Eve POV

I'm home today. I don't have to work at the diner or go to the publishing office.

I always find it weird when I don't leave every morning to go to work. Or even to the foster centre or dog shelter. I always like to be out of the house so I don't have to think about John.

John is my ex boyfriend...

My phone vibrates beside me and I look to it. Harry's name is on the screen.

Harry: hello

Harry: how's Doug? Good?

Harry: I mean

Harry: I should've probably asked how you are first then the dog

Harry: how are you? Good?

Me: I'm swell wbu

Harry: I'm okay

Me: just okay?

Harry: yeah

Me: Doug is good , to answer your main question

Harry: you were my main question

Harry: I just didn't put you guys in order like how I wanted too

Harry: not that I care about Doug more than you which isn't true

Harry: I mean

Harry: I care about the dog too that's why I asked

Harry: I just didn't mean to ask about Doug first

Me: I never knew someone could ramble over text

Harry: I ramble a lot sometimes

Me: you know

Me: since we're texting, you can think about what you want to say first then hit send

Me: just in case you don't want to ramble :)

Harry: I only ramble when I'm nervous

Me: why are you nervous

Harry: because the purpose of me texting you was so I could ask you out on a date

Me: ohhhhhhhh

Harry: yeahhhhhhh

Me: you didn't give me when, or where styles

Harry: I told you I'm not good at this stuff

Me: you're better than my ex boyfriend so you're fine

Harry: what was your ex boyfriend like?

Me: just

Me: a very bad person

Harry: is that a touchy subject? Sorry

Me: half and half

Harry: like your coffee

Me: wow you remembered

Harry: I did :)

Harry: I didn't really think of a place because I didn't know where you like to go. I'm thinking somewhere where you can wear jeans because I know you like to be comfortable

Harry: not that you're a lazy person who just wears jeans and doesn't like to get dressed up

Harry: I just know you like jeans and sweaters

Harry: and I want to pick a place where you can wear jeans and sweaters so you're comfortable

Harry: :)

Me: I can smell the anxiety from here

Harry: :)

Me: haha

Me: do you like the restaurant champs?

Harry: yes

Me: we can go there

Harry: okay , sounds good

Harry: uh

Harry: Saturday at uh 7?

Me: I'll see if I'm busy

Harry: oh

Harry: okay just uh let me know

Me: wow

Me: I guess jokes aren't your thing

Harry: you were joking?

Me: yes

Me: when am I ever busy in the weekends?

Harry:...

Harry: I can't really think rn okay

Me: I can tell, my bad

Me: see you on Saturday

Harry: at 7

Harry: I can pick you up if you'd like

Me: okay sounds like a plan

Harry: :)

***

I answer my front door on Saturday at seven with Doug in my arms.

I see Harry is behind the door tugging his hand through his hair. A faint smile is on his lips.

"I would assume you wanted to see Doug." I hand him over the dog and walk back into my apartment to grab my shoes.

I reach for my white converse that I finally cleaned. I slip them on my feet and tie the laces.

I grab my phone and wallet before walking over to Harry who's by the door that's closed now. Doug is in his arms. I smile gently.

"Ready?" He asks me. I nod.

I'm wearing black jeans that are semi tight but give me enough belly room. Yes, belly room because my stomach doesn't like to me squished. My shirt is a grey sweater that is rolled up at my elbow. Fun fact, I bought this sweater in four different colours. My usual, olive green, grey, navy blue, and black.

We leave my apartment and I lock the door behind us. Soon we start walking down the hallway.

"You look nice." I hear Harry say to me. I look up at him and see his eyes are peering down at me.

"Thanks." I murmur. "You do too." I didn't want to argue the fact that I don't look good. I just take the compliment that I'm not used to getting.

Harry is wearing the black jeans I picked out for him and a white button up shirt that is folded up at his mid forearm. His shoes are brown boots which I've seen him wear before. His shirt is opened two buttons at the top so his chest is slightly showing. I enjoy the fact that he's dressing more casual and he's gotten rid of the "casual slacks".

"Do I look too causal?" I hear him ask me as we're in the elevator.

"No, you look fine."

"I was going to wear my casual slacks but I felt like you would've yelled at me."

"I would've." I say making a small smile go on his lips. "Just throw out the causal slacks."

"That's rude." I chuckle to myself.

We step into the cold winter air and walk to his car. "How are you not cold?" I ask him.

"I'm going to be sweating a lot tonight so." I raise an eyebrow at him. "Fuck that sounded dirty. I mean like nervous sweat, I get that a lot. So I chose not to wear a jacket." He rambles.

"Gotcha." I laugh.

"Did I mention you look good tonight?"

"Yes." I say. My eyes look to Harry who is staring down at me. A faint smile is on his lips.

***

"Pepsi again?" Harry remarks to me as we ordered our drinks. He chose his usual scotch and I chose my usual soda.

"Yep." I hum.

"You never told me why you don't drink." He flicks a sugar packet at me and I chuckle.

"My Mom died from a drug overdose, and she was a closet alcoholic." I say bluntly making his face turn soft. "Being an alcoholic runs in the family and I don't want to be one so I stay away from it." I say honestly.

Our drinks are placed down in front of us and Harry doesn't touch his drink. I tilt my head at him. "You drank in front of me last time and I was fine. I am fine when people drink around me."

"You sure?" I nod. My friends do all the time and I don't care.

"How old were you when she died?" Harry asks timidly.

"Seven." I say. "It was by heroin if you were wondering." I can see the curiosity written on his face.

"Is this a touchy subject for you?"

"No." I say honestly. "Maybe it would be if I were the one who found her." I say. "Anyways, do you got any siblings?" I ask.

"One older sister named Gemma. You?"

"Four older brothers." I murmur.

"You're the only girl?" I nod.

"It's a good thing because growing up I was spoiled. Not a good thing because they always ask about my relationships with boys." I wish they questioned my past relationship. But they liked John and thought we was a good guy.

"Are you close with your brothers?" I pause for a moment.

"I technically only have three brothers now." I say. His head tilts. "My life isn't really the happiest to talk about." I chuckle while staring down at my drink.

"You don't have to talk about it, if you don't want too."

"I don't have a problem talking about it because it's me. Whatever happened in my childhood is part of my life. But I'm used to people deciding to not be friends with me because they think I'm crazy."

"I'm not going anywhere. I have my own share of craziness." Harry says with a small smile.

"Maybe I'll tell you on a different date, if there is one." I sip my Pepsi and he gives me a side smile.

"Why wouldn't there be a second?"

"I don't know, you tell me." I flick the sugar packet back at him. "Tell me something about your life so it evens out."

"I don't have a Dad." He brings up.

"Did he die?"

"No, he left when I was three. He is remarried and has two kids. One boy one girl." I bite my lip.

"Are you close with your Mom then?" I ask.

"I was." He says. "Then a lot of stuff happened and we stopped being so close. She calls me every week, I call back once a month."

"Why's that?" I call my Dad every week.

"Maybe I'll tell you on a different date." I smile at his words.

***

The date was nice.

He paid for our meals. I argued saying I can pay half. He didn't let me pay for half or even the tip.

"Thanks for dinner." I say to Harry as we stand by my front door.

"No need to thank me." He says with a small smile. "I'll uh, see you Monday at the office?" I nod.

His eyes meet mine for a brief moment. I take out my key. "Goodnight Harry."

"Goodnight Eve." I unlock my door and Doug greets me.

I ignore the fact that we didn't kiss or even hold hands. Maybe he didn't like the date like I did.

A://N

Longer chapter :/

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Thank you for reading :)

~lauren