Taste (H.S. / A.U.)

Chapter 32*

DOUBLE UPDATE: Chapter 32 & 33

HARRY STYLES

I fiddled and spun the rings on my fingers, having put them back on after cooking. I didn't want Elle to think I was unprofessional wearing jewelry in the kitchen, and managed to stuff them in my pockets before she saw me tonight. The words Jade yelled as we left have repeated themselves in my head at least twenty times, if not more. 

Have fun on your date!

Does she think Elle would go on a date with me? Does Elle think this is a date? Should it be a date? Do I want it to be a date? I have more questions than answers and I really don't know if they are worth talking about out loud or even fixating on so desperately. 

I tried to instead busy my mind with being here in the moment with her.  Her hair was down in loose waves that spilled across her shoulders, the vivid burnt tones seemed extra bright against the high neckline of her dress. 

I love this dress.

Eloise had a slight skip in her step and I wanted to attribute it to seeing me, but she already told me while leaving that the class makes her feel excited and jittery. Her smile radiated and lit our way as we walked from the uber into View. When I looked it up it seemed like the ideal place, because it was a rooftop bar that had a view of the entire downtown area of Bangkok, lit up by the night lights. Hopefully, this would be something memorable for Elle. We ended up at a two-top with tall chairs near the glass rails, and the first time we both looked out over the area our breath was absent. The sight even better than we could imagine.

"So, Harry," Elle wraps a delicate hand around her water glass while the wind blows smells of liquor, sugared drinks, and toasted food through the space. "Why did you come tonight? I know you are going to say it was no big deal, but hopping on a jet and flying multiple hours just to learn to cook a tart is a little extreme don't you think?"

Her mouth met with the glass and a stain of lipstick smeared across the space. I couldn't focus on the view because her lips were here, and that's what my mind concentrated on instead. I shrug her question away, instead rolling my back in the chair and trying to seem at it while stretching the tension of the flight away. She was right, it was a little silly, but it seemed worth it now that I was here on... whatever this adventure was.

Her eyes were big and focused on me, not giving me any reprieve from her questions, and she wanted an honest answer. "I had a lot of fun with you recently, and I thought you might want to see me again." She nodded slowly, her hands coming together and clasping under her chin to prop up while a tight lipped smile was aimed at me. I wasn't sure what it meant. "Honestly, I wanted to see you again Elle. You are a breathe of fresh air in my life."

Her mouth parts but nothing comes out because she was cut short by bad timing, instead a waiter was the one to break apart my admission. I was fully prepared to try and reason my way through the menu with pointing and embarrassment, knowing that there was a potential barrier language, but instead after a singular look the man surprised me. "English?" I nod. "Welcome, have you been here before?"

"No, do you have recommendations?"

He showed us and told us about different options, which each seemed appealing, despite the fact I was not hungry. In fact, I just ate my weight in probably too much food during class, and instead wanted something simple and drinks. I wanted to talk with Elle.

"Can we get the Zucchini Fritters to split, and for a drink I would like to start with the Best Sunset in Oia." The waiter nods and directs to Elle who is scrunching her nose at me.