes go by before I hear him chuckling.
"What's so funny?" I question, raising an eyebrow.
"You were moaning." He laughs. "A lot."
"No I wasn't!" I defend.
"You were."
"It was more a satisfied sigh I think."
"I think... It was more of a moan."
"Was not."
"Love, you forget I know all to well what your moans sound like." He smirks at me.
"Please stop!" I shriek, shaking my head at him.
"Don't be embarrassed. It's far from an unpleasing sound." He laughs, "I take it as a compliment really. Did back then... do now."
"Oh my god, I'm never eating another sandwich of yours, ever." I say, covering my face in my hands.
"That's a shame, you seem to enjoy it so much." He smiles at me, pulling my hands away from my face. "Now eat, you still need to finish."
"I think I've lost my appetite."
"No no. You know I won't let up till I've made sure you've properly finished." He winks at me and I just want to kill over and die right there.
"You are such a pervert." I shake my head at him.
"Cheeky." He corrects me. "Now try to control yourself, you're making things a bit hard for a lad."
"You just don't stop do you?" I laugh.
"Oh I could go on for hours love."
"Seriously please stop!"
"Okay okay." He laughs, "I couldn't help myself. Now eat so you can help me write a proper song."
"Fine, but you owe me more than a sandwich for a song. That's so not a fair trade."
He grins at me, my heart melting at the site of his dimples, "Then name your terms love."
"I'll have to think on that." My mouth answers as my mind screams 'I want you!'
He chuckles as he stands up and heads towards the living room. "Coming?" He asks, looking back over his shoulder.
I nod, feeling far to worked up over just him teasing me.
God, I need a drink. Or two.
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