28 Minutes

6:26

Blue and brown eyes watch carefully as Harry pulls himself to his feet. It seems to take everything in him to pull himself up. I see disappointment in his eyes as he looks between us. He's displeased. I pull Eleanor closer to me, trying to push away my behaviors from tonight.

I need a moment. I need to be with him alone one last time. To say a proper goodbye. I lean down to Eleanor's ear, "Give us a moment. I'll join you at our table." She glances at me up and down before allowing herself to leave. As soon as the door shuts behind her my eyes skip to Harry.

"You know how to break a guy's heart," Harry sighs.

I want to scream that it wasn't my intention. The shame did it. I want to scream that if it were up to my heart I would be with him in a heartbeat, but it's not. My heart doesn't have a say and it never will.

I can't bring myself to say anything because I know that my words will only betray me. They'll either confess something I can't live up to or hurt him even more.

He moved towards me in three sure steps. I can feel his breath fan across my cheeks and his chest ghosting my own. My legs scream to take a step back, but I don't go anywhere.

I feel fingers lift up and up and up towards my face, but stop before they get there. They curl up, as if stopping themsleves from reaching out. I gulp nervously as I feel his fingertips at the back of my neck instead.

My collar is being adjusted. My tie is tucked back into place and his fingers crease the folds of my white, pressed collared shirt. They slide wordlessly towards the front of my throat before dropping again.