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

Chapter 68

Ashley allowed the warm water spray to run down her back. She'd put up her hair to avoid getting it wet because they were so short on time. Getting dressed wouldn't take long since they were going to have dinner in their hotel room, and she only need slip on jeans and a sweater. She and Harry had decided a night in where they and their friends wouldn't be disturbed was preferable to another run-in with cameras.

She was dry and wrapped in a towel when Harry knocked at the bathroom door.

"Come in."

"Here's your tea. Can I get in the shower?"

"Give me a couple of minutes to gather up what I need and you can have the bathroom."

"Afraid to stay in here with me?" he asked smiling.

"Not at all. The steam will wreck my makeup."

"Whatever you say," he laughed.

When he stepped out of the basketball shorts he'd been wearing, she couldn't help but admire his muscular body.

"Told you," he said.

She quickly turned away and gathered what she needed before closing the bathroom door behind her. Was he laughing? When he least expected it, there would definitely be payback, she thought.

****

Ashley rushed to the door and opened it to see the smiling face of her very best friend.

"Kristen!" she squealed hugging her tightly. "It's been forever. I'm so glad to see you."

"Hi! I missed you too."

"Oh my goodness. Come in. Hi Colin," she said giving him a hug as he came in behind Kristen.

"Colin, it's really good to see you," said Harry hugging his good friend.

"Really good."

"Kristen, how are you?" he asked putting his arm around her shoulders.

"Better now that I'm here with this one," said Kristen pointing to Ashley. "My god, it is so good to see you. I've been really worried about you."

"I'm doing much better now," said Ashley.

"We'll see about that."

"What do you mean?" asked Ashley.

"I think she's been really worried about the two of you," said Colin pointing first to Harry and then to Ashley. "We both have."

"I think we've been able to work through some things that were problematic," said Harry. "Let's sit down. What can I get for you guys to drink?"

Harry went to the kitchen to pour glasses of wine and pop the caps on a couple of bottles of beer before returning to the living room.

He stood in the doorway for a moment watching the easy way Colin and Kristen had with one another. She was laughing about something he'd said, his arm was up on the back of the sofa, her hand was on his leg. Harry wanted things to be that easy and natural between he and Ashley. There was something so relaxed about Kristen and Colin. He could feel it permeate the room.

"I'll see if Harry needs help," said Ashley.

"No, I've got it," he said walking into the living room. "Here you are," he said setting down the bottles of beer and handing Ashley and Kristen their glasses of wine. "So what have you two been up to?"

"I've been showing Kristen around quite a bit, trying to put our city in a good light. Who knows, at some point she might want to think about spending some time here," he said with a smile.

"No way! Too cold!" said Kristen smiling back at him.

"What do you have planned for the next couple of days?" asked Ashley.

"We thought we'd ask you guys the same question. Do you have any free time?" asked Kristen hopefully.

Ashley looked over at Harry and shrugged. "The schedule is a little more flexible after tomorrow night. I'm taking Ashley out to celebrate our 1-month anniversary," said Harry.

"Oh my god! We are doing the same thing!" said Kristen excitedly.

"Where are you taking her Harry?" asked Colin.

"It's a surprise. How about you?" asked Harry.

"Same. I'm keeping it under wraps," he laughed.

"So, what about the following day?" asked Kristen.

"Harry and I haven't nailed down plans. Tomorrow night is my last night at the hotel. I was originally supposed to leave for France but plans have changed a bit."

"France?" asked Colin.

"Ashley's family has vineyards and a winery there," said Kristen.

"Very nice," said Colin.

"Could I call you tomorrow and set something up, Colin?" asked Harry.

"Sure thing."

"We should look at the menu and decide on dinner," said Ashley.

****

Ashley was laughing as she shut the door behind Kristen and Colin. "I had such a great time," she said to Harry.

"It was good to see them."

"They seem really into one another."

"Are you into me?" asked Harry with a smile.

"Very!"

"Good," he said putting his arms around her. "What would you like to do now?"

"Early bed time?"

"After your breathing treatment."

"But I'm not coughing."

"Your voice is raspy, sweetheart. Medicine first."

"Tyrant.

"We'll see about that in 25 minutes," he said in his most menacing voice.

"Promises, promises."

"Get busy," he said swatting her on the rear.