[ASTRID REESE]
London, England

★ ★ ★

First dates are terrifying. Humans ache to please others in a way that makes them shine and leaves them unforgettable. They crave the self-satisfaction that comes with making someone else want them the way they want others. Nerves shoot through the roof, hands shake while cheeks hurt from smiling so much, mouth becoming dry and in need of refreshments.

Perhaps having a first date in a restaurant is not the smartest option. How could one hold up a conversation with their mouth full? The slight embarrassment that comes with eating in front of someone else for the first time is also something people often times leave out of story-times. Doing so would mean admitting to awkwardness and feeling uncomfortable, which can be considered negative and no one would want to hang that over a first date.

All the while, on the other hand, it could also be the perfect option. The situation leaves the couple to immerse themselves in a protective bubble that surrounds them. Giving them the chance to talk without being interrupted once served, the time to relax into the position of sitting up with a fair distance from the partner. Food and drinks are provided, the toilets only steps away, with all the freedom to stay for as long as their heart wishes. Undoubtedly, if someone is serious about getting to know the other, it is one of the most flawless environments to choose.

Before that part of the journey can come to life, the beginning of the story also plays a crucial part in achieving success. The flirting that turns both parties timid with blood rushing to the surface of their cheeks, soft giggles erupting from the back of their throats like they can't think of a better way to fill the silence. Harry Styles happened to be amazing at that, according to Astrid, who couldn't help but bask in the glory of his compliments as she made it through the main door of her apartment complex. Twirling around before him meanwhile he leaned against his car like earlier that day.

"Wow," he breathed in amazement at the sight of her which caused Astrid's mind to clear, her nerves to calm, body to relax. Harry made a move towards her as did she, only stopping once the distance between them could've been filled with the width of his arm. "You look so beautiful."

"I think the intent was to look smoking hot, but I will take beautiful," she joked to deflect the compliment because she didn't like the way it affected her. Butterflies in the stomach, blood in the cheeks, cold sweat all over the body.

"My bad," he said with a grin so wide on his face that it practically reached his ears. Reese found his dimples to be adorable, they made him look so much younger. Not that he could've been much older than her. "You look smoking hot."

Astrid's head titled slightly to the right, humming, as the comment lingered between them for a moment. Letting her eyes steal a quick glance from the man before her, it appeared as though he felt fine allowing her to decide whether the first or second compliment felt nicer.

"I think I will take compliment option number one, if that's okay," she chuckled, Harry following suit. She didn't know but her laugh had to be contagious. "You look great, by the way. I wasn't sure what you'd wear so I chose black."

"Just great?" he asked back, making Astrid shift her weight from one leg to the other, hands fidgeting. What on earth? She hasn't felt quite so out of her zone in Harry's company before. This time, it was almost like they have never met before, and he happened to be someone of a higher class than her. Seeing him stand before his luxurious car in his rather expensive looking outfit, that theory wasn't far-fetched in the least.

"Okay—you look really great."

Harry's right hand snapped upwards, palm resting close to his heart before he let his head fall backwards. Astrid wasn't sure what this reaction meant until he began laughing like he heard one of the greatest jokes in the world. Standing where she had been all along, Reese rolled her lips into her mouth, licking them afterwards, while the quietest little chuckle fell through them.

When Harry looked at her again, she said, "Oh, there's our ride," at the sight of the white vehicle. With that, Harry pushed himself away from his car and stood beside Astrid, one hand gently attaching to her lower back. Warmth radiated from his touch, seeping through the black material of the dress, sinking into Astrid's skin until it reached her bones.

In the car, they didn't talk to each other much. Harry mostly held the conversation with the driver, seeing as his ability to talk about anything with anyone was unmatchable. Astrid would add a few comments when she saw it fit but for the most part, she was much too busy leaning back and listening to Harry talk, enjoying the way his fingers trailed their way up and down her thigh, over her knee, softly across her arm. 

