Cam 18- Damsels and debts


    I’m still just standing stunned in Harry’s arms hiding my face when I feel his hand stroke down my hair


    and over my spine stopping midway down my back and I swear my knees buckle. Harry whispers in my


    ear.


    “I’m happy to stay like this as long as you like and I’ll probably regret telling you this but he left.” Harry’s


    voice is teasing but gentle like he’s trying to rile me up but isn’tpletely convinced that it’s the right


    thing to do. I stay for a half second longer, take a deep breath, then step away


    away from Harry who lets his arms fall to his sides. I stare at him, not quite sure how to exin what


    just happened. Do I even need to exin? It felt pretty self exnatory. My family sucks, Simon is an


    asshole and I was desperate. He happened to be there and I knew he would be willing to help. But why


    did I assume he would be the one to help me? Just because he was the only one here? Or was there


    another reason? I suppose I trusted him. enough to know that he wouldn’t ditch me or make things


    worse, and I have to admit I was actually pretty angry when Simon insulted him, even though I’ve been


    guilty of simr thoughts about Incubi. Maybe I should try to go a little easier on him. After this can I


    really continue to argue that we aren’t friends?


    Not quite sure that I’m ready to answer the probably inevitable questions that Harry is going. toe


    up with, I swap back to my customer service bravado.


    “Well that was an adventure. I didn’t know you were such a good actor.” Ipliment him. See, I’m


    being nicer. I can totally do this, although it might take a while for me to fight my automatic reaction


    which at this point is to say something snarky or insulting to him and walk away. Harry narrows his eyes


    at me.


    “That was… actually nice of you to say. Usually you would just insist that I’m great at manipting


    people or something.” He considers for a moment before grinning at me, his smile makes him look


    even more attractive than usual and I have to force myself not to stare


    and maybe swoon.


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    “Does this mean you’re finallying round? Are you willing to admit we’re meant to be together? You


    said as much to the dingbat.” He asks hopefully. I can’t help but snort out augh at his nickname for


    Simon. I’m going to have to start calling him dingbat too. It’s strangely satisfying.


    1/4


    Cam 18- Damsels and debts


    “Don’t get carried away. I was just trying to get him to leave me alone. You know that. I’m not admitting


    to anything of the type…” I trail off then sigh.


    “I WILL admit that I owe you one though. Thanks for your help.” I tell him gratefully. Now most people


    when you thank them, they respond with ‘no problem‘ or ‘your wee‘ or even “it was my pleasure.


    But not Harry. Nope, when I admit to him that I owe him, I instantly realise that I have made a huge


    mistake when the biggest smirk crosses his face. Shit.


    “Aaah, a favour. One boon from the damsel in distress. Whatever shall I im?” He asks dramatically,


    hand over his heart and fluttering his fingers. Pretending that he is flustered as he contemtes his


    decision.


    “Well, I might have a FEW ideas.” He straightens up, dropping his drama queen act and swapping back


    to his usual flirtatious self. He winks at me. I re back. Why am I morefortable with his


    inappropriatementary than I am when he’s being helpful? Maybe because it’s easy to turn him


    down when he’s being inappropriate and much harder to sass back at him when he says something


    that’s actually genuine.


    “I am telling you right now I am not sleeping with you.” I tell him tly. Harry rolls his eyes.


    “As if I need to use a favour for that. No, when you decide to get in bed with me it won’t be because I


    had to bribe you. Although I think it’s interesting that sex is the only thing you’re worried I might ask for.”


    He points out. I flush red and turn away, heading back behind the bar. I start counting the till but


    honestly I just need to put a barrier between us and I need something to do so I have another option


    other than staring at him.


    “Avoiding the question. Okay then. Well I’ll try a different line of questioning. Why don’t I find out what


    exactly you WOULD do in exchange for this favour. Hmm, what about a drink, would you give me a free


    drink?” He asks, leaning his elbows onto the bar. I shrug.


    “Sure, do you want a drink?” I offer. Harry shakes his head.


    “Not right now, no. What about a hug?” He suggests.


    “I suppose so, although that hardly seems like much of a prize. I hugged you like two minutes ago.” I


    point out. Harryughs.


    2/4


    Cam 18- Damsels and debts


    “You’re right, I should aim for something more unattainable. What about dinner?” he asks. I pause then


    try to y my hesitation off with a casual shrug.


    “I suppose I could buy you dinner.” I agree.


    “I meant I’d take you to dinner. But it’s good to know.” He sighs deeply..


    “What about a kiss?” He tries. I narrow my eyes.


    “You’re really pushing it.” I warn him.


    “You didn’t say no.” He points out. I sigh.


    “Is that what you want, Harry?” I ask, suddenly exhausted.


    “Always, but it’s not what I’m going to ask for. I want a chance to spend time with you, outside of this


    bar I mean.” He exins, almost a little sad.


    “So you want to go to dinner then?” I rify. He shakes his head in refusal.


    “No, I want you to choose to go on a date with me. I would hate it if you resented me because you feel


    tricked into it.” He exins. Oh, well… alright then.


    “What do you want then?” I ask, kind of confused. He wants to spend time with me but


    doesn’t want to ask for a date?


    “You walk to and from work, right?” He confirms. I nod.


    “Yeah, I live pretty close so I don’t usually bother bringing my car. Too many drunk idiots. hang around


    in bars.” Yeah I know I’m the one giving them the booze, but I’m not responsible for their stupid


    decisions, and neither is my car.


    “I thought so. In that case, I was you to let me walk you home from now on.” He enunciates each word


    clearly and slowly, like he’s concerned he is going to mess up his request somehow. I look up at him in


    confusion.


    3/4


    Cam 18- Damsels and debts


    “Huh? How is that a reward? Isn’t it just extra work for you?” I point out. Harry shrugs.


    “It’s a few minutes longer before I have to say goodbye every night. Besides, you clearly have


    some a stalker in the form of mr dingbat. If he turns up at your ce, wouldn’t it be better if I’m with


    you?” He points out. I stare.


    “I suppose… but this still doesn’t seem like a reward for you.” I say reluctantly. What is he nning? Is


    he thinking he can convince me to invite him into my home? That I’ll be more epting of his advances


    outside of work? Harry just smiles at me.


    “Regardless, it’s what I want. Will you allow it?” He persists. I suppose I trust him enough to know


    where I live. If he turns up or annoys me too much I could ask Ryann to intervene, and he could be


    using this chance to aim for something more intimate, but he’s chosen something that will actually help


    me too. I can’t think of any reason to refuse him.


    “Alright.” I agree, a little reluctantly. Harry beams at me and stands up straight.


    “Wonderful. In that case, are you ready to go?”