Red String 2 {h.s}

Chapter 2

The morning after Amy's opening, Gemma, Anne, Harry and Amy enjoy a leisurely brunch prepared by Harry at his apartment.

"Amy, I'm still blown away by your work last night. Although, I should have known from those photos you took at Jack's birthday party. They were just wonderful! No one could stop talking about them. Also, I never thanked you for sending that photo. I have it up on my fireplace mantle. I adore it!" Anne says.

"What photo?" Harry asks. It's been awhile since he's been at his mum's place.

"Amy sent this beautiful framed photo of me, you and Gem from the party. We're all in fits, laughing. She sent it after the party."

"I didn't know you did that," Harry looks at Amy, who just shrugs modestly. He's amazed that she still manages to surprise him with her thoughtfulness.

Harry's phone rings and he checks the caller ID. It's Jeff. He looks at the time and thinks it's awfully early for Jeff to be awake in L.A. He knows he had flown home after helping Amy out on Friday. He had an event to attend on Saturday and he plans to be back in New York on Monday for SNL.

"Hey!" he answers, cheerfully.

"H, what happened to what we discussed?"

Harry excuses himself from the table and Amy looks up at him, concerned about the worried look on his face.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you and Amy. I thought you said you weren't going public yet."

"We aren't. We kept our distance last night."

"Then, what are these photos I'm looking at of the two of you kissing?"

Shit. Harry had thought they were alone.

"Sorry Jeff. I thought it was safe."

"You of all people should know Harry, there's always someone watching."

"What do you want to do?"

"What do I want to do?! This is your call. You were the one who told me that you were keeping it under wraps."

"I know, I know."

Amy watches as Harry paces the room nearby, running his hands through his hair repeatedly. It's the tell-tale sign that he's stressed. As soon as he starts pinching his lips, she excuses herself from the table and approaches him just as he hangs up the phone.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Sort of. Uh..." and Harry stumbles on his words because he isn't quite sure what to say. He knows she wanted to keep their relationship private for a little bit but then last night she had been the one who had initiated the public kiss with him. He doesn't want to disappoint her by telling her about the photos but he doesn't want to lie to her either.

"Is it about the photos?" she asks, interrupting his thoughts.

Harry looks at her stunned and immediately stops his frantic movements.

"You know?" his eyebrows lifting in surprise.

"Only about a half dozen people texted me them," she says, smiling broadly.

"What?! How come you're so calm? I thought you wanted to keep it quiet?"

"I did. But then I realized that I fell in love with Harry Styles and you ain't easy to hide, baby," she smirks up at him.

He looks at her incredulously, too shocked to say anything. She's squeezing his heart again, just the way he likes.

"Listen, I already had you to myself for a year. Then, last night at the gallery, all I wanted to do was hold your hand and I couldn't. We've had so many restrictions on our relationship in the past that I'm just ready for those to all be taken away, so I can touch you and kiss you whenever I want to," she says, and leans forward planting a soft kiss on his mouth.