Falling | h.s

thirty-two

JANIE'S POV

It's been twenty-two minutes since Harry fled the table to take a phone call. In those twenty-two minutes, I have been painfully aware of his absence. I couldn't help but feel like something was missing. 

I couldn't help but feel worried, too. It was unlike him to take a phone call during dinner. He usually kept his phone off, insisting on eating a meal without screens. Was it a family issue? He wouldn't have taken a work call in the middle of a meal. Especially when half of his co-workers were at his house as we speak. 

"Is he okay, do you think?" Rosie breaks my train of thought, practically reading my mind. 

"I was wondering the same thing," I agree with a concerned tone. We both look towards the screen door, trying to catch a glimpse of what he was doing. "He's been gone for a while."

"It's not like him to take a phone call during dinner," she adds, making me nod in agreement. 

"Should I go check on him? Make sure it's not a family emergency or anything?" I suggest. Rosie's eyes light up with excitement as she nods. I take that as the push I need as I stand up to go check on him. 

I couldn't help but feel like a girlfriend heading to console her boyfriend after a long day. 

Harry and I hadn't talked about it. Ever since our kiss, we had been teetering on a fine line between friends and more. Co-workers and lovers. We switched between holding each other at arm's length and holding each other closely. We were walking on eggshells and doing everything in our power to keep things as good as they were. And things really were good. They were really, really good. I don't think I've been this happy in my entire life. 

I cross the deck and slide the glass door open hesitantly and cautiously, unsure of what I'm about to walk into. The house was dead silent. My eyes scan the space, looking for any sign of Harry. 

"H?" I call out, peering into the kitchen. When I don't see him, I move deeper into the house, walking towards his study. I hear muffled voices, cursing, and his heavy footsteps within the room. With a gentle hand, I slowly open the door. 

His back is turned to me, tensed and angry. His head hung as he paces across the hardwood floors. I could hear his breathing, could sense how rapidly his heart was beating. 

"Camille, I'm serious..." he sighs furiously. I hear noises from the other end of the phone as he pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. 

"I'm not alone just because I'm not with you," he says firmly, anger clearly evident in his voice. 

"No. Do not call me that. I'm not your baby anymore," he scolds and I can practically see smoke rising from his ears. "Camille, do not call me baby again. Ever." I take another step forward and the floorboard creaks under me. Harry turns suddenly, eyes wide and on fire. When he sees that it's me, I see his shoulders relax as he takes a deep breath. He pulls his lip between his teeth as he leans against his desk, eyes never leaving mine. 

"Why not?" He responds to Camille rhetorically, sounding shocked by whatever she said. His eyes flick up to mine as his chest falls and rises quickly. "There's someone else now." I feel every hair on my body standing up straight and goosebumps break out on my skin. His eyes are boring deeply into mine and I feel my breath hitch. There's someone else now. 

I hear noises on the other end of the phone again as Harry takes a staggering and slow deep breath. His brows are pulled so tightly together that I'm sure they're forming a new wrinkle. 

"This is it, Camille. I'm sorry. I know you're just trying to be friends but we're done," he replies with a shaking voice and all I want to do is wrap my arms around him. His eyes are trained on me, watching me intently as Camille responds on the other end of the phone.