Elude [H.S.]

TWENTY-SIX

(There's no set time to listen to the song above. The song as a whole just captures this chapter for me.)

Natalia and I walk into my apartment after I get the door unlocked - my heart pounding in my chest. I'm glad Maeve was able to think of a lie as easily as she did. I was incredibly shocked to find her walking down the hallway once Natalia and I returned from dinner. I hadn't seen her since I left her in that bedroom at Lyn and Grey's.

It's been eating me up every day since.

I shouldn't have left her like that when she needed me, especially after what she had gone through that day, but I had to protect myself. Letting her back in just opens myself up to getting hurt again and I won't do that again. I can't.

Maeve remains standing in the doorway in a while and I'm sure she's remembering everything that happened the last time she was here. I know I am.

"I'm going to go ahead and hop in the shower," Natalia says and I turn around as she slips out of her heels, hooking the ankle straps onto her fingers. She pushes herself onto her tiptoes and presses her lips against mine. Smiling at me, she turns her attention over to Maeve. "It was nice to see you again, Maeve. I meant what I said about us all going out for drinks sometime."

I can tell Maeve's smile is forced but she manages to give Natalia a nod. "Sure, yeah. I'll have to see when I'm free."

Natalia gives me one more kiss before walking around me and I keep my eyes on her as she heads into the bathroom.

Once the door is shut, I look over to Maeve to see her looking at her feet and I can feel the nervousness and embarrassment radiating off of her.

"Maeve," I say softly as I set my keys down on the coffee table.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know where else I could go."

Her voice is so small and I can see her arms shaking - indicating that her hands are trembling behind her back. Shrugging off my blazer, I drape it over the back of the couch and then walk over to her.

"What's going on?" I ask while sliding my curled index finger under her chin and I lift her head up - forcing her to look at me. "Talk to me."

"I just...I found some things today and I don't know what to do anymore," She whispers and she looks up, her green eyes staring into mine. It's then I notice how red they are and I know something has to be very wrong.

My first thought is that she's back at the house and I'm praying that I'm wrong.

"Found some things?" I question and shake my head. "Maeve, you're not back at the house, are you?"

I watch as she drags her bottom lip between her teeth and she takes a step back from me. "I'm sorry for coming here today, Harry. I really am. I'll stop intruding on your happiness. You and her seem very serious and I don't want to get in the way of that for you."