You Again [h.s]

26. Fake Boyfriend

"Happy birthday El" Harry holds up his glass of red wine and taps it onto mine. We both take a sip of the expensive drop and I close my eyes as I taste the admirable drink.

"Mm, it's so nice." I say to Harry and he nods his head in agreement. "I do mean it Harry when I say I appreciate everything you've done for me. No one has ever gone to this much effort for me." I place my hand on his which is across the table from me.

He smiles. "You're a special girl who deserves to be treated nicely for once in her life." He takes another sip of his wine. "I honestly thought you would stand me up."

"Why would I stand you up?"

"I thought you were still pissed at me for being controlling." He uses air quotes as he says the word controlling.

"I almost forgot about that." I laugh to myself. "We do need to talk about that though." I say and Harry cringes.

"Do we have to?"

"Yes Harry." I nod my head. "We do."

"I don't mean to be controlling. I just want to spoil you. You have to remember it's just been me by myself a very long time and I'm not use to having a girlfri- female friend around and I just want to make you happy. That's all." My stomach turns as he almost lets the word slip. Was he about to refer to me as his girlfriend?

"Harry." I smile across at him cheekily. "Did you just say what I think you were going to say?" I can't help myself but ask.

"What?" A healthy pink arises to his cheeks.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but you almost referred to me as your girlfriend." His body tenses as the words leave my lips.

"It was a silly mistake. I already told you when I first met you. I'm not one to date."

"Oh yeah, I forgot you're a one night stand kind of guy." I say angrily and Harry notices my negative tone.

"It's not like that Elouise." Harry places his hand on my thigh under the table. I slide my leg away and Harry sighs. A waitress brings us our order and her breasts almost fall out of her low cut black t shirt. Harry looks then looks away uncomfortably, coughing awkwardly to himself.

"Thank you." He says to her. "Thanks" I also say but she turns to Harry and sends him her fakest smile. "You're welcome."

*

"Is your lamb nice?" Harry asks me in attempt to start conversation. We've been eating in silence for fifteen minutes. No noise from our table besides the clashing of knives and forks on out plates and occasional obnoxious chewing.

"Yes." Is all I say and he chuckles.

"Come on El. It's your birthday please don't stay mad at me." He says and once again I don't reply. "Are you finished?" He asks once I have my last mouthful of mashed potato and gravy and I nod my head. I skull the rest of my wine as I'm going to need it for the drive home in whatever sort of transport Harry has organised for us.

*

Harry and I argue over who's going to pay and I knew he would never give in so I decide I'll leave a few cash notes in his jacket pocket without him knowing its from me. We are walking outside along a pier when I shiver from the breeze. I didn't bring a coat as I didn't need it earlier on. Harry notices me shivering and immediately takes off his blazer.