Seasons [h.s]

Summer - Part 8

"Mommy, are you alright?" Mia asked from the bathtub.

Mia's beautiful, and yet painfully tainted birthday party was over. The guests had gone home, while Jared, the Styles family, and I finished cleaning up the remains. To say the atmosphere was uncomfortable would be an understatement. No one talked to one another - except when trying to figure out where certain things went. Harry and I didn't say a single word; I fought the urge to even look in his direction.

Now that her birthday party was over and we were back at the penthouse, I felt a twinge of anxiety stirring in my stomach. I knew he was waiting downstairs, and I wanted to give him a taste of how horrible waiting could feel. The longer I stayed in the bathroom with Mia, the longer he was forced to wait for me.

"Of course, honey. Why?" My voice rose in pitch as I tried to lie.

"You had a mad face all day! Did I make you mad?"

"No, baby!" I comforted and placed a hand in her wet hair. "You could never make me angry."

She looked relieved. "I thought you were mad about my birthday wish."

With a puzzled expression, I removed my hand from her hair. "What wish, Mia?"

Looking down, she muttered, "I-I wished for Harry to come back."

I tried my best to keep my composure. "Oh...Did you?"

She nodded. "And it came true so fast! I think I'm a good wisher!"

"Yes, Mia. It seems that way," I grabbed a towel, wrapped it around her, and carried her to her bedroom.

I said nothing else as I helped her into her pajamas. I knew if I continued to speak, Mia would notice my disapproval. The last thing I wanted was to make her feel like she did something wrong. After tucking her in and kissing her forehead, I took a deep breath and walked out her bedroom door. I had no idea how the next conversation would go, but at that point, I just wanted to get it over with.

"Gracey?" Jared's voice caused me to jump.

"Jared? What the hell?! You scared me!" I bit, placing a hand over my heart.

"I'm sorry." He squeezed my forearm.

"What are you still doing here, anyway? I thought you'd have left by now." I continued down the stairs.

"I wasn't sure if you wanted backup, don't forget I have a pretty good right hook." Jared threw a punch at the air for effect. He stopped walking when it didn't earn him a laugh. "Grace, seriously. Do you want me to stay?"

I looked down at my feet. "I need to do this alone." I felt his fingers curl under my chin and lift my gaze in his direction. His eyes were soft but attentive. He seemed to be searching my eyes for a  truer answer. "I'll be okay," I continued. "He's not going to hurt me."

"Trust me, that's not what I'm worried about." He scoffed.

"Hey, I'm in charge of my heart, remember?" I playfully hit his arm.

"Right... You're in charge of your heart, Gracey. Just don't forget that when you're looking into those eyes of his, okay?" He squeezed my cheek before reluctantly walking down the stairs and out the door.

I was surprised when I didn't find Harry in the kitchen or living room. I looked all around the first floor and couldn't find him anywhere. Heading back upstairs, I heard some rustling coming from the art studio. I peered through the small crack in the slightly-opened door and saw Harry's tall frame glancing at one of my paintings. Taking another deep breath, I opened the door.