FIRE | H.S.

Chapter 29

Since Harry and Leilani left to London, I've been working nonstop at both spas. Even though it's been a few weeks since summer break started, work has not slowed down much.

Evan comes in to bring me lunch most days and we go eat in my office. Though we only get to spend about 10 minutes eating before I must rush to my next appointment. Sadly, we can't even spend much time together after I close because he's taking summer classes in the evenings to get his masters. I try my best to enjoy the little time we spend together, and I know he does the same.

Harry and Leilani have stayed true to their promise and send me many pictures throughout the day. They also make sure to facetime me every morning. Well, their morning, my nighttime. We stay talking for about an hour as they tell me their plans for the day, and I tell them how my day went. Leilani has even made me talk to her grandma, which was a little embarrassing for me, but she was so sweet and I quickly warmed up to her.

Aurora, Charles, and I end up going to my house most evenings after work for a glass of wine, charcuterie, and a couple of movies to destress from the chaos of work.

Despite ending my days exhausted and the very small time I spend with my best friends and boyfriend, I welcome all the work we've had. Obviously because of the money, but also because it distracts me from my meeting with my father.

It's been a week since that day, and I hate that it's there in the back of my mind all the time. I try my hardest not to think of it, I haven't even told my friends.

Maybe if I ignore it, it'll go away forever.

Come on, Ava! When has that ever worked?

I'm pulled from my thoughts when my phone rings on my nightstand. My heart starts doing cartwheels but then stops once I see the picture on the screen.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hey, babe." Evan's tired voice receives me on the other end. "How are you?"

"Good. Tired. You?"

"Same. I just got home, I had to stay at the library for some hours cause I knew if I went home straight away I would have fallen asleep. I'm running on the last bit of Red Bull power."

"Oh my god, babe, you should've called me. I could've gone to pick you up. You shouldn't be driving like that."

"Nah, I'm good." I can hear ruffling on the other end. "I was actually calling because I want to take you out on a date tomorrow evening."

My brows shoot up. It's been a while since we had a date. Especially with our schedules lately. "I would love to, but what about your class?"

"Oh, I got an email from the professor that it's cancelled, so I thought it would be a great idea to take my girl out."

I smile. "Well, then, I'm so down. Where are you taking me?"

"I have no idea," he chuckles. "How about I let you decide on that? Let me know tomorrow and I'll pick you up at 7:00 p.m., alright? I'm gonna take a shower, babe, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Love you!"

"Love you, t­—" he hangs up before I finish.

Soon after Evan hangs up, Harry calls me and my heart resumes its gymnastics competition. We talk for about an hour and a half. Leilani tells me she's been learning how to make apple crumble from her grandmother and that when they come back, she'll make it for me.

I tell her that I can't wait to try it and that she can teach me how to make it too.

She tells me she has to go tell her grandma something and leaves Harry and I on the phone with each other.

I feel a bit nervous, and I don't understand why. I talk to him every night. Granted, Leilani is there the whole time and it's never just me and Harry.

"So," he says.

"So."

He chuckles and I can see him shaking his head, looking down, dimples on full on display. "Erm... what have you been up to?"

I laugh because it's one of the first things I told him when we started the call. "Well, as I said, I've been working a lot."

"Oh, right, you did say that," he laughs. "Sorry."

"It's alright. How is it that you sound more British than usual?"

"I guess it's the London air. And all the English breakfast I've been eating this whole week."

"God, you'll come back with a teacup in one hand and a scone in the other, huh?"

"Make that a tea sandwich instead of a scone," he says, exaggerating the poshness of his accent.

"Got it," I laugh.

"So, any big plans tomorrow?"

"Hmm, a full day of appointments, and uh, Evan and I are going on a date."

There is a pause on his end, it's so miniscule that I think I may have imagined those extra seconds. "Oh, that's good." The cheerfulness in his voice is gone. "Where is he taking you?"

I sigh. "I'm not sure. He asked me to choose."

"Hm."

"Yeah."

"Well, erm, I hope you have a great time. You've been working a lot lately and you deserve a night out."

"Thanks. Um, when are you guys coming back?"

I hear him take a deep breath and I can picture him running his fingers through his curls, then pinching his bottom lip between his thumb and forefinger. "In about a week and a half, I think. Why, missing us already?" and his tone goes back to cheeky.

"Eh, just a tiny bit," I joke.

"I mi­— we miss you, too."

A few seconds go by without either of us saying anything. We just stay on the line, listening to each other's quiet breathing and feeling each other's presence. "Well, uh, I'll let you go. I'm sure you guys have a big day ahead. I don't want to make you late."

"Oh, sure. God, it's late over there. I should let you sleep. Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you up."

"No, it's okay, I­— I like talking to you." Jesus, why did I say that?

"I like talking to you, too." I can hear the smile in his voice and my heart is now doing nonstop turns on the asymmetric bars, jumping from one to another like it's about to win a gold medal.

"Bye, Harry."

"Sweet dreams, Ava."

~~~