The Wedding planner

2

Harry was prepared for his meeting with Miss Calder the next morning. Niall had prepared the conference room.

A pretty brunette walked in with an older couple. Harry smiled widely and shook their hands. The couple was her parents.
"Welcome, please, take a seat. Can I offer you something to drink?" Harry asked.

They all declined and sat down.
"So, why should we hire you?" Mr. Calder asked, getting straight to the point.

"I'm the best at what I do and I promise you that I would make your daughter's wedding day the best day of her life. I put together a slideshow of weddings I have planned in the past." Harry answered with confidence and pressed play on the movie.

He had put time and effort into turning his presentation into a beautiful and romantic movie, showing off breathtaking scenes and happy couples. When they were done watching Eleanor was smiling.
"You're hired!"

Niall let out a happy squeal and Harry gave him a warning look.
"Excellent! You won't be sorry. We're gonna plan your dream wedding. Everything will be perfect."

"I can't wait to tell Tommo, my fiance, that we finally have a wedding planner. He couldn't be here today but you'll meet him tomorrow. I have signed us up for dance classes. I expect you to be there." Eleanor answered.

"Of course." Harry replied.

Niall squealed and jumped around as soon as the Calders had left.
"You got it! Oh, my God! We need to celebrate after work."

"I can't. It's Thursday." Harry smiled.

"Really? Scrabble club? Can't you skip it?" Niall questioned.

"No, I love scrabble club and I'm expected." Harry smiled.

"It's a little weird mate. You play Scrabble every Thursday with a bunch of old people." Niall said.

"They're my friends, you know that. They're the first ones I got to know when I moved to London." Harry answered.

"Yeah, because you joined a Scrabble club! Seriously Harry. You're 26 years old! You could have joined any other club, like, with people your own age." Niall chuckled.

"But I love Scrabble!" Harry grinned.

"Fine. We'll celebrate tomorrow then. Now, tell me all about last night." Niall said and wiggled his eyebrows.

"I can't believe you ditched me like that!" Harry answered.

"Oh, well." Niall smirked.

"It was great! He's great." Harry smiled.

"And? Tell me about it!" Niall demanded.

"Not that much to tell. We talked and watched the movie and then we had that moment, you know, when you're about to kiss." Harry smiled.

"Did you?" Niall shouted excitedly.

"No. It started to rain and we ran to our cars." Harry laughed.

"Typical. So, when are you gonna see him again?" Niall asked.

"Ehm, I don't know. We didn't exchange numbers." Harry sighed.

"Why not?" Niall wondered with a disappointed look on his face.

Harry just shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm sure he'll contact you somehow. Otherwise, you'll just have to pay him a visit at work." Niall comforted.

"Yeah." Harry replied. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about Louis.

When he arrived at the center later that afternoon his game buddies, Ruth, Charles, and Carl seemed oddly cheerful. They were all over their 70's and they treated him like a grandson.
"Harry!" Ruth shouted and hugged him.

Harry hugged them all before he took a seat at their usual table.
"Hi guys, how are you? You seem happy today." He smiled.

"We found you a husband!" Charles shouted.

"A what now?" Harry asked baffle mounted.

"A husband. We know how much you want to get married and have children and we would like to see that before we die." Carl answered.

"So you're marrying me off to a stranger?" Harry asked in amusement. He was moved but it was still crazy.

"He's perfect! Such a lovely young man." Ruth cooed.

"That's really sweet of you but..ehm..." Harry smiled.

"Just wait until you meet him." Charles said and got up.

"He's here? Oh, great." Harry mumbled.

Charles came back with a man by his side.
"Harry, this is Zayn."

Well, this was awkward. Harry got up and shook Zayn's hand.
"I'm sorry about this. I moved in next to Ruth last week and she's one sweet but persistent old lady." Zayn smiled.

"Look at them together. What a handsome couple. Their children will be gorgeous." Ruth sighed happily.

Harry rolled his eyes.
"I'm sorry to burst your bubble but I can't get pregnant Ruthie."

Ruth giggled.
"Silly Harry. I know that!"

"Right, let's just play some Scrabble." Harry said and Zayn joined them at the table.

They spent the next hour playing the board game and Harry won. Ruth, Charlie, and Carl wouldn't stop talking about him and Zayn as a couple, telling them fun facts about each other. Harry let them, knowing they only meant well. He loved them for their openness. They hadn't even batted an eyelid when he told them that he was gay years ago. They had just asked him if he was dating someone at the moment and wanted to make sure that someone treated him well and made him happy. That hadn't been the case but that was a long time ago. He was over Nate.

He said goodbye to his friends and turned to Zayn.
"It was nice to meet you."

"You too. Can I take you out for coffee sometime?" Zayn asked.

"Ehm, I'm not really looking for a date despite what these three believe." Harry answered awkwardly.

"It doesn't have to be a date, Harry. I'm new to this town and you seem like a nice guy." Zayn replied.

Now Harry felt stupid.
"I'd love to go out for a friendly coffee. Let me give you my number."

They exchanged numbers while the three elders held a whispering conversation.
"Look, they're hitting it off!"

"I knew they would like each other."

"I can't wait for the wedding."

Harry chuckled and went over to hug them.
"I love you so much but you have to stop this. Okay?"

He went home to get some sleep before work.