Up until she met him, she was one hundred percent sure she couldn't be attracted to someone's voice. It wasn't possible. People are annoying, especially when they run their mouth. But then there he was, in all his sexiness and glory, perfect speed of speech and slight accent, and he changed her mind instantly.

Obviously.

A word that rolled off of his tongue and lips frequently. In a way that left Astrid's mouth twitching. She constantly wanted to smile or chuckle when he said it, but she didn't want him to stop talking. Her newly found obsession with his voice made her feel a little creepy, and she noticed the red flags going up higher and higher in the corners of her eyes.

Even then, with the warnings, Astrid barely realised they made it to LaRue's. Funnily enough, her unawareness made for the perfect opportunity for Harry to open her door, ultimately causing her bubble to pop. She ducked her head out a little as he stood outside, reaching a hand in to help her out. Placing her right hand in his, she quickly thanked the driver for the ride, then leaned into Harry to get on her feet. The cold air immediately engulfed her and she wondered how it got so chilly so fast. When they left, she was fine. Perhaps being in the car for a while had something to do with it, Harry sitting so close to her for all that time.

She thought it had to be. It was. The moment he pulled her closer, arm going around her body, she felt cosy again. Being a human shield for her, Astrid enjoyed the warmth coming from him, the way he blocked the wind, more than she could admit. And when he asked her, "Are you alright?" as she shivered against him, wearing the softest smile she could've ever imagined on his face, she sure was about to melt.

Lit up by the street lights from the sides, LaRue's sign was neon purple. Long, tall glass window front with black detailing. The pavement was grey, and trees lined sparsely before the restaurant on the green grass, lean and thin, branches bare due to the time of year. A queue on the right from where Astrid stood curled around the building, everyone behind the black satin barrier, eager to get in. Although her and Sofia often times looked up the restaurant, she somehow seemed to forget that they had security posted at the entrance, almost like the place was filled with VIP and it wasn't a restaurant but a nightclub.

"Your friend better come out and pull us through a secret passage because I'm sure as hell not waiting in that line," Astrid told Harry as they made their way over. Stopping on the edge, they let the cars pass, then speed walked over before another reached them.

Harry laughed as he walked beside her and it made Astrid glance at him. There wasn't much difference in their height, maybe half a head if she had to make a judgement call. Without her heels, there was a possibility that the half could become a full head. She couldn't remember how she appeared near him during their previous encounters.

Looking around to make sure they were safe, Harry also turned his head, then said, "I'm not sure he'd be able to provide us with a secret passage."

"That's a shame."

"Mmhm," he agreed. "Would the front door work for you, beautiful?"

Astrid's jaw dropped. Almost physically. Her heart did a loop-de-loop in her chest, then it plopped to the bottom of her stomach like it no longer knew how to function.

"The front door will work just fine," she managed to say out loud, brain still processing the pet name. To admit to the last time anyone had called her anything of the sort would be terribly embarrassing, considering how her last relationship was the longest she's ever had.

Harry had the connections Astrid wished to have. The kind that allowed him to jump queues and slip in without a second glance. Standing beside him made her want to act like she deserved to be in front of everyone else and that was clear in the way she rolled her shoulders back, lifted her chin a little higher, swinging her hips a little farther out.

Her posture was also to attract Harry's attention and she felt it as he let her walk in first, his eyes so intensely focused on her from the back of her head down to her waist, hips then legs, that she wondered if humans could actually light on fire. Sizzling skin and drumming heart accompanied her to the table where Harry pulled the chair out for her. There, she placed her elbows on the table, fingers intertwining meanwhile her eyes followed the man's movements until he sat across from her.

Drink orders taken soon enough, along with some appetisers, the two were left to make do of what they had. Each other.

"So," beginning the night-long conversation, Harry sighed, unbuttoning his blazer with one hand before he placed both of them on the table, fingers tangled. He wore rings, each of them unique from the other yet somehow perfectly fitting together.

"So," Astrid echoed as her lips dressed her face with a smile, one that was meant to cover her nerves. Judging from Harry's lack of concern, she was winning.

