When I call Harry and let him know that I don't need a ride home from work, he's more than concerned. He insists on bringing me, but I vaguely explain that I have an errand to run and a friend who's willing to carpool. I leave out the details, hoping he won't be too pissed when I show up with Drew.

"So, will your man be upset that I'm driving you home?" Drew teases, but I can sense the nervousness in his voice. It wasn't that long ago that his nose took a dramatic hit from Harry's fist. I'm sure the memory still haunts him. 

A hand waving in my face breaks me out of my thoughts. 

"Where's your head at?" He asks, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. I apologize and begin to direct him to my place, realizing he has no idea where I live. 

After what seems like hours in a comfortable silence, we finally pull up into the complex and walk out. It's a little weird for Drew to not open the door for me, but I guess that's a boyfriend's job, which he's not anymore.

"Honey, I'm home!" I dramatically call out as I open the front door. Both my best friend and boyfriend run out of their rooms and come to me. I laugh at their eagerness, finding it adorable. 

Both stop in their tracks when they see the company I've brought. Audrey gasps in disbelief, gawking at him. 

"Drew," Harry growls, not even noticing me. I figured this would happen, but I was hoping he'd be on his best behavior. 

"Hey guys," Drew awkwardly stands in the doorway. I pull him inside and close the door behind him. "Hey Audrey," he mumbles, looking everywhere but her. Both of them are just as awkward in each other's company and I inwardly facepalm. 

This is going to be harder than I thought.

"What's he doing here?" Harry harshly whispers in my ear as he protectively wraps an arm around me. I swat him away and focus on my friends. Tonight is their night, no drama.

"Hi, Drew. Um, surprised to see you here." Audrey mumbles, tucking her hair behind her ear. I haven't seen her this shy since... well, ever. She's always been the confident one in our friendship. 

"Okay," I clap my hands, trying to break the tension. "Why don't we watch a movie or something?"

Everyone nods and heads to the living room. When they're out of earshot, Harry pulls me back. 

"What's going on in that little mind of yours? Is he why you didn't want me to drive you home?" His tone is harsh, but I can tell he's trying to maintain his composure and not lash out.

Character development! 

"Yes, Harry, I came home with my best friend's soulmate so I can help them date," I whisper back, equally as harsh. This unspoken feud between them is starting to get on my nerves, especially because it's one-sided. Sometimes, it's exhausting having to remind Harry that I'm his.

His jaw relaxes and he grabs my hand, bringing it up to his lips and planting a small kiss before leading me to the living room. Audrey and Drew are both awkwardly standing around, probably deciding where to sit without making it awkward. 

"Harry and I'll sit on the chair. You guys can take the couch," I smile. Harry smirks, knowing that means I'll be sitting in his lap. He's lucky I don't get easily embarrassed anymore, or he'd be sitting on the floor. 

It's all part of the plan. First, I pull out two throw blankets. I apologize, saying this is all we have. Then, I put on a horror movie. Even though they're three feet apart, Audrey is bound to snuggle into him. 

I'm a genius, I know.

"Alright, I'm going to make some popcorn and grab some blankets. I'll be back," I smile and walk to the kitchen. I'm a little nervous to keep Harry and Drew in the same room, but I trust they'll behave.

After I have everything, I head back to the room. I place the popcorn bowls on the coffee table. A small smile lingers as I realize everyone's alive. 

"Sorry, I could only find two blankets," I fake an apologetic look. "Harry and I'll share one, you guys can decide who gets that one." I grab one of the blankets and toss the other in their general direction. I plop down on Harry's lap, much to his amusement. The popcorn bowl rests in my lap, and the blanket is wrapped around us both.

Before starting the movie, I glance over at the couple. The blanket awkwardly sits between them, neither making a move to grab it. Why can't either take the hint?

Even though I put a horror movie on for their sake, I find myself getting scared too. Every time a jumpscare pops up, I hide in Harry's shoulder. He finds amusement in me, chuckling every time. Deep down, I know he loves it. 

I'm so focused on the movie, I barely notice both of them. When my eyes glance over, I see they're sitting much closer, sharing the blanket. She also buries her head in Drew's shoulder when a jump scare happens.

I triumphantly smile, proud that my plan's actually working. 

"Is that why you brought him here?" Harry's raspy voice whispers in my ear. It sends shivers down my spine. I ignore the dirty thoughts swarming in my head. 

Instead of answering, I pull my focus back on the movie. I instantly regret it because a demon pops out and flinch, backing into him. 

"Fuck El," Harry groans. I worriedly look at him, thinking I accidentally hurt him. 

"What?" I shift so I can take a better look at his face.

