The state I'm in COMPLETED

Second surprise

I agreed to buy the second dress Cathrine showed me—not because I loved it, but because I didn't have the strength to keep shopping after what had happened with Leo. I was barely holding it together, forcing a smile, pretending nothing had changed—for Cathrine's sake, but mostly for my own.

"You're easy to please, Val. I hope you have a great time tonight with Harry."

Harry. Jesus. I had completely forgotten about Harry.

How the hell was I supposed to tell him what happened? He would either quit his job or go looking for a fight with Leo, and I couldn't let that happen. Not now. Not ever. The guilt churned inside me, but I pushed it down. I had no choice. For now, I wouldn't say a word.

I hated keeping things from him. If the situation were reversed, I'd want to know—but Harry's life was already complicated enough. He didn't need another reason to feel betrayed. I would carry this burden alone.

And Leo... God, Leo. His face when he told me. That raw pain in his eyes. The weight in his voice.

For years, we had been inseparable—like brother and sister. But that kiss... it hadn't felt gross. It just felt wrong.

I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts as I entered my house. My mother was waiting in my room, eyeing my overnight bag suspiciously.

"Sweetie, are you staying at Rose's or Cathrine's tonight? Why the bag?"

I swallowed. Here we go.

"Mom, please don't hate me, but I'm staying at Harry's tonight."

Her face tensed for a moment, but then she exhaled. "I don't hate you, honey. Just be careful." She hesitated. "He lives with his parents, right?"

"Yeah, he does."

She nodded, seeming relieved that other people would be there. "Okay then. Have fun."

As she turned to leave, she paused at the doorway. "By the way, if you see Leo, tell him I'm cooking his favourite tomorrow."

My stomach twisted. If only she knew.

The spring green dress Cathrine picked out fit perfectly—classy but still fun. I straightened my hair, applied light makeup, and checked my reflection one last time. I was ready.

Or at least, I looked the part.

Harry was right on time. He stood at my door in black skinny jeans and a white button-down, his curls falling effortlessly around his ridiculously handsome face. In his hands, he held a bouquet of lilac tulips—my favourite.

I melted.

"Baby, you look incredible," he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek when—

"Ahem."

My mother.

"Hi, Harry. How are you?" she asked, her voice laced with formality.

"Fine, Mrs. Cameron. How about you?" He handed me the tulips, and I quickly passed them to my mom before she could interrogate him further.

She eyed him carefully. "Harry, Val is staying with you tonight. You are responsible for her."

"Mom, I'm right here. I can hear you."

Harry grinned, unfazed. "Don't worry, Mrs. Cameron. My dad has an alarm system. Val is safe with me."

Her lips pressed together, but she nodded.

As soon as we stepped outside, I exhaled. "I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be. I get it. She's just being a mom." He tilted his head, admiring me. "You look amazing. And I knew tulips were your favourite."

"How?"

"Because I pay attention, baby." He kissed me again. "Let's get going before she comes back out with a contract for me to sign."

I laughed and grabbed his arm, but the moment I touched him, he winced.

"Harry?" I frowned. "Are you hurt?"

"No, babe. I'm fine. Let's go."

I didn't believe him, but I let it slide.

Chloe's was fancy. The kind of place where the plates were small, but the bill was large.

I should have been grateful. Instead, I felt like an actor playing a role—smiling, nodding, making conversation, all while my mind spiralled.

Leo. The kiss. The secret.

Harry kept watching me. "Baby, are you okay?"

I forced a smile. "Yeah. Just thinking about my mom telling my dad."

"Don't worry too much—especially not tonight, baby." He squeezed my hand. "We'll deal with that when we need to. Besides, I think your mom is warming up to me. And God, you look beautiful. How did I get so lucky?"

His words should have made me feel better. But the guilt was heavy.

After dinner, he checked his phone and glanced at me. "Baby, do you mind if we stop by Kahlua? Pete forgot his wallet and needs some cash."

Pete. Yeah, right.

I smirked. "Sure."

We walked through the packed club, and I braced myself. Harry led me past the crowd toward the VIP section when—

"SURPRISE!"

A chorus of voices boomed over the music. Cheers erupted, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Everyone was here.

Rose, holding a cake that read "Happy Birthday, Valerie" in pink frosting. Cathrine and her new boyfriend. Pete. Lucy. Friends from school, uni, even my brothers—who had apparently heard about Harry but weren't freaking out.

And then... Leo.

I froze as I felt someone touch my shoulder. Turning, I barely had time to react before Leo's arms wrapped around me.

"Happy birthday, Val," he whispered, holding me too tight, too long. "I'm sorry."

He kissed my cheek and pulled away, retreating next to Chris. But his eyes never left mine.

Harry lit the candle on my cake, and everyone sang. I blew it out, barely able to process what had just happened.

Then, before I could catch my breath—

"Happy birthday, Val. Happy birthday, baby! I love you. God, I love you so much."

Harry's lips crashed against mine in a deep, possessive kiss. I melted into him, forgetting everything until—

He winced. Again.

I pulled back. "Harry, what is it?"

He hesitated. "Baby, don't get mad. It's your birthday present."

I blinked. "What?"

He slowly unbuttoned his cuff and rolled up his sleeve. My stomach dropped as I noticed the white bandage.

"No, no, no..."

He smirked, peeling it away, revealing inked skin.

There it was.

Valerie.

Tattooed on his forever.

He grinned. "Happy birthday?"