Cherry Bomb [H.S.]

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

When I hear the sound of gravel stirring in my driveway, I immediately pull up my phone to access my security cameras, and I see a car with an Uber sign illuminated in the windshield - indicating that Harry is back. A sense of relief washes through me at that. I didn't necessarily doubt that he wouldn't be back, but I wasn't sure if he would get caught up in whatever he needed to take care of. I figure that whatever it was had to deal with his mom, or maybe even Rylan, but I'm not going to push him to talk about it. What matters is that he's here, and he came back. I know that here he's safe.

I get up from the couch and walk over to the front door, opening it just as Harry is stepping out of the car with a duffel bag filled to the brim over his shoulder. His longer hair flows a bit in the breeze, and I can't help the large smile that takes over my face as he starts to make his way towards me.

"Hi," I say once he climbs up the last step - now fully in front of me.

There's a flutter in my stomach as his eyes roam my face before he responds to me. "Hey."

Such simple introductions from the two of us, but it's all we need. I bite down on my lower lip as I walk forward and tuck myself into his chest before encompassing him in my arms. Harry responds to my touch immediately - curling his taller body around mine. I can feel his chest rise as he inhales my scent, and I can't help but do the same to him.

I hear the sound of the car leaving my driveway, but neither of us move. His fingers lazily run through my hair which causes goosebumps to cascade all over my skin. Breathing in and out evenly through my nose, I do my best to keep my pulse from racing, but it's hard. Between last night and this morning, my emotions when it comes to Harry are everywhere. But really, who am I kidding? They've been everywhere since he started making it clear he wants to attempt to go to know each other again.

I reluctantly pull myself back, but only enough to rest my chin against Harry's chest as I look up at him. "Everything okay?"

Harry rolls his lips into his mouth as he lifts one of his hands, swiping his fingertips over my cheek before tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Mhmm."

He runs those same fingertips along my jawline before squeezing my chin between the pad of his thumb and the side of his index finger. It takes everything in me to not press onto my tiptoes and tilt my head back just a little further so I can connect my lips with his as he stares down at me with those captivating ivy colored eyes.

After only a moment or two longer, we separate and head inside. "You can take your bag to the guest room, if you want. As far as I see it, that room is yours."

"Marlowe," I hear Harry say, and I know by the tone he's getting onto me a little bit.

"I know, I know," I sigh, shaking my head as I purse my lips to the side. "I just want you to know that it's available for you whenever, and I mean that."