"LaRue's—is it living up to the imagination?"

"That's a difficult question to answer," now that was a response Harry didn't expect. Astrid heard him hum but say nothing else. That was a sign which Reese noticed and took as a free card to carry on explaining. "I suppose it's strange. The sign, the front... it's all something I've seen so many times. In passing. On photos. Yet it doesn't feel real to be here."

"Well, for what it's worth, it is very real—this is very real," he said surely, but to Astrid it sounded like he meant something else. Given the new environment, the tons of new faces she was surrounded by, it felt impossible to figure out what he aimed at. Her eyes constantly ran around the room, then quickly jumped back at him, only to find something else much more intriguing again. "Tonight, especially."

"What do you mean?"

"I've heard there's some big shot actors here tonight," he let it slip, taking a glance around. That's when Astrid caught the sharp line of his jaw. That was the first feature. It stood out and grasped her without the intent of letting go. It ran so perfectly along the side of his face, connecting to his ear that his freshly trimmed, and styled, hair highlighted. There was no facial hair in sight, not like the time at the pub. Seeing him like this, so dressed up and in an environment that she forgot to imagine him in, she felt like she was in a movie. A dream, perhaps.

"That would explain the queue," she managed to add the comment before it got too silent. Harry turned his head back then, looking at her with a smile that never ceased to fade.

"Most certainly would, wouldn't it?" he asked back. "I hope you don't mind. There might be some commotion."

"Can't say I have any experience in being surrounded by such crowd so there's nothing I should mind."

Again, Astrid was gifted with a smile. Harry looked down at his lap like he felt shy and it made Reese shift in her seat, crossing her legs beneath the table. Next thing she knew, she heard him chuckle under his breath and he shook his head while thinking about something. Those moments, she thought, those damn moments she wished she could read minds. Not for any other reason than being nosy. Astrid always had to know things.

"What?" she decided to ask, flat out, but also terrified of the answer. Her thoughts tried to overwhelm her, all the negativity she fought so hard to keep at bay, were all coming at her with such power that she felt like a dandelion being blown away.

"It is not my intention to scare you off before our date could even begin, but I must say your openness and light-hearted attitude is something I find incredibly refreshing."

"Is that to say you expected otherwise?"

"Hm?" eyebrows raised as though he'd get more out of Astrid, he hummed and laughed softly. "No..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes..." he said. "And no," came the rest not a second later, causing Astrid to raise her eyebrows. Even she, herself, didn't know what the answer would be so when he dropped the fifty-fifty card, her curiousness spiked. "Can I be honest?"

"Please."

"Let me take you back to the night we met," he began, sounding like he was set to tell the best story ever in history. Astrid couldn't complain considering that she hung off of his every word like a lovesick puppy, practically begging him to speak for as long as he could because in that very moment, the only way she could survive would be by hearing him chat. "You were at the bar and I happened to get there just in time, didn't I?"

"Yes. I remember it that way," she nodded, confirming that they had the same experience. Although the way he was sugar coating it left her to believe he knew more than he let her believe.

"As much as it pains me to ruin a story that could be quite so unique for how we met, I have to tell you that I didn't accidentally stumble up on you," and there it was. The surprise. The drop of the other shoe that Astrid never even expected. Hell, she didn't even know there was already one shoe that dropped. For all she knew, this could've been the first, and there was an even heavier coming in the near future.

"O-Okay..."

Harry's eyes widened in fear as he must've perceived Astrid's facial expression, noticed the uncertainty in her voice. Giving him a lot more benefit than doubt, she wanted to assume that he was good at reading body language. She figured he had to be because he was a surgeon and those people usually speak to patients and their families. Ergo, they have to know how to deliver news, especially when it's bad, and unless they can tell how someone is going to react before even giving them a reason to, they would probably never leave their patient's side.

In the meantime, their drinks and appetisers were brought out, and Astrid got right into it. The mozzarella sticks were screaming her name and it echoed all over her, begging for her fingers to pick up a breaded treat and dip it in the marinara sauce.

