MORE (Completed)

Chapter 10

Rewinding the events of last night, I lie in my hotel bed feeling a familiar sting of embarrassment—not just for being unguarded and unprofessional, but for being naïve. I'd never been approached by someone so young... or so impossibly beautiful. I wasn't used to being seen that way, not anymore. I'd stopped thinking of myself as desirable. But last night? I wanted Harry to want me. And worse—I enjoyed it. That alone was terrifying.

Since Jason, my life had revolved around Anzie and work. There was no time, no space, for anything else. Somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that truly enjoying someone's attention—really letting it in—meant I was betraying J. Like I'd forgotten him. Rationally, I knew that was nonsense—textbook grief logic. But emotionally? A whole other story.

Anzette needed me to be both parents. That left very little room for "me" in the equation. But now... she was growing up. Becoming her own person. So where did that leave me?

Is it time to move on?

No. At least—not like this. Not with someone so young. So... unpredictable.

Yes, Harry is mature in some ways. Thoughtful. He's got an old soul underneath all that charm. But he's still in his twenties. And—let's be honest—named one of the sexiest people alive. Not wrongly. God only knows how many women he's been with—or how many are waiting in line. I could never be that casual, never just "have fun" without strings. That's not who I am. And I'm certainly not someone to be played with.

I rub my temples. All this thinking is giving me a headache.

No. I can't start something now—especially not with him. I need Sher's voice in my head, telling me what I already know: this is too complicated, too soon, and too risky.

"Are you awake?" Liz murmurs, eyes still closed as she shifts under the covers.

"Yeap."

"We missed breakfast," she sighs.

I grab my phone and squint at the time. "Yeap," I echo, rubbing my temples. My head is pounding.

"You need to go get some decent coffee, Ash," she mumbles, sinking deeper into her pillow.

"Why me?" I mutter.

She cracks one eye open, giving me a look like I've asked whether the sky is blue.

"Because you absolutely owe me," she snaps, her voice scratchy with sleep but packed with drama. "You ruined my chances with Ni because you couldn't just—ugh—sleep with the sexiest man alive who was basically served to you on a silver platter."

"Liz, come on... you say that every time we meet someone. You said the same exact thing when we met Leo. And did I really ruin your chances? I saw you snogging him right before I dragged you out."

"Exactly!" she whines. "Who knows where I would've woken up today, Ash. But instead? Here I am. In bed. With you."

"Sorry for spoiling your magical evening," I grumble, rummaging through my bag for Nurofen.

"Mocha latte—no sugar, organic, decaf, soy milk, not regular. And hurry please," she rattles off, her voice muffled by the pillow.

I groan. "That's not coffee. That's a wedding dress fitting. I need to write this down."

"Say yes to the dress!" she chirps. "Love you, Ash. But let's be real—I'd love you way more if I'd woken up with Niall between my thighs this morning."

"That's... not actually a latte, but whatever," I mutter, mostly to myself trying to forget what my poor ears just heard.

She turns just enough to give me a wicked smile.