When Destiny Hesitates [ZARRY]

Chapter 16

Zayn's POV

I shift restlessly in my seat at dinner, anticipation making my foot tap under the table. Tonight my parents invited Luke and his family over for a meal at our house. I've been waiting all day to get Luke alone so I can finally confess about kissing Harry again earlier this week.

Ever since Harry left that night with kiss-swollen lips and stars in his smiling eyes, I've been floating. I just haven't figured out the right way to ask him on an actual date yet. But if anyone can help me plan something special, it's Luke.

My chance comes sooner than expected when Luke follows me upstairs after dinner to hang out in my bedroom. As soon as the door clicks shut, I spin to face him eagerly making Luke pause with eyebrows raised.

"Well someone is eager for alone time!" He laughs. "If I didn't know better I'd think you wanted to ravage me up here or something." Luke waggles his eyebrows playfully.

I roll my eyes fondly. Only Luke can joke so comfortably about our past romantic history morphing into lifelong friendship. It's part of why I love him so damn much as my best mate...he never lets things get weird between us even as life keeps evolving.

"Very funny Lucas," I deadpan back. "But actually yeah I'm excited to tell you something big."

Luke's grinning expression shifts to curiosity. He comes over, hopping backwards onto my unmade bed and patting the spot beside him in invitation. I sink down facing him cross-legged, nerves making my pulse pick up speed.

"Alright Malik, spill! What's got you all bouncy tonight?" Luke asks. His tone is light but eyes radiate genuine interest.

I take a steadying breath clasping my hands together tightly. "So you know how Harry came over to my house the other day to work on our English project?"

Luke nods, miming continue with a 'go on' hand gesture when I hesitate. No turning back now...

"We ended up kissing again. Like properly this time, not drunk or accidental," I admit in a rush. "And I really like him Luke. Like can't stop thinking about holding his hand or making him smile like more than friends, you know?"

I chance a timid glance up from my knotted fingers. Luke's face splits into a huge grin as what I just confessed sinks in. He smacks my knee excitedly making me huff out a surprised laugh.

"Zayn Malik you dark horse! Macking on young Harold two times now and trying to keep it secret?" Luke clicks his tongue playfully. "For shame..."

Before I can defend myself, he tackles me backwards onto the blankets giggling. I easily flip us over, pinning Luke's flailing arms down as we roughhouse like ten year olds again. The familiar intimacy feels comforting even as my racing thoughts threaten to spiral out of control.

As our laughter finally dies down, Luke rolls up on an elbow peering at me closely. His smiling eyes soften understandingly seeing nerves creeping back in.

"Really Z, I'm happy for you guys. Harry seems to be letting you in more lately which is huge," he says sincerely giving my arm an encouraging squeeze.. "So what's the next step here Romeo? Gonna ask him out proper?"

My cheeks flush thinking about getting up the courage for an actual first date invite. Harry said he felt the same spark now but my confidence still wavers around him sometimes. Like one false move could spook him right back into closed off silence.

I release a heavy breath staring up at the ceiling. "I want to Luke, believe me. Just don't want to mess this up you know? He deserves something special..."

I trail off feeling unexpectedly vulnerable about the whole thing now saying it out loud. Sensing this, Luke rolls fully onto his stomach facing me head-on. I give him a timid half smile which he returns pointedly.