If I'd had a penny for every time my heart had pounded over this last week I'd be filthy rich by now. I stared down at the notification on my screen and decided to wait until I was safely at my desk before I read it, to avoid injuring myself or others. I paid for my lunch and literally ran back to the office, dodging pedestrians and pushchairs, fully aware of how ridiculous I must have looked. I raced through reception and sped to my desk, flopping down on my chair and pulling my phone out of my bag with trembling hands. I took a deep breath and opened up the message.

From: Harry Styles: Hey Jess. Don't suppose you're free for a coffee after work? x

I had to hand it to him. Full marks for being breezy. But I didn't understand. They were leaving for the airport at teatime. What was going on?

To: Harry Styles: Don't you have a flight to catch this evening? x

From: Harry Styles: I'm getting picked up at 6. I could meet you outside your office at 5? x

To: Harry Styles: Ok, sure x

From: Harry Styles: Great. See you then x

Christ. I hadn't been expecting this at all. Why did he want to see me? I honestly couldn't think up an explanation for this. I needed Callie, but I hadn't had chance to fill her in on last night's date yet, as I was supposed to be seeing her tonight.

I ripped open my sandwich and started to eat, staring into space. I was startled when Gary perched on the corner of my desk. "What are you daydreaming about?" he asked. "Or rather, who? I hope he's hot."

"Does Laura know you're gay?" I teased him. Laura was his long suffering girlfriend who we all agreed, including Gary, must have the patience of a saint.

Gary laughed. "I am the definition of masculinity," he said cockily.

"Yeah right," I teased.

"Anyway she's been stressy all week," he moaned.

"I'd be stressed too, putting up with you," I told him. "The poor girl deserves a medal."

"Well, no need to take it out on me," he muttered. I looked at him curiously. It wasn't like Gary to be serious, or miserable.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"Yeah, just hit a rocky patch," he said glumly. "I'm sure it'll work itself out."

"Aww," I said, sympathetically. "I'm sure it will too. You're a cute couple. Even if one of you hangs out in the closet most of the time," I added, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hey, don't speak about Laura like that," he teased. "I'll be forced to defend her honour!" I laughed. "Anyway," he continued, "don't change the subject. You've been on another planet this week. What's up?"

I sighed. "Nothing. At least, nothing I can really talk about. I'm fine, honestly."

He looked at me intently. "So there is something?"

"Kind of," I admitted. "But I'm alright. Sorry if I've been off with the fairies. I'll be fine by Monday, I promise."

"Ok," he said, standing up. "But seriously, Jess, if you need to talk, I'm here. I know I take the piss most of the time but you're my friend and I don't want you to be upset. And you're my work wife, so it's kind of my duty to make sure you're ok."

"Thanks Gary," I smiled. "I'll bear that in mind."

He squeezed my shoulder and got up from my desk, and went to finish his lunch. I felt bad that I'd ignored everyone this week, and made a mental note to snap out of my bubble next week. But right now I had another mini-date with Harry to stress about. I glanced at the clock. It was only 12.30. I had four and a half hours to get through. I wasn't sure my nerves would stand it...

I actually checked the clock was working twice that afternoon because it seemed to be going so slowly. I tried to keep busy but I couldn't concentrate on anything due to the butterflies dancing a permanent jig in my tummy. By 4.45 I was feeling physically sick, so I grabbed my bag and headed to the toilets to check my makeup. I reapplied some lipgloss and another coat of mascara, and quickly brushed my ponytail. I took a shaky breath and wandered back to my desk. Sarah looked up as I walked past.

"Fox alert!" She called. "What's with the makeup?"

Oh shit. "What do you mean?" I asked, stalling while I scrambled for an explanation in my head.

"You've applied lipgloss and mascara. Oh my God are you meeting someone after work?!"

Seriously, she should be a private investigator or something. "No," I lied. "I just caught sight of myself and realised I looked like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards."

"Bollocks," Sarah replied. "Where are you meeting him?"

I was panicking now. "I'm not meeting anyone!" I insisted. The clock read 16.59. I was going to have to make a quick dash for it at 5 to avoid the questions. I picked up my phone and went into my conversation with Harry. Where are you? I typed, hoping he would be waiting in the car so we could dash off. The clock changed to 17.00 and I pulled on my coat and picked up my bag. Sarah also stood up.

"Not so fast," she grinned.

"Sorry, I've got to run," I said, hoping she'd take the hint as I scurried through reception, but she was hot on my heels.

"Why so coy, Jess?" she teased as I hurried down the steps, frantically looking up and down the street for Harry's Range Rover.

"I'm just in a hurry," I muttered.

"I gathered," she said, as I turned onto the pavement and bumped into someone standing on the corner.

"S-sorry!" I stammered, still looking around for the car.

"Good job I wasn't holding a drink," a familiar voice said.

