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

Chapter 38

Harry had been scattered all day. He'd forgotten about an appointment, hadn't been home when the caterer had arrived, and missed a call with his agent. His thoughts continually drifted to the night before; to the fraught conversation he'd had with her, to the sex, to hating to leave her this morning.

God, the way she looked when I left. Her skin, still damp from the shower, was wet against his mouth as he kissed her neck and shoulder while attempting to loosen the oversized bath towel she'd wrapped around herself. "You have to go," she'd told him while still holding onto his belt loop. Standing on her tip-toes, she'd kissed him for several seconds. "I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight," she'd whispered in his ear before letting him go.

He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts and focus on what he needed to do before guests started arriving.

****

She turned to look in the full-length mirror again. The casual dress was a deep red, off-the-shoulders as with three-quarter sleeves. It was fitted through the waist before beginning to flare slightly several inches above her knees. The wedges were an almost nude color. She was glad she had chosen a nail polish of almost the same color when she and Kristen were at the spa. The simplicity of the dress was off-set by a long silver necklace, small silver hoops, and a wide fitted silver bracelet.

She grabbed up her purse and phone just as Kristen honked the horn. They'd decided she would drive so that if Harry asked Ashley to stay, she didn't have to be concerned about her car.

"You ready for tonight?" asked Kristen.

"I suppose."

"It'll be fun. Just relax."

"I'm not sure how I should act. I mean Harry and I didn't really discuss my role this evening. Am I just a guest like everyone else?"

"He'll let you know. Stop worrying. This is not the first celebrity shoulder-rubbing event you've attended. You know how these types are. Everyone is always on. It's all about being seen."

"Do you think Harry's like that?"

"I really couldn't say. I haven't spent the kind of time with him that you have over the last several days. You tell me."

"Well, it doesn't seem so, but you can't tell with those in this business. You're more than aware of this. I'm not the only one with history."

"True. I just think you are more permanently marked than I am."

"Can we stop talking about this? It's unnerving. How's Colin?"

"He's good. We're getting excited about my trip. He's such a great guy, Ashley. I hope that Harry is like his friends for your sake. Look I'm here for you tonight. Just tell me what I can do."

"Don't leave my side."

"You got it."

Kristen turned her attention to negotiating the cars parked along the drive and the street leading up to Harry's home. She parked where she could get out whenever she was ready.

"Alright. Let's go," she said to Ashley who seemed a little paler than before.

When they made it to the front door, Ashley knocked. She was surprised when Harry was the one to answer.

"Hi there," he said obviously happy to see her. "How are you?" he asked kissing her cheek and taking Kristen's hand.

"Okay. How are you?"

"Better now that you're here. Come on in."

He led them out to the deck were 40 or so people were gathered. Music was playing, conversations were in full swing, and the drinks were flowing.