Written

Chapter 45

HAYLEY

I spend the entire show in Paul's office, going through paperwork that I barely understand. Sharon coms in halfway through and sweetly offers Paul her help. When his back is turned, she gives me a look of distain. I just smile sweetly back. I have bigger problems than this bitch, and her bark has proven to be far worse than her bite.

I occupy my mind by thinking of Harry. Of course. Technically we had our first fight, and it ended pretty well. About as well as fighting with a famous person about something beyond their control could end. I sigh. I thought we were beyond secrets and deception, but I am learning that those are two main components in Harry's life. Not by his choice, but still. They're there.

Back at the hotel, I am desperate to ask Harry how his management meeting went. But we remain surrounded by people most of the night. Even when we all quiet down, Zayn and Louis sit in the room with us and there is no time for privacy. I suspect Harry and Louis are doing that silent communication thing that they do, because Louis pulls Zayn up and they exit, leaving us alone.

Harry slides closer to me on the couch and rests his head on my shoulder. I lean into him, relaxed and comfortable. For a moment I consider not even bringing anything up. This peaceful calm between us is such a turn from the way we were this morning and I would much prefer this to that. But I can't let it go.

"How was your meeting?" I ask. I make an effort to sound vaguely uninterested.

"Fine," Harry answers.

"Fine?" My eyebrows raise.

"Yeah. Fine."

"Well, what did they say?" I press.

"About what?" Is he trying to irritate me?

"About us, Harry. What did they say, and what did you say?"

"Oh. Yeah, nothing. I just told them that we weren't a thing anymore and they think we are just friends, so...case closed, I guess." He sounds too blasé about the whole thing, but I don't press any further. I lean farther into him and let him carry me to the bed when I fall half-asleep. In my drowsy state, I say nothing as Harry kisses my forehead and exits the room. Why wouldn't he stay? Before I can wonder too much, I fall into deeper sleep.

HARRY

Shit. Do you know when you've fucked something up really badly, and you know you fucked up, and you know that you're going to pay for it sooner or later? That's how I feel right now. Why didn't I tell Hayley that I had to pick up my P.R. relationship with Maria Seltzer? That's an important detail that I so conveniently left out. I should go back to her room right now, wake her up and tell her. But then she might think I was purposefully keeping it from her. Which I was. Kind of. Fuck, what do I do? I really should tell her. I'll tell her in the morning.

I fall asleep with every intention of telling Hayley in the morning, and every cell in my body knowing that I won't actually do it.

...

The next day, Hayley and I get ready together. I almost drag her to the bed when she gets out of the shower; the way the towel hangs on her body should not be as appealing as it is. We stand side by side at her hotel sink, and a certain feeling of contentment washes over me. This is so nice, so...normal. We rarely have a chance to do stuff like this. I ignore Hayley's teasing when my hair takes the same amount of time as her hair and makeup...plus a few extra minutes. What can I say, it's my trademark.

I kiss Hayley against the door before we leave. It's difficult not to lace my fingers through hers as we walk down the hallway together, I've gotten used to just being with her. When we climb into the elevator, it stops on the floor below us. A man in a suit gets in and I step away from Hayley immediately, recognizing him as one of the men from my meeting yesterday. He eyes us closely but doesn't comment.