From the Ground Up H.S.

Chapter 3

The next day, Bella and I arrive at the daycare much earlier than the previous day. I want to make sure I don't miss Harry so I can give him his money back. I completely forgot about giving i to him last night when he came to pick up Charlie. I don't know who he thinks he is, leaving that much money behind as a tip... He doesn't even know me. Even if we were the best of friends, I still wouldn't take the money from him. It's doesn't feel right taking that much money from a stranger. 

As soon as I walk into the building and check Bella in, I'm in mission mode. I know he was just trying to be generous, but I don't need handouts from anyone. Everything I have I've worked hard for and I don't need a handsome stranger to waltz in and act like some kind of sugar daddy. That's just not me.

I sit behind the front desk, and since I'm familiar with everyone that works here, no one questions me. For the first time in a while, Bella was excited to get up early, which worked in my favor. That also meant that we could be up and out the door and to daycare, making it there well before Harry and Charlie could. The only bad thing is that she was so ecstatic to see Charlie. It's not that my daughter having a friend is bad, especially it being a sweet boy like Charlie. It's his father. Harry has been nothing but kind to me, that boyish charm has caught me off guard before, and as difficult as it may be, I need to avoid its clutches before I am screwed over yet again. So, here I sit, waiting for Charlie and Harry to walk in. I pick at my fingernails as I rehearse what I'll say to Harry when he walks in.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts when I hear the front door open, the bell chained above it to alerting the workers of someone entering. My annoyance bubbles at the sight of Harry, and I suddenly have the urge to rip the bell right off the door.

An excited Charlie runs in towards his cubby, and a calm and collected Harry follows him not too far behind. Charlie pulls his father's hand forward as fast and as hard as his little body can manage, but Harry doesn't even put up a fight. I find myself wearing a small smile at the sight of the boy's antics, especially this early in the morning. It's much different than his first day at the daycare, and it makes me immensely happy. 

While Harry signs Charlie in, Charlie spots me out of the corner of his eye. He snaps his head towards me with a grin and runs my way.

"Hi Bella's momma," he says in a cheery voice. I smile at him and wave. He continues, "Where's Bella?" he asks, the cutest lisp crossing his lips with his words. He puts his hands on my knees and leans forward, I take that as an invitation to pick him up and do so, setting him on my lap.

"She's over playing with the blocks. She was waiting for you so that you two could play house together," I say, pointing to my sweet little girl playing alone. She looks to be building some sort of castle with the large blocks, and I giggle to myself when she accidentally knocks them over at the sight of Charlie running towards her. They embrace in the cutest way, and then take each other by the hand and run to the play house area as fast as their stubby little legs can carry them. I find myself wishing that friendship could be that easy in the adult world.

"I think Charlie has his first best friend," a raspy voice says from behind me. Living proof that friendship in the adult world isn't easy has come over to me now, and I turn towards him with a saccharine smile. Harry has a slight smile tugging on his lips as well, although his is genuine and mine is dripping in sarcasm.

"I agree. What a cute pair they make," I say, pausing to grab the envelope I put his money in earlier out of my purse. "I actually have something for you."

I look up to see Harry with the cheesiest of smile on his face. "What is it? A yacht? Did you buy me a yacht Joey? I didn't even tell you it was my birthday, how did you know?" he rambles on in a way that reminds me of Buddy the Elf.

"Really? A yacht? First of all, you think I would buy you a yacht, or rather even afford one. Second of all, you really think that a yacht could fit in my purse? I mean, yeah my purse is relatively large, but have you lost your mind?" I fire back, teasing him at every angle I can think of.

"Only a little bit," he replies, shrugging off our conversation. "Now, what is it that you've brought for me, sweets?"

Ignoring the pet name, I grab the envelope out of my purse and hand it to him. He looks at me with cautious eyes and peeks inside, just opening the envelope far enough to see the green paper inside of it. He shakes his head and forcefully returns it back to my hands. 

"Are you not going to take it?" I question, hoping that he'll make this easy for me.

"Nope," he retorts flatly. Of course he won't make this easy for me. 

"Take your money," I demand fiercely.

"It's not my money, it's yours," he states matter-of-factly.

"No, it's not mine and I don't want it!" I growl, freely showing my aggravation as I push the envelope into his chest. He still doesn't grab it, much to my disappointment.

"I gave it to you, and it's in your possession. Therefore, it is now yours. Keep it. Do with it what you wish. Maybe you could save it for that yacht." he says in a goofy tone, that smile never leaving his lips. He only pushes my hand away gently, and I am about to lose it.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Harry! Take. The. Money. Now." I order, enunciating each word to show the annoyance he has single handedly build up inside of me. I don't know how he manages to get under my skin as much as he does, but he does it well.

He crosses his arms over his chest and paints a cocky grin on his face. "Fine, I'll take back the money," he says, and I breathe out a sigh of relief as I hand it to him the money back to him expectantly. "Ah ah ah," he went on, pushing my hand away with one finger. "There's a catch."

"There's always a catch with you, isn't there?" I spoke irritated, rolling my eyes. 

"Of course there is," he smiles smiling with that glint of mischief playing in his green eyes. "As I mentioned before, today is my birthday."

"I thought you were kidding about that," I say, now knowing exactly where this is going.

"No, it was a wonderful coincidence. I'll take that money, if you go on a special birthday dinner date with me," he says, and I scanned his face to see if he's joking, and see nothing but seriousness on his handsome features.

"Why would I do that? I don't even know you," I snap back quickly. "Why would you want to spend your birthday with a stranger? Wouldn't you rather spend it with your son?"

He sighs loudly, and rolls his eyes as if the answers to my questions are blatantly obvious. "That's exactly what a date is for, sweetheart. To get to know the other person," he says, accentuating the word 'know'. "Go on a date with me tonight, and then I'll take the money back."

I look at the time on the wall. If I leave now, I should be able to make it to work on time. That's early for me. "I have to go to work before I'm late. Again. However, you'll be getting this money back. Mark my words, Styles." I narrow my eyes at him, pointing the envelope before turning around sharply. I barely miss colliding with a women dropping off her son, and although I apologize she continues to glare at me and guides her son past me. 

I hear a chuckle behind me and the word, "Marked," in a familiar, low voice. I fight off the smirk threatening, and walk out to my car. I hear footsteps walking out behind me, but they get farther away from me as we go our separate ways in the parking lot.

"Have a wonderful day at work, Jo. I will see you later." Harry shouts to me from across the parking lot, smiling a huge smile, and waving wildly with one hand and stands on his tiptoes. That man is something else.

I smile back at him, and before I get into my car I hear him say, "I'll get you someday, Jo."

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-Willow K