Harry

Chapter 4

I surveyed myself in the mirror one last time. I was wearing a plain white tank top, a little skimpier than the ones I usually wore, the deeper cut exposing a fair amount of cleavage. I'd slipped into my favourite distressed denim jeans, high waisted and tight and hugging me in all the right places. My makeup was light, a faint golden shimmer highlighting my cheekbones, and a subtle smudge of chocolate eyeshadow in the corners of my eyes. I unclipped my hair and let the mahogany waves spill down over my back and around my shoulders before slipping into some black heels. A sudden thudding on my door made me jump.

"Doe! Come on, we'll be late meeting the guys!" Charlene shouted impatiently. I rolled my eyes, smiling slightly in amusement as I quickly slicked a nude gloss over my lips, and grabbed my leather jacket before heading to the door. I knew the reason for Charlene's agitation was her not so secret infatuation with Theon.

I entered the kitchen to a chorus of wolf whistles from my girls and grinned back at them all. They all looked great.

"Okay are we ready to go now? Come on guys." Char said eagerly, and Sydney rolled her eyes as she took a swig from her beer from where she sprawled on the couch.

"You know those idiots won't be there at ten right?" She drawled, tossing her head to flick some of her iron straight white and pink hair from her face.

Luna chuckled throatily, as she leaned against the counter. "Preach. I bet they don't make an appearance a minute before 11." She predicted loftily.

"Guys, please, you know I hate being late." Char pleaded, cheeks flushing from the stress. Sydney lolled her head back indolently to gaze up at her.

"You know I hate going anywhere completely sober. Let's stay here and drink a bit." She whined defiantly, her pout turning into a grin when Luna nodded in agreement and quickly grabbed a bottle of prosecco from the fridge.

"Yeah and we'll definitely need to be off our faces to have the patience to deal with Theon all night." Luna said, taking a glug straight from the bottle. We all chuckled at that. My friends and Theon have amusing relationships. Sydney regards Theon with a dry, lazy amusement, finding him almost as entertaining as I do. Though she often threatens bodily harm on him, the twinkle in her eye always belies her aggressive words to him. Charlene can't even look at Theon without her face blooming into a colour startlingly similar to her auburn roots, though Theon seems to consider her more of a kid sister than anything else. With Luna, Theon flirts shamelessly, enjoying how irrationally feisty his come-on's make her. No one can get under her skin like Theon, though she refuses to touch such a 'man slut' with a ten-foot pole.

I stepped up to Char and wrapped my arm round her shoulders.

"How about we pre-drink for about twenty minutes and then head off hey babe?" I asked giving her a squeeze. She sighed, knowing she was beaten and took a seat reluctantly. I poured us both a glass of prosecco and handed her hers with a wink, making her finally break out in a small smile.

We arrived outside the Devil's Due around 10:40, our arms loosely linked as we walked slightly unsteadily, laughter pealing from our lips. I entered first, giggles still escaping me. I'd told one of my awful dad-jokes and though all my friends had visibly cringed at least I amused myself. I remember the moment so clearly. My hand was holding the door open, I was looking down smiling. I looked up and froze mid laugh when I locked eyes with a man standing at the end of the bar.

That was the first time I saw Sam.

He was leaning against the bar and there was another man in front of him saying something, but he was no longer paying attention. He was tall and broad, with tanned skin and light brown hair cropped short. His eyes were hazel and seemed to twinkle, sounds ridiculous I know, but it's true. His gaze was direct, open and warm as it held mine. My eyes dropped to the strong muscles of his throat as he swallowed. Our stare off was broken when Luna nudged me from behind.