Amatory [h.s.]

14

"So you used to work here?" Harry sat across from me in the little coffee shop I chose for us to go to.

"Yeah, this is where I worked before coming to the club. To work for you."

I actually worked here for about three years. It wasn't the best pay but I made due and it worked with my schedule so I loved that. The people were pretty great too. I've found myself missing it a little since quitting.

"I've definitely had better coffee," Harry says as he finishes his cup.

"I happen to love the coffee here," I scoff.

"Well, next time I'm picking the place and getting you a proper cup," He shoots back at my comment.

"Next time?" I repeat but as a question.

"Mhm," He responds. "Next time."

He wants to do this again?

"Harry, can I ask you something?"

He leans back in his chair, nodding.

"What will next time be? I mean, what is this time?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Well, this kinda feels like a date," I explained quietly, feeling embarrassed for saying it out loud for some reason.

I know that this time has something to do with him wanting me out of the club when someone named Theo comes by. Still, this does kind of feel like a date.

"I don't really like to label things so I wouldn't call anything a date," He responds and I feel even more embarrassed for bringing it up to begin with.

"I like sitting across from beautiful people, Sydney," He speaks again, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Don't you?"

"Yeah," I answer, somewhat unconfident.

He rests his arms on the small table between us and leans in a bit closer.

"Do you think I'm beautiful?" He asks, examining my face.

"What?" I ask lowly, wondering if I actually heard him right.

"Do you think I'm beautiful?" He repeats.

"I suppose," I shuffle in my seat nervously as I finally reply.

I do think Harry is beautiful. Very beautiful.

He laughs, slightly shaking his head.

"So next time will be like this time. Two beautiful people having a cup of coffee together," He says, scarcely biting his lip. "A good cup at that, not this watery shit."

"Two beautiful people having a cup of coffee together, huh?" I smile, looking into his charming emerald eyes.

"I suppose."

-

When we got back into Harry's black SUV to leave I felt the need to ask him about the events that I'd been avoiding bringing up thus far.

"Harry, I don't mean to pry at all but what happened last night?" I break the question.

Having the key already in the ignition, he pulls it out and turns toward me.

"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I just- I was really worried," I stammer, sensing the building tension.

"I had a relative pass away and it was unexpected. So unexpected that I kind of lost it, which you saw of course."

"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" I ask carefully.

"Yeah, don't worry yourself. Last night was just a big drunken mistake," He averts his gaze back in front of him. "It won't happen again."