I looked up into the eyes of none other than Harry Styles, who was wearing a pair of sunglasses and a sexy smile. My stomach flipped and my heart beat even faster. I swallowed nervously, unable to pull my eyes away from his.

"Oh my Styles," breathed Sarah's voice behind me. I closed my eyes briefly and gave Harry a resigned smile. He grinned.

I cleared my throat. "Sarah, this is Harry. Harry, Sarah."

"Hi Sarah," Harry said, holding out his hand.

"Hi," she replied, shaking his hand and turning to me with her mouth hanging open. "What the fuck, Jess?"

"Sarah, I really need you to not draw attention to us," I pleaded. "I promise I will explain on Monday but please, please will you keep this to yourself? Please?"

Sarah must have heard the urgency in my voice, because she nodded wordlessly, looking back and forth between me and Harry.

"Thanks," I smiled gratefully. "Let's go," I said to Harry. "See you Monday, Sarah," I called over my shoulder as we began to walk down the street. Sarah just stood there staring after us.

"I take it that's the other fan," Harry said as we walked.

"Yeah, sorry about that. She cornered me as I was leaving. I didn't tell her anything," I said, hastily.

"Yeah I figured that out," he smiled.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Costa?" he suggested, indicating to the one across the road.

"Isn't it a bit too public?" I asked.

"I'll sit in the corner and face the wall," he said, looking both ways and crossing the street.

"Why, have you been naughty?" I asked, before I could stop myself, and laughed at my own silly joke. He laughed too, and we walked through the door of Costa. "You sit down, I'll get these," I said. "I'm not arguing!" I said forcefully as he opened his mouth to protest. He shut his mouth again and nodded, and made his way to the back corner. He took a seat facing into the corner with his back to everyone.

It was pretty quiet, and I didn't have long to wait to be served. I took the drinks over to our table and sat down opposite him. "So," I said. "This was a bit of a surprise."

He smiled. "Really?"

"Well... yeah," I said, shifting in my chair. "Considering you're leaving in an hour to go on tour for a month. I wasn't expecting to see you again."

"You said that last time," he pointed out.

"It was true then as well," I said.

He didn't say anything, but opened a sachet of sugar and poured it into his drink. He picked up a little wooden stirrer and stirred the coffee thoughtfully. "You're not a typical fan," he said finally, staring down at his mug.

"Ummm... ok," I said. "I know I'm a bit older than most..."

"No I don't mean that," he said. I looked at him. "You don't seem bothered by who I am. You haven't asked much about the band, or my famous friends, or the whole celebrity thing." I wasn't sure if this was a bad thing, so I didn't say anything. "I can't figure you out," he said. "I know you don't do clingy, but I still don't know if you're even interested. And...," he hesitated, "..and that makes me interested." I still didn't know what to say. "You've kept me on my toes since the minute we met. No one has done that since... well, no one's ever done that."

"I guess not many women turn you down," I said, finally finding my voice. "You could have anyone you want."

"Could I, though?" he said, looking at me.

"Um, if you're referring to me, you already did," I reminded him. "Five times at last count." Shut up, Jess, I thought to myself.

He chuckled. "That's sort of the reason I wanted to meet up with you now," he said.

My eyes widened. "What, here?!" I said, looking at him in a mixture of shock and disgust.

"Oh God, no," he said hastily, holding his hands up. "I didn't mean that!"

"What did you mean then?" I asked. He was confusing me now.

"I didn't want you to think that's all it was for me," he said, looking down at his drink again. "I realised this morning that the only times we've been together we've ended up..." he paused.

"Having a great time?" I suggested.

"Well yeah, but..." he paused again. "Look, I don't want you to think I was just using you," he said. "I wanted to meet up again to show you that I actually like hanging out with you, and it's not just about... what we can do in the bedroom."

"Or the kitchen," I reminded him. Seriously Jess, shut up, I told myself.

He chuckled and looked me in the eyes. "See? You don't go all melty and giggly, you just fire something right back at me," he said. "I really like that."

"Are you joking?" I murmured. He looked at me questioningly. "You think I don't melt inside when you look at me?" I breathed. "I'm a mess, Harry. But not because you're Harry Styles from One Direction. Well, ok, maybe partly because of that, but mostly because of the chemistry I feel around you. You make my heart pound and my legs go to jelly. You're hot. And I definitely need that mute button," I finished, feeling the heat return to my face.

He smirked. "I'm hot, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't pretend you don't know it."

He grinned. "I don't know that you think it," he said.

"Were you not listening to me just then?" I demanded. "Because I'm not saying it again."

"You're really sexy when you're cross," he remarked cheekily.

"Don't go saying things like that," I said, looking around self-consciously.

'Why not? No one's listening," he said, looking over his shoulder.

A girl sitting a couple of tables away suddenly gasped. "Oh my God, it's Harry Styles!"

-----**********-----

Don't forget to vote and comment! Thanks :)