If It's What You Want A Harry Styles Fanfiction || h. s.

Chapter 18

With nothing left to do for the moment, she called the nurse's station to check on her uncle before settling down to go through her email. When Harry arrived, she was busily corresponding with one of the representatives of a seafood supplier in Seattle about the final details of their new contract. Ashley finally hung up the phone and ran her hands through the long strands of hair before deciding to put it up into a pony. When she reached up her sleeve, she realized she had no elastic. Harry slipped one from his wrist and expertly pulled her hair through it three times until it was secured.

"Thank you," she said looking up at him from her chair.

"Always happy to be of service. Are you hungry?"

"I think. I'm sort of a bundle of nerves right now, so we'll see."

"Well if anything can tempt your appetite, it will be these tacos," he said smiling. "Here's your tea. Drink up."

"Where did you learn to be such a caregiver?"

"My mum. She led by example. First to prepare a meal for anyone in need, first to give, first to volunteer. She's amazing."

"Sounds like it," said Ashley wishing she knew what that felt like.

Ashley unwrapped one side of a taco and took a small bite.

"Wait, you have to put the sauce on it first. Which would you like?"

"What do you recommend?"

"The chipotle is my favorite, but they are all good."

"Chipotle," she said extending her taco toward him.

"Now taste it," he said after drizzling the sauce the length of the taco.

"Delicious!"

"Be a good girl and eat all of that then I have a surprise for you," he said.

"It's a donut," she said laughing.

"How did you know?"

"I smell them."

"Darn," he said snapping his fingers.

****

Ashley was surprised to have finished not one but two tacos. She felt better than she had in the last couple of days.

"This was exactly what I needed. I'm afraid I've been out of sorts since before my birthday."

"Does this mean you'll be nicer to me now?"

"Definitely," she said nodding her head yes.

"Does this mean you'll go out with me when you get back from Seattle?"

Ashley sat completely still thinking about what this could mean. "Could we talk about that when I get back?"

"Sure. I will hold you to that conversation."

"Deal."

****

At three o'clock, the nurse called for Ashley. She found her uncle slightly reclined and sipping from a cup of juice.

"Hello there," he said with more energy than earlier in the day.

"Hi yourself. You look great."

"Ha. What have you been doing with yourself?"

"Harry's been visiting. He brought lunch. Other than that, I've had a couple of phone calls from Seattle. I think we've got everything nailed down."

"Good girl. Is Harry still here?"

"Yes, he's in the waiting room."

"Ask him to come in for a visit if the nurses will approve it."

"Uncle Raymond, it's Harry Styles. Do you think they'll say no?"

"Probably not," he said with a smile.

****

Ashley had barely gotten back to her uncle's room when she received another call from Seattle. She excused herself and walked back out to the stares of a couple of more than envious young nurses. She turned her back to the nurse's station and talked with a representative with the company from whom they exclusively purchased their various pasta flours.

"That will not work for us," she said more loudly than she intended. For fifteen minutes this guy had been trying to tell her that some weevil infestation had prompted a massive throw out and depletion in the supply was causing prices to rise. "We have been customers and close acquaintances with the owner of your company for 20 years," she said forcefully. "Absolutely not! If you cannot honor our long-term relationship, we'll go elsewhere. Please understand, I will be alerting members of our restaurant association to this development. I wouldn't be surprised if you begin to receive order cancellations," she said calmly. "Certainly, I'll be happy to take a call from him. Have a good day."

Harry was not far away signing an autograph for Ashley's uncle's day nurse when she turned to go back to her uncle's room. He joined her as she passed the nurse's desk and whispered, "I really need you on my team. You are quite the ballbuster."

"This guy is trying to jerk me around because he's not worked with me before. He thinks just because it's not my uncle or our restaurant manager, he can raise profits by increasing our wholesale costs."

"Whatever the case, I do not want to be in negotiations with you," he said."

"Thank you . . . I think."

"That was definitely a compliment."

"How is he?" she asked.

"Great. I think our conversation tired him out though. He said he was ready for a rest."

"Let me just see him for a couple of minutes and I'll be right out."

"Alright," he said giving one of her hands a squeeze.