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

Chapter 73

I play out my escape plan in my head...the excuse I will use and everything. I take a deep breath and walk into the house.

"Liam?" I holler out to locate him.

"Up here!" He answers me from upstairs.

I climb the stairs to find him in the playroom with the kids buried under a blanket fort watching Harry Potter with the kids.

"Hi, Mommy!" Kevin greets me.

"Look what we made!" Diana pipes up.

"Wow!" I say as I crawl in and Diana gives me a tour of their new digs. Kevin shushes her as she begins to get too loud to hear the movie.

Liam winks at me and smiles. Those butterflies in my stomach begin to flutter. After all these years, that man still does that to me. A hint of guilt begins to rear its ugly head and I push it back down. I am doing nothing wrong. I am meeting up with an old friend...that's all. I replay out what I need to say in my head and now I need to deliver it.

"I was talking with Kelly while I was out and her boyfriend has ordered a fairly expensive part for a car he's working on. I guess Mom and Dad are putting money down on it as his present. I was going to head back out and do that too." I inform him...calm, cool, and collected. I feel good about how that came out.

I'm not lying. I really am going to do it. The auto parts store is literally just down the street, that's the tricky part. I need to get halfway across town and buy some time to see Harry.

"Okay. Sounds perfect! Would you mind picking up some popcorn on the way home? This movie fort is missing some popcorn." He flashes that jovial smile of his. It's a smile that shaves off every adult year off his face and returns him to looking like a young boy opening presents at Christmas. It's a genuine, sweet smile that you can't help but attempt to return.

"I can do that." I answer and smile back.

"Hurry back!" He half whispers as he leans in and presses his lips briefly against mine.

I begin to scoot out of the fort and say over my shoulder, "The closest parts store is about a thirty minute drive. I may be a while. How about I pick up pizza with that popcorn?"

"PIZZA?!" Kevin hollers out from the fort in excitement and gets shushed by Diana and Liam.

I giggle as I head downstairs and say, "I'll take that as a yes."

I take out my phone and text Harry, "I've got a small window. I'll be there in 15 mins."

Harry's POV

My phone vibrates in my pocket and my heart begins to beat out of my chest. It has to be Sam. I wonder if she was able to pull it off.

I head back to the guest room to grab my wallet and check my phone really quick. I have to make a run to the grocery store whether I was meeting Sam or not. I was just trying to time it perfectly.

Holy shit! She's on her way. This is really fucking happening! I can feel myself smiling at my phone. I really need to get a grip. I'm not a stupid teenager any longer.

"I'm going to head out to the store to get snacks for the drive home tomorrow." I announce.

"Okay. Could you pick up some more water too, please?" Katherine asks glancing up from visiting with her friends while our kids all play together. Then she adds, "Maybe some sanity and patients too...it's a loooooong drive home."

I chuckle and look up to find her smiling at me. I sigh quietly to myself. If only I could be forthcoming with where I'm going and who I'm seeing. Katherine would never approve and it would probably start a massive fight that I'm not willing to have over meeting up with an old friend.

I smile back at her, turn on my heels, and head out the door.

I text Sam, "I'm on my way."

I immediately get a response, "See you soon. :)"

And, there I go grinning like an idiot again as I pull out of the driveway and make my way to the store.

I begin to realize how impatient I am as I drum my fingers on the steering wheel at every red light, which seems to be every single one I hit. I'm anxious. What if I've changed for the worst in her eyes? What is she going to be like? Oh god! Is this going to be awkward? How should I greet her? Dammit!

Just as I'm beginning to talk myself out of it, I pull into the parking lot and into a space. I sit there surveying my surroundings. I don't think she's here. Maybe I should just turn around and go somewhere else...tell her I'm not alone...call this whole thing off.

A dark colored sports car pulls in and all I can see is long dark red hair. The car pulls into a spot close to mine. The driver looks up, smiles, and waves. Fuck! It's Sam! Those pictures online haven't done this woman justice. Wow! She hasn't changed a bit! My heart races and my palms begin to sweat...you would think I was going to ask this woman for her hand in marriage!

She steps out of her car and I open my door. My nerves begin to take complete control over me. How am I going to do this? A simple "hello"? A hug? She's just ten steps away from me. Think, Harry!...Dammit! THINK!

A/N- I'll be updating in a later this week. We're in the final few chapters. I'm going to miss writing this one. :( Please vote, comment and/or share. And, as always, I can't thank you enough for reading! :)