Where Do Broken Hearts Go? | Unexpected Series Book One

Chapter 63: Love Actually and Chopped Wood

Beth's POV

I look up at Harry, my mouth slightly open, as I'm momentarily stunned.

Harry gazes down at me and his face is filled with hope and happiness as he waits for me to respond.

Hopefully I'm not about to shatter it.

"Harry...I..." I shake my head, trying to find the right words to explain what is in my head.

And my heart.

His smile drops, and with it, so does my stomach as he looks away and at the ground.

"Harry...love," I reach up and gently touch his cheek so he'll look at me, "I love you too, but to be honest with you, in a different way."

This time he doesn't pull away, but waits for me to continue.

"What I mean to say, is that I love you and care very much for you," I say, "I care very deeply for you and you make me so happy it's beyond words," I smile at him, "but I'm not in love with you..."

I start to bite my lip out of worry that I'm hurting him, but I want to be truthful.

"For me, that's a much deeper love Harry, and I'm not saying it's not possible, but I'm not there yet," I let my hand fall down to my side, "I hope you understand and if you're angry with me..."

"Angry? With you?" he interrupts, "how can I be angry with you for telling me honestly how you feel?"

"I'd understand if you were," I reply.

"No baby girl," he whispers as he pulls me in for a smothering hug, "I know how much of a huge step this is for you," he kisses my forehead, a loud smacking noise when he finishes the kiss, "and the fact that there's some type of love there is good enough for me."

Wow.

"Really?" I look up at him in surprise.

"Yeah, really," he nods his head, "besides..." he pulls away and rests his arm across my shoulder as we look out to where the kids are running around with sparklers in the dark, "I look at it this way. I'm thinking you're about fifty percent in love with me right?" he asks.

I bite my lip to stop from smiling as I can tell he's got some sort of idea forming in his head.

"Well it just means I'm going to have to work extra hard to make it one hundred percent," he looks down at me from the corner of his eye and winks.

I can't help it and I begin to laugh.

"You're hilarious Styles," I move in front of him and stand on my toes, wrapping my arms around his neck, "and I love you for it," I peck him on the lips.

I hear him take a quick inhale of breath and he leans closer.

"Can you say it again?" he whispers.

"I love you Harry," I reply, watching him smile.

"Again?" he asks, his lips just touching mine.

"I love you Harry," I say swallowing.

Why am I suddenly so nervous?

I swear his smile is so bright we don't need any lights out here in the yard.

He closes the minute gap and kisses me, leaving me slightly breathless when he pulls away.

Okay, maybe a lot.

I turn around so my back is against his chest and his arms are still wrapped around me and I watch contentedly as the kids all running around together and suddenly have a feeling of melancholy washes over me.