The Bank of Second Chances | Zarry

Chapter 5: Enamored

Zayn blinked against the sunlight filtering through his curtains, the remnants of sleep clinging to his mind. The night before played like a gentle melody in his head—meeting Harry and his friend Niall had been the highlight of his week. Groggy yet excited, he reached for his phone on the nightstand, a smile tugging at his lips. He opened his messaging app, the words flowing naturally as he typed a good morning text to Harry.

"Good morning, Sunshine 😊 It was really nice meeting you last night. Had a great time. Hope you have a wonderful day! - Zayn"

Zayn hesitated for a moment before hitting send, his finger hovering over the screen. Then, with a small burst of courage, he pressed the button, watching the message disappear into the digital ether. He placed the phone back on the nightstand, stretching lazily before sitting up. A sense of anticipation filled him as he got out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make some coffee.

The familiar aroma of brewing coffee filled the room, mingling with the fresh scent of morning. Zayn leaned against the counter, his thoughts drifting back to Harry. There had been something undeniably captivating about him—a kind of warmth and authenticity that made Zayn feel at ease. He found himself hoping Harry felt the same spark.

His phone buzzed on the counter, pulling him from his reverie. Zayn's heart skipped a beat as he reached for it, eager to see Harry's response.

"Morning, Zayn 😊 It was great meeting you too! Last night was a lot of fun. What are your plans for today?"

Zayn's grin widened as he quickly typed back, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through his chest.

"Not much, just a lazy Sunday for me. How about you? Any exciting plans?"

He hit send and took a sip of his coffee, enjoying the rich flavor. His mind wandered to Harry's son, Arlo, whom Harry had mentioned briefly the night before. Zayn felt a genuine curiosity about Harry's life and the people in it. A soft ding from his phone pulled him from his thoughts.

"Just spending time with my little guy😊"

Zayn's heart melted at the mention of Arlo. He could almost picture the little boy, filled with boundless energy and curiosity. He typed back, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"That sounds wonderful! I'd love to hear more about Arlo. How is he?"

As he waited for Harry's response, Zayn felt a strange sense of connection. It was as if their brief meeting had ignited something deeper, something that transcended their casual acquaintance. His phone buzzed again.

"He's in that phase where everything is an adventure, and he's always discovering new things. Keeps me on my toes!"

Zayn chuckled softly, charmed by the image of Harry chasing after a lively toddler. He decided to take a small step, hoping to deepen their connection.

"That's so cute! I bet he has you wrapped around his little finger. Do you have any recent pictures of him? I'd love to see one if you don't mind."

The seconds seemed to stretch as Zayn waited for Harry's reply. When it finally came, it was accompanied by a photo that made Zayn's heart swell. Arlo was perched on Harry's lap, his tiny hands reaching up to Harry's face, a mischievous grin lighting up his features as he seemed to playfully claw at Harry's cheek. Harry's expression was a mix of amusement and adoration, his eyes sparkling with joy.

Zayn's fingers moved swiftly over the screen, his response coming from a place of genuine affection.

"He's absolutely adorable! You two make such a cute pair. I can see the love in his eyes. Thanks for sharing that with me😊"