Let's Pretend It's Love

It seemed like forever and a day since I’d taken the dreaded walk of shame. Nothing was worse than walking through the streets of London on a Sunday afternoon in with a pounding headache, disheveled hair and smeared make up, a neck full of love bites and a dress far too wrinkled and short for the Sabbath. Nothing however could compare to how stupid I felt when I arrived at my flat only to discover that I’d left my keys and mobile with the last person I wanted to see right now.

Everything I did lately led to seemed to lead to some curly haired idiot with a crooked grin. It’s like I couldn’t avoid him no matter how hard I tried. I wasn’t going to catch a break now that he’d agreed to join the wedding party and I was pretty certain he’d continue to visit the shop. It was almost like my life was slowly becoming a sitcom where Harry was the star and I was the butt of all the jokes.

I wasn’t too thrilled to have to ask my landlady for a spare key to my flat, trying hard to dodge her judgemental stares or to spend all Sunday in bed nursing a hangover but that was only the beginning. The rest of my week seemed to take a downward spiral. Ollie had ripped most of the toilet paper to shreds, the heating system in my flat building was starting to act funny when it was getting cold outside and without a phone I was isolated from the rest of the world. All thanks to Harry. It was like some kind of morbid karma. I was a good person. I often tipped bar tenders and delivery guys who were fairly attractive and gave left over take out to stray cats when I took out my rubbish. I deserve none of this!

It was Saturday and business at the shop was unusually hectic. As if my luck couldn’t get any worse Jessa was away on a family vacation. Perhaps it was a good thing that I had no mobile at this time because I’m certain I’d be calling Jess every hour on the hour. At the moment I was currently trying not to loose my patience with a rather elderly customer who was looking for a gift for her dear husband.

“Do you know what style he likes?” I asked in desperation silently praying that she would make up her mind.

“He likes brown. There’s quite a bit of it in his shoe closet.”

I nodded bitting back a sigh whilst taking my lip between my teeth. “Perhaps he’d like a nice leather belt? Maybe with an engraving, yeah?” I asked. The woman pursed her lips.

“Shoes. I’m certain he’ll want shoes.” She replied.

I’m dying on the inside. I honestly can’t wait for this week to be over.

Just as I was about to review our shoe selection with the elderly customer for about a third time, the brass bell of the shop echoed in my ears. Not another customer. Not right now. “Welcome to Darby’s Leather.” I greeted trying my best to sound enthusiastic as I turned to around ready to conduct more business. But as soon as I laid eyes on the customer the annoyance I was feeling turned into pure anger. He flashed is cheeky grin at me. If looks could kill, Harry Styles was a dead man.

“Why don’t you have another look while I go see what this gentleman needs? I’ll be right back.” I announced to the lady not even giving her a chance to respond before I marched over to Harry. His hair was up in a neat bun and surprisingly he chose to keep it simple with a gray jumper. Maybe he wants to be buried in conservative clothes.

“Styles, I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Hello, Presley. Alright today?” He asked politely showing off one of his dimples.

“Cut the bull, Harry. You have something that belongs to me.” I replied folding my arms over my chest. Harry’s eyebrows furrowed but the smirk never left his face.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about, love. Is Jessamine here?” He replied completely brushing off my last statement.

I scoffed. “Don’t try and use Jess as a distraction. You have my mobile and I want it back, Harry!” I hissed. That little crease that I’d become familiar with formed between his brows and he sighed.

“Honestly, I don’t know what you’re talking about. You seem a little stressed, Pres. We can talk about it if you want.” Harry replied whilst reaching over and placing a large hand on my shoulder. My level of anger just went from about 50 to 100 in .5 seconds. In the past month or so I’d learned a lot of different things about Harry. Now I’d learned how much of an annoying twat he could be.

“You can help me. I need a man’s taste.” I was so agitated with Harry I completely forgot about the poor old lady I was supposed to be helping. She tugged on Harry’s jumper, pulling his body in her direction.

