MORE (Completed)

Chapter 27

"You don't like it?" he asks with a shy smile, brushing his shorter hair back. He takes a few hesitant steps toward the heavy wooden desk, looking a little out of place—like he's not sure he belongs.

I'm still stunned. He's here. In my house. My daughter opened the door for him.

I stay quiet a moment too long. All I want is to hug him, to run my fingers through that soft hair—but I stop myself. I have to.

"You look great, Ashley," he says, still smiling. And I realize I am too.

"It's lovely, Harry. I liked it longer," I admit, then blush. "But you still look good. You always do."

He chuckles. "Then I guess I'll let it grow out after filming's done."

"How are you?" he asks before I can respond again. There's concern behind his words.

"I... I'm okay."

His face tightens. "That weasel. That bastard Noah. When I get my hands on him—"

"Harry, it's okay," I move toward him, cautiously. I still can't quite believe he's here. That he left everything to come see me.

"It's not okay!" he says, pacing. "Had I not come here... if I hadn't pushed so hard... if only I—"

"You didn't exactly have to twist my arm," I try to joke, hoping to ease the tension.

"But you did resist, Ash. I didn't listen. I insisted. And now your job is on the line. Your future!" His voice cracks. "I went about this so wrong. In my attempt to show you I'm a man, that I could be someone you could depend on... I enrolled in your university, your class, for God's sake! And I put your entire career at risk."

He pauses, eyes stormy. "I tried so hard to prove I was your equal. That I wasn't just some kid. That I was smart enough, capable enough, good enough. And all I did was prove the opposite."

"Harry, you didn't know—"

"I should have known. I wanted to show you what you were missing. I wanted to stay close to you. And now look where we are."

"Harry, please, calm down," I say gently. "My daughter's in the next room."

His eyes widen. "Jesus. And now I've dragged her into this too."

He starts pacing again, running a hand down his face. My heart aches watching him unravel.

"Harry, please—just sit," I say softly, gesturing to the chair across from me. It hurts to see him like this, so full of guilt, so broken.

He sinks into the seat. "It's not okay. This is all my fault."

"Stop saying that. We're two consenting adults. We both knew the risks. Let's just figure out what to do next."

He doesn't respond, just mutters something under his breath about Noah and clenches his fists.

I kneel in front of him and take his hands in mine—cold hands, shaking. I lift them to my lips and kiss his knuckles.

"If things go badly—" I begin, but he cuts me off.

"Don't say that. I'll never forgive myself."

"Shhh. Listen to me. If the worst happens, I'll survive. I've saved money. I can open a practice. I'll be okay. We will be okay."

His eyes search mine, full of panic. "You're not going to talk to the dean, are you? Can't you just give Coopers what he wants? Just this once?"

The vulnerability in his voice breaks something in me. I see the boy in the man, the fear behind his strength.