"Please, don't be alarmed," he chuckled but it didn't calm the racing thoughts in her head. "You followed me before that, didn't you? On Instagram."

"Well, yes—but that's not the same as me turning up somewhere you are," she reasoned, turning her mozzarella stick around so she could double dip the edge of it. Even though they have done things worse than swapping saliva, she wasn't sure where he stood. Regardless of the little debate in her head, Harry had to agree, which he showed through a little nod. Before he responded, he decided to have a sip of his drink.

"Granted," he said just as he swallowed. "You follow me, I follow back. Your account opens, and I'm left there, intrigued to find out who you are because why would anyone follow an inactive user?"

"Instagram stories?"

"Fair enough," he smiled, leaning back in his chair. Was he manspreading? Astrid could see that. One of his elbows stuck out so he had to be resting his palm on that thigh. "So... as I said, it felt like a whole new world laid before me, ready to explore."

"You make my life sound a lot more interesting than it is."

"Everyone says that about their own life because they are used to how they lead it. Feels different to someone who's not a regular part of it," he explained because he always had something to say. He was a chatter, of course, he knew how to continue on. Astrid felt attracted to that, or she supposed she did. Perhaps it was his voice, which she established was the nicest sounding voice she's ever heard. "With that being said, sharing snippets of it online doesn't exactly replicate all of it, does it? Just gives us an idea of who someone might be."

"Unless you thrive off of documenting everything you do, every single minute of every single day."

"Yes," he chuckled and tried some of the fried calamari. Inhaling through his nose, once he swallowed the chewed food, he finally got to the bottom of things. "What I'm trying to tell you here is that I've done some good ol' stalking down your feed, and it turns out you absolutely adore that pub. I thought to myself, after finding a post with a caption that said something like 'Friday hideout place', I might as well go there and see if it really is where you escape."

"Because you happened to stalk my page on a Friday."

"Actually, it was right after you followed," Harry admitted with a quick glance to her face then down at the food before them when he found she was watching him. And... gods, was that a blush creeping onto his cheeks? It wasn't anything intimidating in her opinion but he must've felt a little uncomfortable so she also looked down and cleared her throat. "So, I, uh, I made the decision to slip out and leave it up to the universe."

"Seems like the universe stood by you," she said right away like her mind shut off, leaving her mouth in charge, without a filter. She kind of hated how the first thing that came to her was what she ended up saying because hours later she would replay the conversation and find something much funnier or appropriate to add.

"Indeed," he answered and the moment stood still between them. Noise surrounded their table, filling the room, and yet it felt like if Astrid would've fisted the air, she could've squashed some of the invisible tension. Even though she would've preferred to grasp onto the entire bowl of fried cheese because shit, it was the best thing she's ever had. Maybe that's the way forward—so she picked up another stick and went in with the sauce. "Sorry, did I ruin the night?"

"Oh—,"

"It wasn't my intention," he defended like he was losing touch with everything around him and nothing to hold on to. "I wanted you to know the truth because the person I saw displayed online intrigued me enough to make the move."

"Is that a... compliment?" she wondered with eyes flickering between his face and the cheese in the marinara sauce. Lifting it to her mouth, she bit into it while Harry continued on like she said nothing.

"When I got there, I wasn't sure I was ready for that made up person to evaporate before my eyes but it turned out that I worried for no reason," speaking like his chest was weighed down by something, his eyes confirmed that he indeed told the truth. Harry couldn't have looked any more innocent or needy to be heard and taken seriously. She kind of loved that he was desperate for her to believe him. "And so, this is what I meant earlier by expecting something else, but not really."

"So... you expected me to be like you perceived me online but you had a sudden relapse in judgement and thought I wouldn't be the same?"

Pressing his lips tightly together, he had no other option but to nod. Astrid understood what he said and didn't think that was weird. Honestly, she also had a made-up image of him and the possibility of him not matching that person made her want to dig a hole, lay in it then cover it up. Spending such short amount of time with Harry, she didn't feel anywhere near ready to debate whether he came close to her version of him. For right now, he was too opinionated, too much of his own person, and most definitely someone she did not know well enough.

