Heat - Harry Styles

twenty-one

Sorry for the long wait! Don't forget to vote and comment to let me know what you think! I know it sounds silly but comments and votes really encourage me to write lolol

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"Hi," I practically whispered as I opened the door.

"Hey," he breathed.

Harry was standing on my doorstep rubbing the palms of his hands on his pants. He looked nervous, even more nervous than he had looked when he met Mims. I wanted to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay but I could hardly hold it together myself. Harry and I had built this relationship so carefully and we had done so completely alone. It was scary to think that it could all come crashing down after one dinner. If my parents didn't approve of Harry, I knew it would be hard for us to stay together. I would struggle with the fact that they didn't get along and I knew that Harry would grow to resent me for letting them come between us at all.

"Everything is going to be okay," I assured him. "Just be yourself. They're going to love you just as much as I do." I leaned in and gave him an encouraging peck on the cheek.

He nodded and walked inside, following me into the kitchen. His hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his trousers. He was even more dressed up for this dinner than he was when he met my grandmother. He wore tan pants, a white dress shirt, and an olive green blazer. If the situation was any less nerve wracking, I would undress him right there in the kitchen.

"Mom, Dad?" I called over. They both turned around quickly and smiled in our direction. "This is Harry," I introduced him as they walked over excitedly.

My dad held out his hand and greeted Harry with a genuine smile. "Hi, Harry. I'm John but my friends call me Jack."

Harry smiled back and shook his hand firmly. "Hi Jack, thank you so much for having me tonight."

He turned his attention to my mother, who smiled widely at him. Harry didn't seem to notice that my mother had been dissecting his every move. "You must be Sloane's mother. It's so lovely to meet you, Mrs. Rutledge."

"Oh, please," she waved her hand with a smile that seemed to be real, "call me Cecelia. It is so wonderful to meet you, Harry. Our little Honeybee has told us so much about you."

"All good things I hope," he joked, earning a chuckle from all of us. I was grateful for this bit of comedic relief, no matter how corny the joke. The room was beginning to feel lighter already.

"Of course," my mother laughed. "All good things from Louisa, too."

"And she's the toughest critic of them all," my father added.

"Why don't we go ahead and sit down before the food gets cold. Harry, can I get you a glass of wine?" I asked, eager to get the night moving. I figured the sooner I could get a few glasses of wine into everyone, the sooner we all would loosen up.

"That would be great, love. Thank you."

"So Harry," my dad began as they all sat down, "you have a beautiful accent. Where in England are you from?"

"I grew up in a village about three hours north of London. It's called Holmes Chapel," Harry said. I could tell he still hadn't completely relaxed, but I handed him his wine in hopes that it would calm his nerves. I was grateful that my parents were willing to carry the conversation so far.

"You know, I've never been to London," my dad said wistfully. "You've been to London a few times haven't you, Bee?"

"A few," I nodded, earning a glance from Harry.