Find A Way

Chapter 7

I was on the train on my way to see Harry. It was just for lunch, but I was still excited; I felt like I haven’t seen him in years. This was the ninth lunch date we’ve had within four weeks; and even with having so many, I still get all giddy with the thought of seeing him again. He insisted that he pick me up, but I refused; saying that it wouldn’t make sense to drive all the way to me, only to drive all the way back to the cafe. The opening of the train doors next to me brought me back to life and as I was engulfed by the bitter cold, I suddenly wished I had taken him up on his offer.

I hurried through the door of the cafe I had been acquainted with many times over the weeks. As soon as Harry’s eyes landed on mine from across the room, he stood. His hair looked thick and tufted; like he had just woken up, and he wore a plaid shirt over a crisp white tee. He looked stunning from what I could see past the aisles of booths and keeping his gaze was taking my breath away.

“I almost thought I was being stood up.” he smiled as I approached.

“Sorry I’m so late! the train just stopped for nearly 20 minutes.” I sat down across him, beginning to relieve myself of my coat.

“You don’t have to apologize for that.” he laughed, handing me a menu.

“You didn’t order anything yet?” I stared at him as he scanned the menu; knowing that he was probably going to get the same thing he got the multiple other times.

“Why would I? I was waiting for you.” He said as it were the obvious answer.

He had a crease in between his brows as he stared at the same page, still trying to make a choice on what to order. He was lost in the long list of dishes before I slid my legs to meet his underneath the table, earning a dimpled smile for my actions.

“Stop.” he bit on the inside of his cheek to hide his smile.

“Why?” I was being rooted on by my playful side today.

“You’re distracting me” he gave me a stern look that only caused me to burst out laughing and him to join in. I began to lightly run my foot up and down his calf, earning a small laugh from Harry. I smiled to myself and pulled my foot away from him before I took it too far.

“You seem to be having a good day.” Harry noted after clearing his throat.

“I am! After lunch I’m free for the rest of the day.” I looked at him and smiled at the ecstatic look on his face.

“Well I’m afraid you aren’t.” He stated matter of factly

“What?” I questioned

“Yep, just as I thought. Your schedule is full the rest of the day” he put his menu down.

“What are you talking about?” I giggled

“I’m sorry to say that you’re booked; the rest of your day is going to be occupied by a Mr. Styles.” I could almost see him formulating all the things we could do in that crazy head of his.

The thought of spending the rest of my day was the best thing I could’ve wished for, but I began thinking of Connor and father.

“I don’t know, Harry.” I played with the ends of my hair.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” he whined like a child

“Connor will be worried and calling me every three minutes, and don’t even get me started on my father.” I noticed the falter in his perfect grin at the mention of Connor.

“Don’t think right now, just stay with me. Please.” he pleaded as he traced circles on my palm. “Pretty please!” he quickly added.

“I guess” I smiled back at him. I would have to tell Connor eventually, but right now I didn’t have to worry about that.

“Great!” he said. “Lets order.”

We made our way into Harry’s gallery, laughing as we searched for the light switch. He had closed the place for the day, and we decided to come back here for a while. “Found it!” Harry cheered before turning on the lights. I looked around the empty gallery and noticed that his stuff was taken down from the walls.

“Where are all your photographs?” I looked up at him and he seemed to be on edge.

“I… took them down. I-I’m thinking about starting a whole new project.” he stammered. He walked to the end of the room, picking up a camera left on the table.

“Why?” I pressed my hands against his back. “All those photographs were so beautiful.”

He turned around, still holding the camera. “Found something better” he shrugged.

I don’t know how we ended up on the floor, but there we laid with a 6 pack of Bud Light, laughing and sharing stories.

“And I ended up in some hotel room” he squeezed his eyes together and held on to his stomach as he threw his head back in laughter.

“And that was your best birthday party?” I raised a brow

“Yeah! Sure, I woke up with a pounding headache; barely remembering what happened the night before, but it was still a lot of fun.” he sighed. I straightened out my legs and laid my head on the hardwood floor. “What about you?” he turned on his side, holding his head up with an arm.

“What about me?”

“What’s your favorite birthday? What did you do?” he moved closer to me, his chest barely touching my arm with every intake of breath.

I thought about it for a while, going over the few times I’ve actually celebrated my birthday. “I don’t really remember.” I shrugged.

“What do you mean you don’t remember?” he took another swig from his beer.

“I mean, I don’t remember; I haven’t really celebrated my birthday since I was like 5.” I started laughing, but when I turned to see Harry’s expression it quickly halted.

“What?” I wanted so badly to kiss away the frown on his face, but almost immediately pushed those thoughts away.

“You haven’t had a proper birthday since you were...five?” he put his bottle down, giving me his full attention.

“No. Well, I’ve gotten a few cards here and there; and I always get something from my father or Connor.” I reassured him.

“That’s not enough. You deserve everything.” he said the last part in almost a whisper, like he was saying it to himself.

“It’s fine, really. I don’t see my birthday being all that important.” Instead of responding, he pulled me into his warm chest. If we were just friends, this would just be a friendly hug; but it was more than that. The simplest touch from him felt like so much more.

When his embrace loosened I decided to check the time. “Shit.” I saw in big red font that I had ten missed calls from Connor, and one incoming call at the moment. I quickly sat up, answering the my phone.

“Elizabeth! Thank God!” he exclaimed through the receiver.

“Hey, yeah sorry; my phone was on silent.” this is when Harry stood up, leaving me in the room.

“I have been calling you forever! I even tried at work! Where have you been?!” I felt like a child being punished for breaking mother’s vase.

“I’m not a child, Connor. I’ll be home shortly.” I couldn’t contain my annoyance. Especially from him ruining the moment Harry and I were having moments ago. Where is Harry?

“Okay.” he sighed, his pride clearly temporarily wounded. “Call me when you get home. And Elizabeth?”

“Yeah?” I wanted to get off the phone with him already.

“I love you.” I stared at the phone for a bit, making sure I was talking to the same man.

“I-I love you, too...” I said quietly before hanging up.

When I finally stood up Harry was walking back, bundled up with keys in hand.“Ready?” he didn’t even look me in the eyes.

“Yeah” I slipped on my heels and followed him out to his car.