Catching Red Eyes - NYC

Chapter 6

I made my way back inside and avoided where the lights and cameras were being set up. I booked it to the nearest bathroom and closed and locked the door behind me. I slowly raised my eyes to my reflection and covered my mouth with my hand. Oh my God. If there was ever a time to look as terrible as I did, why now? My eyes were puffy from lack of sleep, my face was blotchy and red, and my hair…it looked completely lifeless and stringy. The only appealing feature could have been my blue eyes but under the puffiness and bags, they were completely hidden. I should have changed my sweater too. I slept in it on the plane and it probably needed washing. I tried to give my hair some life by shaking it out and even used some hair spray that was in the hotel bathroom. I grabbed my bag and thanked God I decided to pack my makeup and a change of clothes. I only wore blush and mascara but it was enough. I changed my sweater to an oversized white t-shirt and pulled my necklace forward. I changed my jeans to my ripped lighter wash ones and tucked them into my boots. I looked at myself in the mirror again. It was an improvement. I wish Laurie was here. She would have done some magic hair trick but for now it was the best I could do. I took one last look and unlocked the door to only be bombarded by a warm body smelling of firewood and something sweet. I felt dizzy with his scent wrapped around me. I wish I could bottle it and keep it with me always.

“S-sorry, I…I was just…changing.”

“I can see that.” His eyes moved up and down my body and I wish he would use more than his eyes. I blushed at the thought and excused myself past him. What was wrong with me? Sure, he was extremely hot but guys at NYU were hot too. Maybe it was his accent or something else? Whatever it was, I couldn’t stop myself picturing him on the other side of that door moving his tight jeans down to expose his-oh God I need to stop. This is ridiculous. I am 21 years old and am a college student at work. I am a professional. I can do this and not picture what Harry looks like under his shirt and under his jeans. Shit. I am going to lose this game.

I took a deep breath as the bathroom door opened and he walked out. Our eyes locked and I couldn’t not stare. I watched him sit across from Marc. The lights on him were bright and the cameras started rolling. I heard Marc talking and I felt people moving around me, but I only could pay attention to the green eyed dark haired beauty in front of me. He would flash a smile to Marc or to the cameras and it would dazzle me. Every so often, he would look over at me and just stare until Marc asked him something else. I began to feel eyes on me from the other people in the room and I felt the blood rush to my face again. I looked away from Harry and kept my eyes down.

In a whirl of wires and cameras, the interview was over. Marc was thanking Harry and my boss was beckoning me to follow him out the door. Security was making moves to transport Harry. I felt myself get up and head for the door with Marc but something was pulling me back into the room. I looked back and locked eyes with him one last time before he was swallowed up by security guards. And that was it. I was in the same elevator with the same security and then in the same town car leaving behind the green eyed man.