The state I'm in COMPLETED

Revelations

Rose had let him in.

I could hear their voices drifting from the kitchen, casual and light, the clinking of cups against the table filling the space.

But the moment I stepped inside, he immediately stood, greeting me with a chaste kiss and a warm hug.

I melted into it, into him, despite everything inside me warning me not to.

He looked amazing.

Black jeans, torn at the knees. A grey t-shirt that clung just enough to his lean frame, exposing glimpses of the ink that covered his skin—the same puzzling tattoos that only made him more impossibly attractive.

I missed him.

More than I should have. More than I understood.

How can you miss someone so much when you've known them so little?

"Hey. How did you do?" he asked, eyes searching mine with genuine concern.

Before I could answer, Rose cut in. "You don't even need to ask her, she did well," she scoffed, waving a hand. "Unlike us, she doesn't even need to study much."

I grinned. "Not my fault I'm smart."

Harry smirked, his eyes softening as I sat next to him.

"You're here early," I noted.

"I finished work at three, had a shower, picked up my bag, and left. I even stopped by Pete's apartment to drop off my stuff before I came here," he explained easily.

"You're fast," Rose said, raising a brow. "Anyway, I'm taking a nap. We're coming to the club tonight, by the way. Harry, you're welcome to come too."

"Okay. If Pete doesn't want to come, I might take you up on your offer and bore you all night," he teased, flashing a rare smile.

I loved that he was more relaxed today.

More present.

Rose tactfully left us alone, and I led him to the living room, where we sank into the big, black sofa.

The moment we sat, he reached for my hand.

His thumb traced over my fingers absentmindedly, and I felt my breath shift.

Those eyes.

Penetrating. Invading every thought. Every hesitation. Every part of me.

"Did you miss me?" he asked, a knowing grin tugging at his lips.

I blushed. "Very."

His grip on my hand tightened slightly. "I missed you too."

Something in his voice made my heart race.

He wasn't just saying it.

He meant it.

I barely had time to process that before his phone rang.

"Excuse me, I have to take this," he muttered, already sliding his thumb across the screen.

And then everything changed.

His expression hardened instantly.

He stood, putting distance between us.

His voice was low, controlled. "No, not yet. No, I will. I can't talk right now."

I felt a weight settle in my chest.