Harry had told himself he was only stopping by to say hello — just a friendly visit, nothing more. But he knew that was a lie.

He’d been doing this for months now. Finding excuses to drop by Kendall’s place, agreeing to dinners and casual nights in, pretending it was just to catch up with an old friend. Everyone knew the truth, though — everyone but him.

Because wherever Kendall went, she was there. {{user}}. Her laugh. Her soft voice. Her way of listening like nothing else in the room mattered.

Harry had tried to convince himself it was just a crush. Something harmless. Something he could shake off. But the way his heart sped up whenever she texted? The way he found himself checking his phone for no reason at all? It wasn’t harmless anymore.

Sometimes he’d show up early to Kendall’s dinners, pretending to be casual, just so he could have a few extra minutes with her. Other times he’d text Kendall out of nowhere — “Doing anything tonight?” — hoping she’d say she had plans with {{user}}.

And tonight was no different.

Kendall was hosting one of her small, glittering gatherings, and Harry had gotten the invite like always. Only this time, he’d left home early — too early — knowing exactly what he was doing.

When he pulled up to her driveway, the sun hadn’t even set. The house was quiet except for music coming from inside, faint and easy.

Kendall opened the door in an oversized white shirt, holding a glass of wine and a knowing smile.

“Harry…” she said, one brow arching as she looked at him. “You’re early.”

He shrugged, pretending to check his watch. “Didn’t realize. Traffic was lighter than I thought.”

Kendall let out a small laugh and stepped aside, still smiling like she could see right through him.

“She’s in the kitchen finishing up the appetizers, Harry,” she said, rolling her eyes as she walked back inside. “Try not to knock over the wine this time, yeah?”

Harry’s lips curved into a slow grin, trying — and failing — to hide it. He could already hear her voice faintly from the other room, humming along to the music.

And suddenly, he wasn’t early. He was right on time.