Red String 2 {h.s}

Chapter 13

After the concert, everyone stayed at the venue socializing until late. Niall swung by purposely after the concert so as to not take any attention away from Harry's big night but still wanting to celebrate him. Harry congratulated him on his big performance at Saturday Night Live the weekend before.

Amy found it interesting watching them interact. It was so much different than how he interacted with the rest of his friends. You could tell there was a shared history, as well as an understanding of the expectations they both faced. There was an ease he had with him, like he was family. When Harry got pulled in different directions away from their conversation, Niall understood and didn't take offense to it. He was the one person from the band that Harry had maintained a relationship with. Liam and him never had much in common. Louis keeps to himself, staying out of the limelight for the most part. Niall and him had a few of the same friends and lived close to each other in London and LA (before he sold his place).  Their musical taste was similar too, and they often unintentionally ended up at the same concerts.

Amy felt her hand being grabbed and looked up to see Harry with his other arm around Niall.

"This is Amy. My fiancée," Harry says with pride.

"About time I met you! Bring it in!" he says gesturing for them to hug. He pulls her in for a tight hug and a polite kiss to her cheek. "How have you managed to keep this quiet for so long?!"

"Luck. Pure luck. And only trusting a certain few with the news," Harry says, nudging Niall with his elbow.

"I'm excited for tomorrow though," Niall says, referring to their second engagement dinner. It's good timing with a lot of their favorite Londoners back home for the holidays. "The boys coming?"

Amy watches Harry still, his hand immediately going to the back of his neck and rubbing. She can sense he is uncomfortable with the answer.

"We're keeping it pretty small. Close friends only," Harry tries to say as gently as possible. Amy is thankful when she sees Niall nod at the answer, not needing a further explanation.

"Well, then I feel special I got the invite," he says reaching out and touching Harry's shoulder in reassurance.

"I heard you are the person to beat at ping pong," Amy directs at Niall, and she sees Harry shoulders lift at the change of topic.

"Are you challenging me?" Niall asks jovially.

"Don't bet on it! She'll end up owning your penthouse when you're done!" Harry advises Niall laughing, making Amy roll her eyes at him. She kisses him softly before following Niall over to the ping pong tables for a match.

Thirty minutes later they both come back with a big grins on their faces and this time it's his arm across Amy's shoulders.

"She whooped me!" he says, pointing to Amy, but directing his words at Harry who is now talking to Mitch.

"I think he let me win," Amy shrugs.

"He would never!"
"I would never!"
Both Harry and Niall say at the same time.

"He's like me and way too competitive to ever throw a match," Harry explains.

Amy feels slightly proud of herself now for beating him. Niall had told her that they used to play a lot of ping pong on the road when they were touring with the band. Although, Niall reluctantly admitted that it was Harry who always won the tournaments.

Someone from the venue comes and lets them know that the main area is clear now and the group of them can move there. It's a regular bar most of the time, with bands that play on the small stage. The bartenders have stayed on from the show to serve Harry's group and music begins playing over the speakers. What was once the pit for the show has been transformed into a dance floor with flashing lights.