“Absolutely.” Harry replied politely before sending me his crooked, dimpled grin. Sometimes I wish I could just slap that stupid Cheshire cat smile right off his face.

I watch as Harry chatted with the elderly customer, nodding politely and flashing his dimples. The woman smiled, seeming much more interested in what Harry was saying than anything I’d said to her all day. People seemed to be well receptive of Harry wherever he went. His aura was warm and seemed to draw them in. I couldn’t deny the fact that he was likable. Sometimes I felt drawn in by his natural charm but other times I couldn’t stand to be around him and wanted to steer completely clear of him. I didn’t know how to describe it.

Thanks to Harry the woman had finally come to a decision. She strutted to the cash register with a smile. “That young lad is so nice. Quite the gentlemen I must say.” She announced placing the box on the counter. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

“I reckon he’s alright.”

I stole a glance at Harry who stood in the corner sending me a small smile. I hope he doesn’t think that just because he helped me with a complicated customer he’s off my hit list. It isn’t exactly that easy.

“See you next time, Sara!” Harry exclaimed,waving to the woman as she gripped the box under her arm.

“Nice meeting you, Harry!” Now he’s on a first name basis with our customers. Am I the only one who’s not crazy about him?

“So, any plans for the day?” He asked sauntering over to the cash register and propping his elbows on the counter. I scoffed.

“We are not talking until you produce a mobile device. I’m just going to act like you’re not even here.” I folded my arms across my chest and turned my back to him, inspecting my fingernails.

“You know I’m far too good looking to just pretend I’m not there.” I could nearly hear the smile and feel the arrogance in his voice.

“I wonder where that noise is coming from?” I sneered. So he’s got dimples and nice green eyes. Big deal.

“I may just know where your phone is, but I can only locate it if you go grab lunch with me.” Harry announced. I spun around.

“What are you playing at, Styles?”

He grinned, a dimple denting his left cheek. “You’re hungry and cantankerous. I know you want your mobile. So, lunch?” The question loomed in the air.

“You’re picking up the tab.” I announced with a groan giving in.

*******

The cafe that Harry had chosen was buzzing, tea cups and saucers clanking against each other and the loud chatter of customers filled the air. The table we were sat at gave a nice view of Londoners and tourist activity, the stream of sunlight giving me a sense of warmth in the chill of the cafe. I might actually be enjoying myself if it weren’t for Harry who sat across from me childishly attempting to make a face on his plate with the chips I’d ordered and flirting with the waitress.

“Do you always play with your food?” I asked, annoyance in every syllable as I sipped my coffee. Harry looked up at me and grinned.

“No, but who can resist chip smiley faces? S'fun.” He replied.

I rolled my eyes before reaching over and snatching a chip that was supposed to be an eyebrow from Harry’s plate. I had yet to recieve my phone. I honestly felt he was stalling just to piss me off. For all I know he doesn’t even have it and it’s lost and some random stranger is reading my text messages and scrolling through my photos of Ollie. I’m so stupid for agreeing to this.

I dipped the chip in ketchup before popping the whole thing in my mouth. “Hey! You messed it up!” He scowled. “Suck it-” Before I could complete my sentence a pot of coffee was trust in my direction.

“More coffee?” Georgia, our waitress questioned sweetly.

I nodded, a blush creeping across my cheeks after realizing how inappropriate our conversation must have sounded thanks to me.

“See how bad she treats me?” Harry whined. I rolled my eyes. It was obvious he was flirting.

Georgia was pretty with big brown eyes that sort of reminded me of Penny’s, jet black hair and rosy cheeks. She may have been Harry’s type, I didn’t know what his type was and neither did I care. I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable with his flirting, me sitting there like a third wheel. It didn’t help that he sucked at it either.

Georgia chuckled whilst filling my cup. “Girlfriends do that sometimes, yeah?” A wide smirk settled on Harry’s face.

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

A slow smile crept across the waitress’s face. “I’ll come back to check on you lot in a bit.” She declared simply, turning on her heel and gripping tightly to the coffee pot.

