Harry's laughter fills the room, his dimples appearing on his cheeks. Music plays softly in the background as we sit at the island in the kitchen, eating our pizza and drinking wine, "There's no way that happened," he laughs, taking another bite of his pizza.
"I promise you it did. I can't make this stuff up," I laugh, watching the way the corner of his eyes crinkle when he smiles. Harry sighs after he's done laughing, leaning back in his chair.
The sun had set hours ago and it was getting close to midnight. Even though I had work tomorrow and I should probably be going to bed, I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to go another four weeks without seeing him.
His cheeks were pink from the wine he'd been drinking all night and his hair was no longer perfectly styled. He had changed into a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, his skin looking softer than ever. His lips were even redder than usual, causing me to keep stealing glances at them. Everything about Harry at that moment radiated beauty.
Silence surrounds us as we stare at each other, my heart racing, and my fingers going numb. I freeze when he reaches his hand out, taking the white camellia from behind my ear, "Mind if I keep this?" He asks with a small smile, bringing it to his nose.
"Go ahead," I breathe, melting at the way his red lips contrasted with the white petals, "I have plenty more."
Green eyes stare back at me as I sit there, completely overwhelmed by him. The sudden urge to kiss him washes over me and I don't know what to do. Every bone in my body was telling me to kiss him, but my brain was hesitant. I'm not ready to let someone back into my life just yet. It feels like it's too soon.
"It's getting a bit late," Harry yawns, stretching his arms over his head. I sigh in relief, looking away from him and to the empty glass of wine sitting in front of me, "Want me to walk you home?"
"No. That's okay," I shake my head, "I'm only about two blocks away and you're already home."
He stands up, taking my empty glass and placing it in the sink, "I don't mind," he hums while throwing away the pizza box.
"I'll be fine," I smile, grabbing my things. Harry walks with me to the door, holding it open for me as we stand in the doorway, "Goodnight, Harry."
He leans towards me and places a kiss on my cheek, sending a shock throughout my body, "Goodnight, Aurora," he smiles. I turn away, completely dumbfounded at the way his soft lips felt against my skin.
The entire walk home felt like a fever dream, the lingering feeling of his lips keeping me warm.
●●●●●
"And then he leaned in and kissed my cheek," I explain to Liam while putting together an arrangement of flowers.
"He likes you," Liam smirks, sending me that you-like-him-too look.
"What are we, twelve?" I groan in annoyance, angrily shoving a flower into the vase, "I'm not ready, Liam. I can't go through what I went through last time." My heart can't handle that right now. Maybe not ever again.
The door opens and in walks a young couple smiles gracing their faces as they hold each other's hand, "Welcome to Aurora's Flower Shop!" Liam says from behind the counter we were standing at. They send us a smile and walk around the store, eyeballing the multitude of flowers. "Just give him a chance. He seems like a nice guy. Louis has been friends with him since primary school."
I sigh, knowing he was right. If I push every guy away then I'm going to end up all alone. Being alone seemed much better than having my heart broken, but I knew that in the end, I would want someone there by my side. Harry made me feel something deep down inside that was starting to surface the longer I get to know him. It was something I don't think I've ever felt before.
Liam checks the couple out once they've found a bouquet they liked. I watch them as they leave, remembering when Harry and I came here yesterday. Lately, all I can think about is him. He invades my dreams and my thoughts every second of the day. My fingers graze over the spot on my cheek that he kissed, smiling to myself as I think about the way he was so close to me.
"Have you two even had an official date yet?" Liam asks me.
"Nope," I sigh. I wasn't sure if I'd consider yesterday a date, although it felt like one, "I think we're just friends right now. Friends is a lot simpler than dating."
Liam raises his eyebrows, not saying a word. He could see right through me and that's what I hated about it.
Being friends with Harry was something I didn't mind at all, but I knew that sooner than later I'd fall for him. Everything about him made me fall deeper into him every time I saw him or got near him, which left me in big trouble. Deep down I knew I still wasn't over my last relationship, but I knew I was also ready to move on. He wasn't coming back any time soon, so why not move on and start a new relationship? Harry seemed like the right person to do just that. Harry was someone I could fall in love with.
When a relationship starts with people just being friends, it makes the actual relationship blossom as they get to know each other in a better way. Dating puts so much pressure on each other because they feel like they have to get to know each other, rather than letting things happen on their own. That's why I feel like I'll be happier with being friends with Harry first. It'll make me feel better to know that I'm not moving on too fast, even though it's been almost two years now. In reality, it had only felt like a few months.
My relationship with him lasted for three years, two of those years involving us being engaged. I think that's why it's so hard for me to move on. Those three years were so magical and I couldn't move or properly breathe for months after he left me. We were too young and thought that loving each other was enough, but it was more than love. We didn't take his career into consideration until things started taking off, and that's when things started going downhill.
"How does one burn spaghetti if they're standing right over it?" Liam asks suddenly, turning to look at me.
I laugh softly and shrug my shoulders, "I don't know. I was wondering the same thing." Maybe he just isn't a good cook. "How's Louis? I know I just saw him last night, but I didn't get to tell him goodbye."
"He's great. Sassy as ever," Liam chuckles, his cheeks turning a bit pink as he bites his bottom lip.
I observe him intently for a few moments, taking in his glossy eyes and pink cheeks.
"Oh my god!" I laugh, turning to face Liam completely, "You two had sex last night, didn't you? Here I am rambling on about me when you had sex."
Liam's face turns red as he stares at me with wide eyes, "What would make you think that?" He laughs nervously.
"Oh please. I think I know my best friend," I roll my eyes, "So? How was it?"
"It was fucking amazing," he laughs and I smile at him, "I swear that was the best sex of my life. I won't tell you how many times we did it because you'll get jealous."
I laugh, shaking my head at his words. I'm glad that he's happy with Louis. He hasn't necessarily been at the top of his game here recently until he met Louis. They were polar opposites yet they seemed perfect for each other. Louis is the type of person who always tries to make you happy and laugh by using his sassy mouth.
"I'm glad you're happy. It feels good when I walk in here and you have a smile on your face," I say, wrapping my arm around his waist.
"Same goes for you," he says, raising his eyebrows at me, "You don't notice it but ever since you met Harry, you've been in a much better mood."
"Well, then. We're both happy, aren't we?" I smile up at him.
"We are," he smiles back at me.
●●●●●
Hello! I think I'm going to start updating three times a week simply because I'm so excited about this book. I'm just so in love with what I have planned for this story.
Also, this is just a filler chapter so I'm sorry I'm making you guys wait for the action. Just hang in there with me and your needs will be met!
Thank you for reading and I love you all so so much!!!
~Alex