Let's Pretend (Harry Styles Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty

(Erin’s P.O.V.)

I tossed my keys on the counter as I walked inside and found Harry in the kitchen making something. I smiled and sat down.

“Hello handsome. What are you making?” I asked. He turned around with his eyebrows raised and smiled at me.

“Oh, I didn’t hear you come in. I’m making tacos!” he announced.

“Tacos? Must be a special occasion,” I said. His face fell and he nodded looking put-off.

“Yeah, I have a bit of news,” he said. I crinkled my forehead.

“What is it?”

He placed a plate in front of me and one in front of him. “Eat first.”

I rolled my eyes and took a bite. “So is this good news or bad news?” I asked curiously. He shrugged.

“A little bit of both.”

“Harry, you’re stressing me out. Just tell me,” I said. He sighed and his green eyes scanned the room then they met mine. He seemed somewhat sad, and it worried me.

“I’m going back to London,” he mumbled. I set my taco down, losing my appetite.

“Oh.”

I couldn’t say that this came as a shock. We had always known that eventually, one of us would have to leave. Our jobs were pretty demanding and to trick myself into thinking that Harry could stay was foolish. Besides, he had a girlfriend to go home to.

“I’m sorry. I wish I could stay, but I can’t. Maybe…you can come with me?” he asked. I looked up from where my eyes were resting on the ground and sighed. “You are from England after all.”

“I know, it’s just that my home is here now. My life is here,” I told him. He reached across the table and cupped my cheek.

“You could make your life in London. Work there instead of Hollywood,” he said softly, his voice hardly over a whisper. I wanted to go with Harry, but with a pang I remembered Kristen. I pushed his hand off my cheek and his face fell.

“Sorry. I can’t. But we can still talk,” I said half-heartedly. He nodded.

“Talk.”

I stood up briskly and tried not to let it show how upset I was and brought my plate to the sink. “When do you leave?” I asked. He turned around in his chair so he could face me, but I wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Tomorrow,” he said. I paused momentarily, my heart stopping, then I went back to scrubbing the plate clean.

“I’ll drive you to the airport so you don’t have to take a cab,” I said.