Spanish lessons

9. Feeling it out

Hold me closer, tiny dancer. - Florence + the Machine

For Harry, tomorrow couldn't come sooner. When he had come back to his hotel room, Aria was sleeping peacefully in her crib, Louise next to her on the sofa. Harry quickly went to the bathroom, then to his own room (the pleasure of staying in the suite was having his separate bedroom, although Aria would sleep with him in his bed anyway when it was only the two of them.) Tonight though, he was thankful for Louise keeping her company. He needed some alone time.

Replaying the last hours in his head, Harry went through his usual nighttime routine. Taking off the boots, he realized he was a bit annoyed that Charlotte hadn't noticed them, or if she had she hadn't said anything. Maybe she was just not that impressed? He made a mental note to ask her about them tomorrow. The pants and shirt followed. Now just in his black Calvin Klein Boxer Briefs, he hung up the shirt and pants and entered the en suite bathroom. Toothbrush, face wash, towel, moisturizer; he had internalized the movements like the choreography of a figure skater. It took him just five minutes to be ready for bed. At least his body was. His mind kept running a mile a minute, and his heartbeat had entered the race, too.

Calm down now, Styles, would you? But she was so pretty. In her own way. I don't know if I had expected her to wear a dress, but anyway her choice was much better. I hope she didn't notice what her top did to me. Those lace details? Oh my god. Was I too clingy holding her hand almost the whole time? I didn't even notice I was doing it, but I hope she would have said something if it had bothered her. Honestly though, she is a damn beautiful woman but the prettiest thing about her was the warmth and joy radiating from her all the time. Could have soaked that up all night. Damn, should I have gone for a full kiss in the lobby? What if there won't be another opportunity? Yeah we see each other tomorrow but I will take my princess with me and it's not that I would hide affection towards another woman from my daughter (bet she already noticed anyway that I like Charlotte, and more than I initially planned), but I want that moment to be special and just between us two. She leaves on Sunday. Just one taste from her would be heavenly.

Somewhere along the third repetition of a similar train of thought, Harry fell asleep.

Charlotte was lying in bed fully awake. 3:28 am, a quick glance at her phone told her.

I have 5 hours left to sleep, just leave it already? This overanalyzing won't help you now, and it certainly won't help you fall asleep, which is very necessary to get through the day tomorrow (it ain't tomorrow until she had slept, cardinal rule).

She tossed and turned for a while, trying to get at least a bit of rest in the time that was left. But her brain and heart would have none of that.

Hopefully Harry is getting his sleep. Should I have made more of a move myself when saying goodbye? But he seemed so determined in his actions that that was the level of intimacy he was comfortable with. Still, a proper kiss would have been nice. Haven't had one in too long. But whatever he is comfortable with, Charlotte tried to talk herself out of her desire for physical touch. Just imagine what his lips might feel like. Not just on my skin, although that almost made me faint. Charlotte reminisced the brief moment of physical intimacy at their parting. Bet he didn't want to rush into it. I hope he got my signs of affection towards him. Christ, I didn't plan to like him this much. Am I falling in love with Harry Styles?

I leave in two days. Maybe I'll never see him again after this, I can't leave without even trying. I hope he wants this, too. If we never see each other again after this brief romance, at least I will have tried. For God's sake, Charlotte, pull yourself together. Are you really that head over heels for him already? Well, who wouldn't be? He's the most gorgeous and kind person and his whole personality is so intriguing, I didn't want the evening to end.