Summer Daze [h.s.]

Chapter 16

One week later

The sweltering heat was winding down now that we were finally crawling out of one of the hottest summers on record.

I walk into Radio coffee determined to have an open mind. Harry asked for me to give him the opportunity to explain, and after a ton of internal work and therapy yesterday, I'd decided that it was the right thing to do. I texted him two days ago and said to meet me for coffee before work and without hesitation he said when and where.

Scanning the semi crowded shop, I find an empty table next to the far back row of windows. I decided to go ahead and order a matcha latte before he showed. It'll give my hands something to do. Taking a seat, I sip on my latte and scroll through my phone to kill some time. I couldn't help but show up 15 minutes early, stupid fucking anxiety.

The chime of the bell above the door causes my eyes to snap up. Harry walks in wearing the brightest colored shirt I'd ever seen him in; blown rainbow stripes and baggy vintage jeans. He pushes his sunglasses atop his head, and I notice they're my favorite pair he owns. The dark brown ones with amber colored lenses. Id steal them from him every chance I got when we went to cape cod.

I shake off the memory of that weekend and wave timidly at him. He shares a sweet smile and orders himself a drink and a pastry. My knee bounced uncontrollably underneath the table, counting down the seconds until this was over.

Walking over to me, Harry takes his sunglasses and tucks them in his t-shirt before sitting down. His focus goes from his warm cup of black coffee to me instantly. "Good morning." He greets.

I clear my throat out of nerves. "Morning."

I try not to keep eye contact for too long. Looking at him with the warm morning light shining through the windows, his eyes glistened the softest green I'd ever seen. Usually they were a sage color with flecks of blue, but today they were an olive green that reminded me of a peridot gemstone. Forever breathtaking.

Don't get distracted, don't get distracted.

"I gotta say, I'm shocked you agreed to meet me." He muttered.

"It shouldn't be a surprise that I keep my word. I promised to hear you out, and unlike you I keep my promises."

Harry doesn't respond to my snarky comment, but I did notice a flinch. His gaze bounces around looking anywhere but my face. I know it was a low blow, but I'm just in that kind of mood today.

"Thanks for giving me the chance, Reagan. I appreciate it."

I shift in my seat and get right to it. "Enough pleasantries. What's this all about? I made it pretty clear that I was done."

"I know, I just wanted to give you the full story, and you ask me whatever you want."

"Fine." I steal a piece of his cherry danish since he hasn't even bothered to touch it and to my surprise, he didn't gripe or scold me for it. Usually I'd get a playful swat on the back of the hand, but his lack of reaction was just another reminder that things are not the same. We're both guarded right now- me more than him, and it needed to stay that way. "I have a question." I prompt.