My Favorite Mistake (1D / H.S./ Harry Styles)- REVISING

Chapter 29

Anne picks up her jaw from the floor of the break room over the update on my weekend.

"Are you kidding me?!" She responds.

"Which part?" I ask.

"Well, first off, what is wrong with Harry? I know you say he's really smart but he's got you in the perfect situation to make it official. I mean, for Christ's sake! There's got to be something there, whether he wants to admit it or not."

"I don't know. Maybe I've made myself too available. The thing is that we don't always need to be having sex. We talk about everything!"

"Except how you truly feel about him." She calls me out. She's good at that.

"I don't want to scare him off. I like him being around. He's like a security blanket."

"Whatever! Mr. Security Blanket can kick himself in the ass for not jumping on you...I mean, he did jump on you...I mean...ugh!...why can't your life just be normal?!"

"Because if I was normal, we wouldn't be friends! Admit it! My life is entertaining!" I give her a big Colgate smile.

"Let's make Harry stew in his own shit and get you something that stands out but isn't slutty. You don't just want to make an impression on Louis, you want to make a memory!" Anne proclaims! I swear there are times that woman is a walking Hallmark card.

"Anne, let's keep this date with Louis quiet, okay? So many people listen to the show, I just don't want to deal with rumors and stuff."

"Not a problem. I completely agree."

We head back to our desks and work through the morning listening to the show. It seems so surreal listening to someone you talk to on the radio. I find it really hard to connect the two. As much as I like listening to the one on the radio, I enjoy talking to the one in person better.

I should get something done! It's almost lunch time!

* * * *

"Try on this one...and this one...oh! And this one...and this one!" Anne keeps throwing skirts, tops, and dresses into my arms. I'm getting severely top heavy.

I head to the dressing room and try all of these things on. Half of them I won't even leave the room in and the other half I do and she's not giving her approval. I'm not feeling any of them either.

"You know, it's probably going to be a casual evening. I can wear jeans. We would just need to find a top or a sweater or something." I suggest.

"Good point. Here...and here...how about this one?...and maybe this one...and here." She's piling it all on again.

I head to the dressing room and it appears we have a winner. Just a plain top with a multi-color scarf and boots. Cute and functional. We both approve.

On our way back to work, Anne gets a call from her youngest son's daycare. Looks like he's got chicken pox.

"You'll be out for the rest of the week, I'm sure. Has your oldest one got it yet?"

"Nope! Not even I have ever gotten chicken pox yet."

"What?! Oh my God! Life is about to seriously start sucking for you." I state.

She drops me off at work and she heads out to pick up her sick kid.

* * * *

It's Saturday. This week has been crazy. I've been covering for Anne all week and I picked up her oldest from school until he caught the chicken pox and Anne came down with them about the same time. Poor thing!

Her fiancé, Bob, has been slammed at work so I am hitting the grocery store for her today. I stop by and grab her list and credit card.

I make my way to the store and clear out the list. I head up to pay and notice that Josh is off but Liam is working. I stand in his line.

"Hey, Sam! How are you?" He greets me when it's my turn.

"I'm great, thanks. How are you?"

"Good, thanks. Hey! Looks like a bunch of us are going out tonight. Would you care to join us?"

"I can't. I've got plans tonight. Sorry."

"We're going to a hockey game next weekend. Would you want to go to that?"

"Now, count me in for that one!" I smile at him.

"Great!" He smiles back. "Have a good day!"

I head out of the store and over to Anne's. She is covered from head to toe in spots. She looks so uncomfortable! I feel so bad.

"Thank you so much for all your help, Sam! Have fun tonight and call me tomorrow!" Anne says shooing me out the door.

I run home and Lisa is over within an hour. She's going to help me get ready. Well, keep me company while I get ready.

She talks about the drought in her love life but won't take the jerk off back. Thank God! And is finishing up another year of college. She's studying criminal justice and is working part time as a receptionist in a hair salon. I'm just glad she's not living across the country any more.

* * * *

I pull into the parking garage to the restaurant Louis picked. He was already seated. I take a seat across from him.

"Hey, Sam! Did you find the place okay?"

"I did. Thanks. I've never been here before. What's good?" I ask looking at the menu.

"Seriously?! You've never been to a Pizza Hut?"

"Nope."

"Is there anything you don't like on your pizza?"

"Anchovies. Although I haven't tried them."

He laughs and orders our pizza.

"So, tell me something." I start.

"What's that?"

"The stories you tell on the radio, are they true?"

"100% true. Barney...my divorce...crazy fans...my family...all true."

"Even your divorce? I'm so sorry. Are you doing okay?" I ask. I feel bad. He got hit with divorce papers completely out of the blue almost six months ago.

He pauses and just grins at me for a minute. Was there something caught in my teeth?

"You know, Sam, you are one of maybe four people who have, actually, asked if I'm okay since my divorce went public. I'm doing much better, thanks."

We begin to eat and a couple walk by the table. They stop and talk with Louis for a minute seeming to know a lot about him. They walk away.

"Friends of yours?" I ask.

"I have no idea who they are. Listeners, I assume."

"Does that happen often?"

"Not too often because I'm in radio. It would be out of control if I was in a boy band!"

We laugh and talk some more. Then, we walk about a block to where Michael is performing. We sit at the bar in the corner. It tends to be where all the line up hangs out before and after they go on. Michael is headlining again and really knocks tonight out of the park. The radio gig has definitely boosted his career. I'm glad. He's a nice guy.

I excuse myself to go to the restroom. I look at my phone and there's a text from Harry.

"How's your date going?" It was sent only ten minutes ago.

"Much better than yours if you are texting me already. :P "

He responds back right away, "Mine is probably still talking at the table and hasn't noticed my absence yet."

"That good, huh?"

"Last weekend was better."

I smile over his reply. Last weekend was amazing. Dammit, Harry!

"It was a good weekend. :) I should get back to my date and you should go and pretend to listen to yours." I reply.

"Please text me when you get home. Be safe."

"Yes, Dear. :P"

I shake my head and put my phone back into my pocket. I rejoin Louis as Michael finishes his performance.

After the show, all the comedians, Louis, and I hang out for a while. I listen as they exchange stories. It is nonstop laughs.

At about 1:00, Louis walks me to my car where he hugs me and thanks me for a great night. I thank him for the amazing evening and let him know how much fun I had. We hug again and I'm heading home.

I wonder if Louis will call again. I hope so.