𝕿he doorbell rings gaining Darlene's attention. She quickly abandons the cookie platter on the kitchen counter and hurries to answer the door.

Unlocking it and pulling it open leads to the blonde squealing with joy and jumping to lock her arms around the brunet's neck.

He laughs pushing her away earning an eye roll from the former.

"Move", he waves her off causing her to huff and allow him to enter the apartment.

She shuts the door behind him and follows him as he drops his bags down by the couch and walks into the kitchen.

Darlene picks up the cookie platter and resumes her work, the brunet taking a seat on the stool next to the counter.

"So how are you?", Darlene glances up from the cookie dough.

Tom sighs, "Tired, sleepy, everything along the lines of silently dying".

"Want anything to eat? I'm making cookies", she grins.

"It's eight pm, Dar. Shouldn't you be making dinner?", he chuckles leaning over to dip his finger in the cookie dough mixture.

She swats his hand away and frowns.

"Still have yesterday's take-out leftovers", she shrugs.

"Hmm. I talked to Mia".

She throws a glance over her shoulder as she goes to place the cookie platter in the microwave.

"And?".

"She said you ditched her for someone else".

Darlene exhales turning to face him, clutching the marble counter and leaning forward with squinted eyes.

"What are you trying to say?", she raises a brow.

"She said it was a friend. You don't have any friends, Dar", Tom tilts his head.

Darlene pulls back offended, a dramatic gasp leaving her lips.

"I have friends", she scowls.

He rolls his eyes, a playful smile teasing his lips.

"Oh, yeah? Who?".

Darlene seems conflicted, her lips pursing as she tries to come up with a legitimate answer.

"Well, I have you", she points at him which makes him nod with a small "uh-huh".

"I have......Nailea", she crosses her arms.

"And?".

Tom's self satisfactory smile has her wanting to slap the smile off his face.

She knows what he's trying to get at, she knows that he's trying to pry and despite her reluctance to tell him what he's waiting for she knows she won't be able to hold off much longer.

"Who is it?", he leans his head against his hand, the smile firm on his face.

Darlene chews on her lip trying to find excuses to stall.

But she knows he'll get it out of her no matter what.

"Harry", she mutters under her breath.

"What was that? Harry? Harry who?", Tom perks up in interest.

She lets out a loud sigh, "Harry Styles".

"Wait, what? Harry Styles? You're shitting me", his eyes widen.

"No, I am not", she rolls her eyes.

"I'm guessing Mia doesn't know", he stifles a laugh.

"No", Darlene giggles.

"How'd you two even meet?", he asks baffled as to how Darlene came across Harry Styles since she's not even a fan and perhaps one of the most antisocial people he knows.

"At a bar in LA. It's a long story, bottom line is, he's actually really nice".

The look in her eye softens his smile. The sheer adoring glow of it makes him smile even wider.

Because this is the first time in years that he's seen her talking about someone like this.

Her eyes are twinkling and that's basically what gives her away.

"Tell me more", he smiles a curious smile.

instagram stories !

𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁
30 𝗆

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i went thru so many toddler pics on pinterest that i want a baby now. help. me.