"Stop," he growls, holding on to my waist to stop me from moving. I give him a confused look until I feel something growing against my leg, something that wasn't there before. 

I blush in embarrassment.

"Oh, jeez. Sorry," I whisper. 

I attempt to move back into my original position, but it makes it worse. 

"Jesus El, keep this up and I'll have to take you right now," he winces. A part of me knows he's teasing, but his eyes darken with lust, making my heart accelerate. 

Oh wow.

"Um, I just realized Harry and I need to call his mom, I promised her we would. I'll maybe be back," I rush out, getting up and pulling him with me. I stay as close as possible, hiding his very obvious erection. 

When we get to my room, the energy shifts. It's hot and heavy, and we haven't even touched yet. I close the door and Harry backs me into it.

"We need to call my mum?" He teases, putting both his hands around my head. 

I scrunch my nose. "Well, what else was I supposed to say?"

"You could have said..." He draws in closer, our lips almost touching.

He lingers, not making the first move. 

My eyes instinctively flutter closed. Before I can wait any longer, he pushes his lips into mine, ending the anticipation.

My heart beats so fast, I'm afraid I'll explode. 

His hands move from the door and travel up and down my body. I immediately go to his hair, tugging on the curls. "El," he moans. I push myself into him, making sure I grind myself on his member. "Fuck."

Without warning, he lifts me up. I wrap my legs around him, our lips never disconnecting. He leads me to the bed and gently lays me down. He hovers above me, staring.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

I nod in confirmation. That's all it takes. Both of our hands are on each other. Moving feverishly, we try to undo each other's clothes.

"Harry," I moan as his head dips between my legs. He plants kisses on my inner thigh, then goes to slide my underwear down. I anticipate his fingers, even his tongue. 

When it doesn't come, I lift my head to watch that he's doing. He's sitting up, staring into space.

"You okay?" I sit up and pull my underwear back on. 

What just happened? One minute, we're horny kids and now we're in a deep silence?

"Hey," I wrap my hand around his bicep. "What's going on?"

When his eyes snap to mine, I see pain. His eyes are no longer the lustful shade of green. "It's... stupid." He avoids my gaze and runs his hand through his hair. 

"What?" 

"Fuck, I'm sorry to just stop like this. I just...I feel weird."

Realization hits me. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry Harry. I didn't even think about that. Fuck fuck fuck," I hastily curse. I'm so insensitive. He's still dealing with his personal trauma and here I am, forcing myself on to him.

"No, I'm sorry. I just totally killed the mood," he defeatedly sighs, finally meeting my eyes. 

I retrain rolling my eyes. "Harry, your feelings are valid. You don't have to apologize for stopping, ever." I don't understand why he'd think I'd be pissed. He's always been considerate when it comes to sex, and I owe it to him to be the same. 

"I want you so bad Ellie, you have no idea. I just need some time." 

I empathetically nod. "Of course. Besides," I crawl across the bed to him. "We can still do this," I reach up and kiss him. 

His smile breaks through and he kisses me back, hard. "You're amazing," he says once we part.

"I'm so lucky to have you," I grin and mean it. He's amazing and I can't even compare to him. Fate really helped me out with this. 

"We should probably go back out there," I sigh. Harry nods in agreement. He gets up and grabs my hand, almost leading me out of the room. "Feeling a breeze?" I tease, looking at his pantless legs.

He sheepishly laughs and then pulls his jeans up. When we tiptoe back into the living room, hoping not to disturb the couple. 

My eyes widen when I see both of then. Sleeping. In the middle of a horror movie.

Audrey's head is resting on Drew's shoulder, and his head is resting on top of hers. 

It's truly a sight.

Harry doesn't seem to notice them and opens his mouth to speak. Before words can come out, I cover his mouth and drag him back into the room. He licks my palm as soon as I close the door. I cringe and wipe it against his shirt. 

"My plan worked," I smile. 

"I knew you were up to no good," he smugly smiles. 

"What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic," I shrug, looking for a set of pajamas. He tosses his t-shirt at me and I grab it with a grin. When he's turned away, I inhale his intoxicating scent and pull it over my head. 

I slip into bed and feel it dip. Harry pulls me into his chest, my back facing him.

"I'm sorry," he whispers in my hair. 

I turn around to face him. "Please stop apologizing. I'm serious. Take some time, okay? We're boycotting sex until you feel better." And I mean it. It hurts that he's feeling like this and I want to make him as comfortable as possible as he deals. 

He chuckles at my choice of words, which causes me to bury my head into his chest. 

"Shut up," I mumble, embarrassed.

"You're too damn cute."