Blayke's POV
It's been a week since I first met that man with a stunning smile and a daughter with a heart of gold.
A week since I've actually felt like I had a friend in this town. Of course I know everyone, they all love me and I love them. But the only friends I've ever had tend to always have lives.
As the hours ticked by on the clock, I started to set up the book reading. This week was some book that I pulled off the shelves, not looking as I walked to the book reading area. I had many other things on my mind today, which definitely made me feel bad because the kids were always my number one concern. Well now not always, but usually.
Soon child after child filed in, wide grins on their faces as I pulled the book out. I hadn't seen Emma Reese or her very stunning father, but I couldn't wait any longer. "Good afternoon, my lovely friends. Today we are going to read Peter Rabbit," I smiled as all of the children gasped, giggling.
I heard a "that's my favorite book," in a deep voice from behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see Harry carrying Emma Reese in one arm and a bouquet of flowers in the other one.
"You're welcome to join us, Harry. Nobody is too young or too old for story time," I smiled at him as he nodded and sat Emma Reese in a chair, getting on his knees beside her, across the table from me.
As I read the book, I asked questions to the kids about what they thought was going to happen next. Or if they thought Peter Rabbit was funny. Every time I would look over, I would see Harry staring straight at me. It was as if he couldn't look away. Well maybe it was because I was reading to the group.
Once the book was over, I gave all the children goodbye hugs and watched them walk to their parents. When I thought the last one was gone, I turned around to go place the book back on the shelf. I heard someone clear their throat and as I turned to face the direction the noise came from, I saw a very happy Emma Reese and a very happy Harry as well.
"Good afternoon, how're you," I asked as I met his gaze.
"I'm wonderful, um these are for you," he smiled, handing over the bundle of flowers. "How are you," he asked as my cheeks tinted pink, this was the first time somebody had given me flowers. And it made me feel all giddy inside.
"Oh my, thank you so much, you didn't have to do that," I smiled up at him.
"It was Emma Reese's idea," he said. Once his words escaped his lips, I bent down to give her a warm hug.
"Thank you so much, Emma. I love them so much." I smiled as she giggled and returned the hug.
I stood back up and looked at Harry once he started to speak again. "We wanted to invite you over to breakfast tomorrow morning if that was okay with you," I felt my heart start to pound harder and faster. Was he asking me on a date? If so this was my first date in a long time. If not, well nothing was new. I mean his daughter was gonna be there so it was probably just a nice gesture.
With all my thinking, I realized that I hadn't given him an answer yet. "Oh, um, yes. I would absolutely love that," I smiled at him, but soon broke the eye contact to stare at my shoes.
"Great. We'll see you tomorrow morning, bright and early." And with those words, he picked Emma Reese up and walked away.
—
I had gained hardly any sleep last night, too busy on thinking about what would happen this morning. I mean yes, it was only breakfast. But it was with a man that was probably the most handsome man in the world—at least in my eyes. And it was with his beautiful baby girl who decided to pick out flowers for me.
This morning, I had already tried on fifteen different outfits before I settled into some skinny jeans and a nice floral T-shirt. I shouldn't try to hard. He'll notice. I put my usual daily makeup on before heading out my door. I quietly drove to his house, my thoughts invading my head rather than the usual music I blasted over the radio.
Once I got to the huge home, I got myself out of the car. After closing and locking the door, I took long calming breaths. Before my hand reached the door to knock, the door was opened quickly with a happy, well dressed Harry. And I felt as if I was underdressed.
I knew he saw me staring at his suit. A soft chuckle emitted through the silence before Harry spoke. "I'm only dressed so nice because I have a meeting at the hospital after breakfast." He grabbed my hand softly, the first time he's ever actually touched me, and pulled me inside.
The smell of pancakes and coffee invaded my senses. "Good morning," I managed to squeak out as he turned over to look at me once again.
"Good morning, you look lovely today." With those words, my heart rate skyrocketed. He really needed to stop doing this to me.
"Good morning, you look very nice today," I had only realized I repeated good morning for the second time in a minute after I was done with my sentence.
Gosh, I sounded so dumb. Why was I like this. Harry's chuckle brought me back to reality.
"So uh, where's Emma Reese?" I asked quietly, looking around the large house.
"Oh she's still asleep. She doesn't wake up until like 10:00 every morning. So it's just you and me right now," his words always put me in a trance with that amazing accent of his. One that I couldn't quite pinpoint.
