The Reporter

Chapter 13: The Hudson Cafe

The funny thing about New York City is that it always smells like french fries. Not like the ones you get served with your hamburger in a restaurant. Greasy, fried, McDonald's french fries. As gross as it sounds that a city can smell like that, it smells really good.

It is such a beautiful August day today that I decided to walk to the Hudson Cafe. My black and white aztec patterned sundress brushing against my ankles each stride I make. I am wearing a matching sun hat with sunglasses and maroon lipstick.

The best part of my outfits each day is the lipstick. The only make up I wear is lipstick and a little bit of mascara, but I like to go all out with the lip colors. Whether it is an eye capturing hot pink or a super edgy maroon it is always the highlight of my outfits.

After walking 7 blocks I finally made it to the Cafe. I looked at my gold watch, 3:55, good I was right on time, we made reservations for 4.

When I walked in I inhaled deeply at the delicious smell of seafood and looked around. Finally my eyes caught Harry waving me over. I could feel my heart rate pick up and my palms get a little sweaty.

I walked over to the table. We were seated in a booth against the windows. When you looked out the window you could see the waters of the Hudson Bay and the George Washington bridge. The Hudson Bay was what separated the island from New Jersey. Since New Jersey was my home state looking at the tall buildings across the water made me think of home. What was my mom doing without me? Did she even still own our house? What is she doing for a job? Is it bad that I haven't even tried to call her?

"So..." said Harry, though he drew it out making it akward. I quickly looked up at Harry and he was wearing a blue and white striped V-neck top with a navy blue beane. Beanies are so cute on him I thought dreamily but then immediately snapped out of it.

My face flushed a little before I cleared my throat and said,"These are beautiful seats."

"They are, aren't they? So peaceful," He stared out over the bay. I have to admit it was weird seeing a relaxed version of Harry, but I liked it nonetheless. "So what happened last night?" Right to the point.

"Ummm..." I said nervously biting the inside of my lip looking anywhere but Harry's eyes. Should I tell him the truth?

"Please tell me, Chris. I've been in these types of situations before and it always works out the best when you tell the truth."

I let out a long sigh. "Ok well I was at the same club as you with my friend Danielle," Harry raised his eyebrows at me, "What? Don't act so surprised,"

"Sorry you just don't look like the clubbing type to me." It was true but I wasn't going to let him know that.

"Do you want me to tell you or not?" Harry just nodded and I kept going "Anyway, you were insanely drunk and you didn't even tell the other boys that you were out so I decided to put our past behind us," a quick look of guilt flashed over his eyes before being replaced with curiosity again, "and drive you home. When I got you into the apartment I put you in bed and got some water and advil. Before I could leave you stopped me and told me that... youreallylikemealot," the last part came out as a jumble of words.

"What?" He said.

"I said that you told me that you really liked me a lot."

"Oh," said Harry. He face was redder then a tomato and he was uncomfortably scratching the back of his neck, "Well its true," he added not looking in my eyes.

My heart skipped a beat, my stomach flipped, and my cheeks reddened all at the same time. We both stared at each other for a second before bursting out laughing.

Finally when the laughter died down, a waiter came by to take our orders. I wanted to make a comment about how last time he freaked out when the person took our orders, but we were on good terms and I didn't want to ruin it.

"Can I take your ordier, sir?" Our waiter had a heavy French accent. He had a round belly and a classic skinny mustache. The big, fluffy, white chefs hat fit perfectly on his head.

Harry looked at the menu, "I think we could just share an order of oysters, lobster, and the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Oh, and a botttle of champaigne. Sound good?" Harry asked me. I just nodded my head my stomach grumbling loudly.

"I'll take that as a yes then," said Harry as he chuckled. The waiter walked away with our orders.

Just then my senses kicked in. I quickly opened up a menu and looked at the prices. Our meal costs $250! It would take me a month to pay for that! "Harry, I'm sorry, but we can't order this. It's too expensive I can't afford it. I'm really sorry," I said, not being able to look him in the eyes out of embarrassment.

"Chris," he said softly. I slowly looked up at him, "I'm paying for this meal, my treat. A lovely girl like you deserves special treatment once in a while." I blushed and felt a warm feeling spread across my heart. My last boyfriend Ed had made me pay for every meal we ate together, that douche for how he treated me, but he was the last thing I wanted to think about.

"Thank you," I whispered back, "you don't even know how much this means to me."

The waiter came back with our meal. It smelled so good. "For zee loovely couple."

Me and Harry both looked at him and said at the same time, "Oh we're not dating."

"Oh trust me, you vill be zoon enough," he smiled at us with a glint in his eyes like he knew something we didn't.

In the corner of the room a band of violins, clarinets, and flutes started playing music you would hear in France. It suddenly felt like I was in Paris, the city of love, instead of some restaurant in Manhattan.

With a super kind and hot guy sitting across from me and sipping on the best champaign I've ever had in my life I was as happy as I could ever be.

"You know, we should do this again sometime," said Harry with a smirk.

"Yeah we should," I smiled back.

I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around why a guy like him would choose me, but for some reason he did.

And I was going on another date with Harry Styles.