This Love

Chapter 83

HARRY STYLES

My lungs are just about out of oxygen, but the living room floor is covered in balloons of various shades of pink just like Scarlett wanted. The whole second story of the flat is covered in various shades of pink, actually. It's Hailey's favorite color and it's her birthday party, so I'm happy to be of service.

"Okay, are we missing anything?" Scarlett stands by the couch with her hands on her cheeks, glancing around the room. "We've got the banner, all the balloons are blown up, the cake is in the fridge, she decided on pizza for dinner, and the alcohol has been put away."

I laugh at the look of stress on her face. "You did an amazing job, Scar. She's gonna love it."

"Is it too childish, though?" She only appears to be more panicked now as that thought creeps in. "Oh my God, H, it looks like a party for a baby!"

"No, it doesn't," I walk over to move her hands away so I can hold her face instead. "She said she loves pink and sparkly shit. Look around."

Her lips purse in consideration as she takes in all the pink glitter residue on the couch and hardwood floor. "I guess it's cute."

"I promise she'll be happy," I kiss her forehead. "And she'll be here any minute, so no more tears."

"Okay, you're right, you're right," she sniffles and swipes under her eyes. "I need to change and get my shit together."

While she does that, I decide to take Max on a quick walk around the block to get some energy out before everyone gets here. He's been doing better around the house in terms of no longer having bathroom accidents, but he needs to be watched every second that he's not in his crate. I'm looking forward to the day that we won't have to worry about that anymore, though Scar and I have tried to appreciate every moment of his puppy behavior when we know that it's only a phase that we'll eventually come to miss.

And speaking of puppies, or babies, I suppose, Scarlett found out that she isn't pregnant. I just remembered this morning that she was supposed to figure it out yesterday, but she took a negative test while I was out and waited to tell me because she thought I would be disappointed. I was, just not disappointed in her by any means. I'm just sad that it didn't work, but I'm more relieved that she doesn't seem to be too torn up about it. I was afraid that she would break down if it didn't work the first time, but she's doing alright.

As for my own news for her, I got the keys to the house from Crystal early this morning while Scarlett was still sleeping, so I've decided that I'm doing to surprise her with it tonight. We're going to be celebrating Hailey's birthday with all her friends, as well as ours, but I'm planning to sneak us out for about an hour so that she can see it as the same blank slate I did. I think it'll help cushion the blow for the negative pregnancy test a bit. Or so I hope.

Just as Max and I are rounding the corner to get back home, I see Hailey getting out of her friend's Range Rover with two other girls and all their shopping bags. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday this year and she said she was dying to get some new clothes, so Scarlett and I gave her five hundred pounds. I'm sure it's not much compared to what her parents used to allow her, but she was so grateful for it just the same.

"Hey, how was the shopping?" I ask as her friends freak out over Max on his leash.

"It was fun," she smiles as Max focuses mostly on her. He must recognize her scent, I'm sure. "Thank you again for the money."

"Yeah, of course," I say hi to Mary and Sarah before we head inside and up the stairs for Hailey to see the decorations for her party. The pink is blinding, but her reaction is what I know Scarlett will have hoped it would be.