ink. (haylor)

xvi. dinner with the family

a/n:

hey babes

i had the most hectic week at school last week - i literally could not. there were three tests and a project due within the space of three days, so i was really busy trying not to fail :)

but i wanted to update bc it's been a week, so hopefully there'll be another update soon (maybe tomorrow? idk) 

i really really really really like you

-kay 

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[Taylor's POV]

Karlie came to the door covered in what looked to be ketchup, looking like she'd just been hit by a tornado.

"Josh can you please find her?" she called into the apartment behind her and I knew it was their three-year-old daughter, Kayla, who was undoubtedly giving them an eventful evening.

"Maybe this is a bad time, Karls. Should I come back later?" I asked, suddenly feeling awkward to have interrupted their evening as a family with my Harry-problems.

"Nonsense," she smiled and pulled me by the arm and I was suddenly in her apartment.

As if just noticing my choice of clothing, she said, "What's up with the dress?"

I looked down, surveying my outfit once again – a grey dress that fanned out to my knees and was backless – and looked back up, shrugging.

"Dinner with my parents tonight."

"And is Harry going to be there?"

"Yes. Which brings me to my problem," I said huffing but found myself smiling at the sight of Josh coming around the corner with a pyjama-clad Kayla on his hip.

"Auntie Taylor!" she exclaimed as her green eyes lit up and she practically flew off her dad and into my arms.

Her eyes were so full of life and happiness as she stared straight into mine – I could see all the parts of Karlie and Josh that had combined so flawlessly to create her. There are very few things as lovely as a little girl. After the usual conversation one had with a four-year-old, and promising to come and visit again, Kayla allowed herself to be taken to bed.

"So Harry..." Karlie began as we settled into our usual seats overlooking the city night and all the flashing lights of New York.

I breathed in and then out, somewhat bracing myself to admit what I hadn't said out loud to anyone yet.

"I think I love him."

All she did was nod in a knowing way, as if she'd known this all along – it annoyed me how well she could read me.

"I know."

"How?"

"Because I know you, Taylor. And no one has ever had this much of an effect on you. You've been trying to convince yourself – and everyone else – that you don't need him, but I know, I've always known."

I let out a groan. If she could tell I had such strong feelings for Harry, did that mean anyone could? Did everyone know all my secrets before I knew them? A low tide of panic washed over me.

"What do I do, Karlie? I mean what if he doesn't feel the same or he's just not that into me – or he doesn't feel like this is real or—"

"Shut up and listen. You should tell him – he seems like a great guy, you know, besides the asshole-y qualities you get when you first meet him. Just trust him. Josh and I we were a mess when we were still dating – took us like a year to realise we were both in love," she explained and glanced down at her watch, "Maybe you should get going?"