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

Chapter 49

I realized this chapter is a bit long; however, we are quickly approaching another revelation about WHO Ashley is.

Harry had gotten luggage down from the upper shelves of Ashley's closet before he left. She had intended to immediately get busy packing, but she was too tired. Instead, she moved the luggage out of the way, stripped down to her underwear, and crawled between the sheets in hopes of getting some rest. She had not realized how deeply she slept until she came awake from the awful dream. Tell him before someone else does, said her inner voice in a warning tone. He will never trust you again if you aren't completely truthful. He deserves to know.

Ashley's hand went to her heart as she sat up in bed and sucked in a deep breath. Nothing should have come from that initial meeting between she and Harry, but here they were in an intimate relationship almost 4 weeks later.

She had not even told Derek in the four months they'd been together.

Why this subconscious insistent warning to tell him something she'd managed to keep from even her closest friends and lovers.

Ashley pushed back the covers and walked to the kitchen with her phone. She turned on the kettle before leaning against the counter and looking through her notifications. Most were reminders related to her trip. There was a text from one of her advisors letting her know that her mother had agreed to remain in rehab beyond the evaluation period. She responded reminding him that she would be out of the country for a couple of weeks.

Her phone rang almost causing her to drop it. "Hello," she said breathlessly.

"Hey, honey. What's up?" asked Steve.

"Nothing."

"You sound winded. Did I interrupt something?"

"Steve!"

"I'm just teasing, but seriously, did I interrupt something?"

"No! He's not even here."

"Good."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked before a spell of coughing took over.

"Honey, are you sure you're going to be able to make this trip?"

"I've got it. I just saw the doctor, I've got plenty of medicine, and I'll be fine," she said tersely.

"Hey, hey. This is Steve."

"I'm really sorry. I'm just nervous and unsettled."

"Is it Harry?"

"A little."

"Anything I can help with? If he needs shaping up, I will kick his ass."

"Ha, ha. The man who can't bring himself to kill a spider is going to kick my boy . . ."

"I knew it!" screamed Steve.

"No you didn't," said Ashley.

"Yes I did. You said it yourself. I knew you two were going to give it a go. I'm happy for you honey. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it."

"I'm not good for him, Steve. You know me. Everybody knows me. I wish I had more confidence in myself to do the right thing."

"You will. Ashley, you are an amazing person. He seems like a nice guy. Give it a go. You might be surprised."

"I'm going to spend an extra week in London with him. I don't think I've told you. I'm sorry. I feel like I've been sick forever."

"Look, enjoy yourself. You . . ."