Choosing to keep the upper hand in the situation, purely to feel like she had some parts of this plan going the right way, she held back from telling him about this.

"You'll be glad to know you haven't ruined the night," she said, smiling and her hand reached for the glass of champagne. "But for future reference, maybe try not starting a first date with such honesty."

"Note taken," he told her. "For what it's worth, I'm not planning another first date for a very long time," the seriousness dripped from his voice like honey from a comb. Astrid wasn't dumb so she knew what he meant but then doubted herself because that's what she did when someone shown even the slightest interest in her. To think that someone could like her, rather than tolerate her because they have to, was not normal. Probably because she was used to losing people easily and didn't want to build her hopes up for something more.

"Yes, well, they are definitely a lot of effort," she aimed to make a light hearted joke, only to receive his continuous stare. Such intensity radiating from a pair of green eyes left her praying for another night to live. "I mean..."

"No, you are right," he agreed, lighting up the moment with a smile. Harry reached for a mozzarella stick and bit into it without adding any sauce.

"I am?"

"Mhm," he nodded. "You obviously know how long it took us to get here."

Well, shit. She is right. Coming from Harry Styles? That was the biggest boost of energy she could've gotten that evening.

When their mains came, Astrid was already half full from all the little finger foods they ordered. But then she saw her lasagne, and the side of garlic roll—they really chose roll instead of bread—and chips—they only served fries with the skin on but that wasn't an issue because Astrid loved it—and she couldn't get started on her food fast enough. It smelled heavenly which was clear as her stomach made a sound. She was only a little bit embarrassed about it, and only for about two seconds.

Counting about five swallows through her entire meal, she ate it like she had been kept hostage and starved for two weeks. Her stomach felt so full that she was afraid the famous actors she was dining alongside would attract photographers and she'd end up looking like she was five months pregnant, all over the internet.

Thankfully, her thoughts were distracted by the man sitting opposite to her. Talking obviously came easy to him, and Astrid had a hunch that his job as a doctor had something to do with it.

Harry's eyes lit up with excitement as he looked past Astrid, nodding behind her as he said, "Oh, look at that."

And there, between two tables, a man lowered to his knees. Hands reached upwards. A box in the palm of his right. The entire restaurant went silent. The waiters and waitresses stopped. Astrid continued chewing her meal while the man on his knee spoke to the amazed woman before him.

As if she didn't expect that, she thought to herself as she watched the woman pull her hand to her face and cover her mouth. With a sigh, Astrid turned back to face Harry and she found him entranced by the scene.

"Are you serious?" she chuckled quietly, gaining his attention immediately. Something heavy settled in the pit of Astrid's stomach at the look in his eyes. Such intensity and awe. "You knew this would happen and you're all taken by it?" she whispered at him.

Harry smiled softly and reached for his drink. After a sip, he said, "Enjoy the show, beautiful."

Leaning back against her chair, Astrid couldn't help but scoff and shake her head with an amused smile. That goddamn pet name. It did things to her that she refused to want to accept. Especially so early on in knowing him.

"Yes!" Astrid heard the woman squeal behind her, so she turned and saw as she jumped into the man's arms. How did she not know these people? They were supposed to be this famous couple, according to Harry.

Then again, everyone was famous these days. And Astrid believed it didn't really matter anymore. Not with the way anyone could attain such popularity if they tried a little bit harder. Fame lost its uniqueness in her eyes, and she could only sigh and brush it off. Celebrities no longer had substance to them.

Cheering and applause filled the restaurant before music took over. People got up from their seat and pushed their tables and chairs aside to make room for their excitement. Seeing it all come to life made Astrid smile and she started to laugh when more and more people began dancing. They were actually doing this. In LaRue's. London's most elite restaurant. Oh, once she told Sofia about this...