I smiled, nodding slowly. "Alright. That sounds fine with me."
"Would you like some coffee? I made it right before you came so it's still warm."
"That would be lovely, thank you." I smiled, making eye contact with him once again.
Harry Styles was the most handsome man I had ever met, and he decided to invite me to breakfast with him. Out of all the beautiful and young girls where we lived, he asked me. But I mean it was probably either out of pity or returning the favor because I invited them over for lemonade and cookies last week.
My thoughts consumed me until I saw Harry waving his hands in front of my face, chuckling. "Are you alright I asked you a question?"
What an embarrassment. "Yes, sorry" i looked down into my cup of coffee before looking back up. "Could you repeat your question please?" I asked.
"Yeah, of course. I just asked if you've had a good week. I haven't seen you since last Wednesday, well you know I saw you yesterday but only for a few moments."
"Oh yes, my week has been awesome. I was looking forward to seeing Emma Reese and you yesterday. I'm glad you both came," Harry's face lit up slightly at my words. "It's so nice to have fresh faces around town, I mean don't get me wrong. I love everyone here, but I'm thankful I've gotten to meet you and your daughter." Gosh why was I being so weird and embarrassing.
"I'm thankful we both met you as well. Emma Reese loves you," he smiled as he spoke about his daughter.
"Well I love children, I think it's because I didn't have siblings growing up so I always longed to be around them. I don't know it sounds weird."
Harry shook his head, seeming interested. "No, go on. Please tell me more."
This made me smile like a teenage girl whose crush noticed her. "Well, I was born and raised here. My parents moved about four years ago because my dad retired from his job here. And now it's just me. What about you?" I asked, making him sigh. "You don't have to tell me about yourself if you don't want to." The reassurance made him look me in the eyes.
"No, no it's only fair that I share my story. I was just raised in Holmes Chapel, but I came to America to go to college, or as I call it university. That's where I met Emma's mother. Her and I dated all throughout college and when I was almost finished, Amelia and I got married and had Emma Reese.
"But after a year of marriage, and Emma Reese turning six months old, Amelia was on her way home one night and as she was driving someone blew a red light and hit her straight on. She didn't survive the crash," Harry sniffled as he wiped his eyes.
"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that, Harry. I can only imagine how hard this must have been for you," I gave him a sad smile.
"It's alright, I think I'm finally moving on. I'm just thankful that I found this job. It's such a delight living in a small town," this was my time to change the subject.
"Oh yes, isn't it lovely. There's not much to do, but I absolutely love it here. That's why when my parents moved, I stayed. I have this creek near my house if you guys ever want to come over. We could go fishing, or Emma Reese could play in the sand. Or we could just sunbathe and swim. It's honestly a lovely place, over there."
"I just might have to take you up on that offer," Harry chuckled at what I assumed my excitement for the natural stream of water that I loved so much.
"Yes, you're welcome any time." I smiled brightly. "Friends are always welcome at my house."
"Speaking of friends, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. You're the only person I seem to know and trust so much already in this city." Harry started.
"Sure, anything," I was falling head over heels for this man. I'm pretty sure I would already do quite anything for. He was just so pure and sweet. A gentleman, of course.
"Would you mind watching Emma Reese for me tomorrow evening? I asked a colleague on a date and I need someone to keep Emma. I know it's on such a late notice, but it would be awesome if you could."
Oh
I nodded, the nice person in me couldn't say no. "Yes, of course. I would enjoy her company."
I knew this was too good to be true. He was sucking up to me yesterday and today so that he could get me to watch his daughter. "I'm running late for work, but if you would, you could just bring her over to my house tomorrow before your date. Thanks for the breakfast. It was fun chatting with you," I stood up and pushed my chair in, well aware that I hadn't eaten anything and I didn't even really drink my coffee.
"But you didn't even have any breakfa-"
"Have a great day. I'll see you later. Bye Harry," I left quickly through the door, closing it quietly behind me before I walked to my car.
Of course he didn't have a crush on me, we were in two completely different social classes. Gosh I was so stupid.
I had the day off from work, so I decided I would go home and sit on my couch in my pajamas all day. All I was to any of my friends was a babysitter. They always went out while I watched their children. And I guess this was how it was going to happen between Harry and me as well. I should have known better.
Maybe one day he'll know my true feelings about him. He was handsome and kind and I all I wanted was to have a chance with someone like him. But I guess that would never happen.