*rolling eye emoji*
Harry
You are saved as *cat, fire and rocket emoji*
Ali
I approve. Are you still at the club?
She wants to chat.
Harry
No, I just got home.
Ali
Proof please.
I laugh as I take a photo of my abs and send it.
Ali
*eye roll emoji* Yes, we know you’re hot. You can put the abs away now, Hulk.
Harry
You called me HOT, Ali Cat. I think that’s the first time you've admitted that.
Ali
Yeah, well, don't get used to it. You get one compliment every 6 months. Consider this your first instalment for the year.
Harry
Good to know you see a future for us. I look forward to my next compliment in 6 months’ time.
Ali
Night H x
Harry
Night my little pocket rocket. Sleep well x
I close my eyes as images of Ali coming apart in my office earlier drift through my mind, and I start to question if this casual thing is going to work, because every touch, every taste of her has me falling a little more for her, which scares the hell out of me. But I have no intentions of staying away from her. I don't think I could even if I wanted too.
Chapter Seventeen
Ali
It feels impossible to breathe; like I’m wearing a vest made of lead. I try to move my arms, to free myself, to shift this heaviness from my chest but I can't. I can't move, can’t speak, all I can do is just close my eyes and let myself fall…
“Ali, you're okay, you're okay, wake up. Alice, wake up.”
My eyes spring open. I search the room for the familiar voice, my breath ragged, clutching my chest, my shirt damp and clinging to my trembling body.
I sit up, looking round the room, feeling a wave of ease come over me when I see Gabby.