“She’s kind of hot, don’t cha think?” Harry asked once once Georgia was out of earshot.

i chortled. “I dunno, you tell me. I’m not exactly into girls.” I replied sarcastically.

“Right. Might ask her out. After all you suggested we see other people, yeah?” He went back to do whatever he was doing with his chips. I couldn’t help but feel sort of attacked. Like he was taking my words and using them against me.

“Yeah, and?”

“How was your night with that bloke at the club? What was his name again?” Harry interrogated a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. I think I get where he’s going with this. He’s mad at me for lashing out and embarrassing him at the bar .This is all Harry’s twisted version of pay back. I reckon he’s expecting my to apologize but as cocky as he’s been today I’m not sure if he deserves it or not.

“That is not up for discussion, Harry.”

If some one paid me a million pounds I still couldn’t tell you the name of the guy I’d gone home with. There was absolutely no way I was giving Harry the satisfaction of knowing that.

His eyebrows rose. “That can only mean two things: either it was so good you can’t remember or so bad you had to forget.” I nearly choked on my coffee. Thank God for good reflexes. I was far too drunk to remember what my encounter was like but I wouldn’t be surprised if it had fallen in the latter category. I’d never let him know that. I glared at Harry over the brim of my mug. He chuckled.

“You’re fun to mess with, Presley.”

I simply shook my head whilst gripping onto my mug, choosing to take the high road.

“Do you all need anything else? Perhaps a dessert, yeah?” Georgia had reappeared, smiling widely as she tucked a pencil behind her ear. I assume she needed a moment to collect herself after finding out that Harry was single.

Yes, I’d like one of your sharpest kitchen knives, please.

Harry smiled, showing off his dimples. “ Tell me, are all the desserts on the menu as sweet as you?” He asked. I wanted to laugh but I was too annoyed to. No wonder why he’s single. He has the worst pick up lines ever.

I watched as a blush creeped over Georgia’s cheeks making them even rosier. “You’d have to taste them for yourself.” She replied sheepishly.

I’d love to.“ He smirked.

I rolled my eyes. "Just the check, please.” I still didn’t have my phone and I was getting increasingly irritable.

“Oh, of course. Be right back.” Georgia scurried away from the table and I didn’t hesitate to send a glare in Harry’s direction.

“You’re a total bell-end, you know that?” I declared. He shrugged.

“Makes me more attractive, I reckon.”

I giggled. “Remind me to never agree to go anywhere else alone with you.” I reached over and snatched another chip from his plate.

“I kinda think you’re stuck with me, love.”

As annoying as Harry could get there were always those moments when he at least cracked a smile out of me.

“Here’s your tab.” Georgia announced returning once more, laying the black checkbook on our table.

“Thanks.” I murmured softly before she walked away. Harry opened the checkbook and his lips curved into a slow smile.

“Lemme guess, she gave you a discount because the thought you were cute?”

He shook his head. “Even better. Gave me her number.” He replied.

“Proper. So now that you’ve scored a date how about you give me my mobile . I know you have it, Harry.” I replied surprisingly calmly. All the frustration I’d been feeling before suddenly draining from me.

Harry sighed. “I reckon I’ve tortured you enough. ” He reached into his jacket pocket before retrieving a pair of keys and a phone, placing them in front of me. I feverishly unlocked my cell and my eyes widened at the number of messages and missed calls I’d received in the past week.

“Holy shit, Harry. Why didn’t you give me this sooner? I’ve got so many missed calls! I bet people think I’m dead!”

“So, we’re even now?” His green eyes met mine.

Even? Something about his word made me boil inside. I tossed my mobile andkeys in my handbag with a huff. “Whatever even means to you, then yeah.” I replied.

Harry smiled. “Sure you don’t dessert? We can split it?”

I shook my head. “I have to get home and return all these missed calls. Thanks a lot, Styles.” I replied standing up from my chair.

“Anytime.”