Poppy/H.S

Chapter 42

disclaimer for anyone observing Ramadan, this chapter contains smut - both the beginning and the end are marked by a star if you guys wanna skip it! :)

I fasten the seatbelt, trying to ignore the the volcano of anxiety that has just erupted in my chest and is running through my veins, I sigh as I look both ways before I press the clutch. I put my feet on the gas pedal, gradually pressing it down to ensure a smooth start of the engine. I let out a satisfied breath as I join the traffic, focusing all my attention on the busy roads.

I've never been more nervous and anxious than now, knowing the car is rented and if I return the car with a small, unnoticeable scratch, I will be in big trouble. I continue to drive the rented Volkswagen down the road, praying I will arrive in Hampstead with no complications. Of course, I could've gone by train instead, but considering the fact I want to take Harry out on a date, I've decided that going by car would be a better idea, since I can pick him up rather easily and then drive us to the final destination where I have planned our date to take place.

Thanks to him, I feel much more confident about my driving skills now. As much as I didn't want to drive when he literally begged me to drive back when we had dinner in the diner after his birthday party, I'm glad he talked me into it. It really helped me get back into driving, since I hadn't driven a car in years. It was also his patience which ensured me I was doing well. Now, I drive through the busy streets with ease on my own, keeping all the advice he gave me in mind. I really can't wait to buy my own car, since the rental fee of this one was incredibly overpriced.

When Harry texted me, saying his sister unexpectedly popped into his house earlier today because she decided to take Poppy out for a dress fitting, I found it as a perfect opportunity to surprise him. He's been incredibly nice to me, and caught me off guard by buying me flowers so many times as he thought of various dates we could go on. He even texted me today as soon as Poppy left with Gemma, wondering if I had any plans for the rest of the day.

He was home alone, not having his daughter under his supervision for once, and I was extremely honoured when he said he wanted to spend the time while Poppy and Gemma were the dress fitting with me. Of course, it's a little suspicious if a guy texts you he's home alone and asks you if you want to hang out, since usually this a text you'd send if you want a quick booty call. Harry and I haven't slept together just yet, mainly because we haven't really had the opportunity to have a place just to ourselves. Whenever I came over to Harry's, Poppy was there, and also every time he visited me, he had to take his daughter with him.

I really want our first time to be special, and by special I don't mean candles and rose petals sprawled out across the bed. I want our first time to be spontaneous. I know it will feel right. Harry and I have such a strong connection that we don't really need unnecessary decorations just to set the mood.

We're the mood.

However, as much as I wanted to tell him to come over to Brighton so that we could spend some time together, I thought of a better idea. It's Wednesday, the middle of the week, so he didn't find it odd when I told him I had other places to be, since I was supposed to defend one of my clients at court today.

Fortunately, the trial got rescheduled, which Harry doesn't know yet, leaving me with endless possibilities of how I'd like to spend the free day. Even though I've been studying the materials for this specific case for weeks, the fact it got rescheduled worked out in my favour, so I wasn't even mad one bit.

With the trial rescheduled, leaving me with no other important places to be, I've decided to take Harry by surprise and take him out on a date, since the last date was organised by him and I felt bad for him doing all the work. Our relationship still feels surreal; everything is perfect. Even though we don't see each other as often as we would like, we're texting all the time and we video call almost every night when Poppy's asleep, which was Harry's idea. He's put so much work and effort into this relationship that I can't help but feel like I will never be enough for him, even though he continues to say I'm everything he could ask for.