"Care for a dance?" Harry asked, standing before her, his hand open with his palm facing upwards. She let her gaze dance on his hand then slowly travel up to his face. The expectant shimmer in his eyes, the soft curl of his lips—he looked so incredibly hopeful.

Seriously? She wanted to ask him. Seriously. He seemed to respond with only a dip of his chin.

Astrid chuckled as she placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Standing almost an entire head taller than her, she took pleasure in the way he could've embraced her from the whole world. In a way, he did so once he placed his warm hand on her lower back and guided her closer to the empty spot of the restaurant floor.

The squeal that came out of her sounded awfully like the soon-to-be-bride's from a moment ago when Harry reached for her hand and rolled her from his arm, twirling her until their arms stretched straight. Astrid couldn't help but grasp onto his hand with her fingers, her skin white from the strength she put into it, and Harry smiled at her, amused and content with the reaction.

Not a heartbeat later he pulled her back to his chest, making her twirl, twirl, twirl until he could move his hand back down to her lower back and hold her other hand by slotting his thumb between hers and her other fingers. He was so incredibly smooth with his moves, the way his leg fit perfectly against the both of hers.

"Wow," Astrid breathed, chuckling as she held on to his shoulder with her free hand, the other relaxed in his warm touch. "This shouldn't surprise me."

"What's that?" he looked down at her over the length of his nose, the corners of his mouth tugged upwards. Astrid had to steal a second to catch her breath and hold herself back from the need to lean closer and remove the distance between their lips.

They moved—he moved them, and she followed like a lost puppy in need of attention and rescue.

"You," she said when he stepped back and gave her a twirl, beneath his arm this time. Astrid stepped back to him, hand on his shoulder, the other in his grasp, and smiled. "Dancing. Quite well, might I add."

"You're not so bad yourself," he winked at her and she blushed like a fool.

"Is that it?" she asked, grinning at him. Astrid readjusted her grip on his shoulder, enjoying the expensive material of his suit. "Not so bad?"

He seemed to think over her words. Then he said, "Payback for the I look great comment earlier."

Astrid gasped, playfully gripping him a little harder so as to show her offence. "You do—look great, I mean. You... you always do," she sighed, hating how she gave in to him. He wanted to hear what she thought, she knew he did, and she would've told him ten times over if he needed.

Harry swept her off her feet then. Literally. And she almost screamed as he leaned her backwards, his body moulding to hers. She could feel the strength of his arm keep her close to him, with no possibility of her falling on her ass or cracking her head open. Harry's hair fell on his forehead and the vein, more towards the right side of his forehead, became more visible.

One of his hands slid down the side of her body until the warmth of his palm rested against her thigh. Without a moment of notice, he pulled on her leg and fitted it to his hip so Astrid remained balanced on one leg. Her arms clasped around his neck in fear of falling, even though she knew he would never let that happen.

And that thought... oh gods, that thought made her want to melt in his arms. Right then and there.

The movement only lasted a couple of seconds before he pulled them back up and she almost stepped on his feet. Smirking like he won, he lifted a hand to brush the hair sticking to her lips back from her face, causing the tips of his fingers to brush against her flushed skin. Astrid smiled, slightly breathless as her arms slid down to his shoulders, her right hand sneaking its way back into his grasp.

Astrid couldn't help but ask, "It works like a charm, doesn't it?"

Harry leaned down, closer, and his cheek touched hers and he went, "Hmm?" like he didn't understand. Playfulness hid in his green eyes, giving plenty of proof of him being, in fact, aware. "What? This?" he asked, squeezing her hand. "You tell me."

But she didn't.

Instead, she sighed dramatically and allowed him to twirl her around again just as the music came to an end. 

★ ★ ★

[A.N.]

[Happy Friday!] 

[They're on a date. And dancing. I think I'm incredibly jealous. Please see the photo below of the inspiration for that. I'm obsessed.] 

[Also. I can't believe we're 10 chapters in. Absolutely bonkers. I hope you're having fun!] 

[Don't forget to leave a little star and a comment if you feel like it!] 

[See you next week :).] 

[With love, B.]