It's been a month since I lost my mom. Some days, the grief is a dull ache; other days, it's a sharp stabs that catches me off guard. But somehow, life in New York is moving forward. Harry and I have become… close.
I'm not sure how it happened, but the garden has become our sanctuary. We chat, we share silences, and against my better judgment, I can feel myself developing feelings for him. It's terrifying and thrilling all at once.
After school, we all decided to meet at an upscale bistro in the city. Logan, Brianna, and I were the first to arrive, tucked into a velvet booth.
"So Andy," Brianna said, swirling her straw. "Which colleges are you looking at? Applications open soon."
"I don't know yet," I admitted. Everything in my life had been a blur lately. "What about you?"
"Somewhere in New York," she replied firmly. "I'm not leaving this city."
We talked until the rest of the guys arrived. The moment they stepped through the door, the atmosphere in the restaurant shifted. People actually stopped eating to look at them. They moved with the kind of casual arrogance that only comes from extreme wealth. I tried to keep my eyes off Harry, but it was impossible.
Harry slid into the seat directly opposite me. Benjamin sat beside him, his face set in his usual stony mask. I'm convinced Benjamin hates me; he hasn't smiled or spoken a single word to me since I arrived.
I ordered a mango milkshake and a cheeseburger, trying to focus on my food as Harry and I exchanged occasional, lingering glances across the table. Noah spent most of the lunch talking about the party he was hosting on Saturday. I usually hate parties—the noise, the crowds, the fake smiles—but when I looked at Harry, I saw him watching me, waiting for my reaction.
As I stood outside waiting for James to pick me up, Harry appeared at my side. The cool evening air smelled like his expensive cologne and a hint of tobacco.
"I saw your face when Noah mentioned the party," he said, his voice low. "You're coming, right?"
"I don't think so," I said, offering a small smile as the SUV pulled up. "Not really my scene."
"Nah." He stepped closer, blocking the wind. "I want you to be there. Seriously, Andrea. It'll be fun."
"I'll think about it," I replied.
As I reached for the car door, he beat me to it, holding it open with a smirk. A gentleman, I thought, surprised. He gave me a final wave as we pulled away, and I knew right then that I was going to that party.
Saturday was a double-edged sword. First, a formal dinner with my father at seven; then, the party at ten. The dinner had a specific purpose: Dad was finally introducing me to his girlfriend.
I chose a peach pleated gown that made me feel more like a Lombardi and less like a grieving girl from London. I pulled my hair into a sleek ponytail and kept my makeup light. When I arrived at Bella Vita, the restaurant was glowing with candlelight and elegance.
I spotted my dad immediately. Sitting next to him was a woman who looked like she'd just stepped off a Parisian runway. She was stunning. Dad stood up, kissed my forehead, and pulled out my chair.
"You must be Andrea. I'm Layla," she said. Her voice was like silk. "You're even prettier than your father described."
"And you're the 'special someone,'" I replied with a smile. "It's nice to finally meet you."
The dinner was surprisingly easy. Layla was charming and kind, telling me about her two younger sisters who were my age. For the first time, the idea of my dad having a partner didn't feel like a betrayal to my mom; it just felt like life moving on.
After dinner, I lied to my dad and told him I was staying at Hailey's. I went home, swapped my gown for something more "party-ready," and met Hailey and Brianna at the estate.
Noah's house was less of a home and more of a palace. His parents were Hollywood royalty—actors and producers with their own studios—and the house reflected it. The air was vibrating with bass, and the scent of expensive tequila was everywhere. Brianna vanished almost instantly into Logan's arms.
"Lovebirds," Hailey sighed, rolling her eyes.
"So, what now?" I asked, feeling the familiar prickle of social anxiety.
"Now? We dance!" Hailey laughed, dragging me toward the crowded dance floor.
I danced with Hailey for a while, before harry came.
He practically held me and walked with me through out the party, dancing wasn't really his thing.
Monday morning, I dragged myself into school, still exhausted from the weekend. I greeted Brianna and Justin before catching up with Hailey by the lockers.
"So," Hailey said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I noticed you and Harry were pretty inseparable at the party."
I felt a blush creep up my neck. "We just spent some time together, Hails. We're friends."
"'Friends,'" she mimicked, making a face. Then her expression turned serious. "Look, Andrea, I love you. But I'm telling you as his sister—don't date him. If you roll with Harry, you're going to end up crying. He's… complicated."
I just nodded, though her words stayed heavy in my mind. Before break, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Harry: Meet me in the garden.
When I arrived, he was leaning against the stone wall, smoking. With his dark curls and stormy grey eyes, he looked like a character from a dark romance novel.
"Why do you smoke so much?" I asked, leaning against the bench.
"That's not your concern," he replied, his voice clipped.
I shrugged, pulling out my phone to ignore him.
"I want to take you somewhere Friday night," he said suddenly.
I looked up, my heart skipping. "Where?"
"You'll know when we get there."
"Is this a date?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood. "So, you and Arianna are officially over?"
His eyes darkened, and his jaw set. "That's also none of your business."
A flash of anger sparked in my chest. "Really? So everything is none of my business?" I snapped, gathering my bag. "Well, I'm not going anywhere with you on Friday night if you're going to be a jerk."
I turned on my heel and left him standing there in a cloud of smoke, my heart racing with a mix of fury and disappointment.