" 𝕺kay, what is it?".

Darlene lets out a dramatic sigh when Harry continues going back and forth between glancing at her and back at his phone.

"Nothing", he shakes his head attempting to hide his blush at being caught by her.

"There's obviously something so stop lying and just spill. I don't have all day", she rolls her eyes nudging his knee with her socked foot under the blanket they're both snuggled under on the couch.

"Uh, well . . . .", he begins rather nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well?".

"My mum was wondering if you'd like to join her and Gemma for Christmas shopping next month. Obviously, I'll be there with you but . . . . I get it if it's too soon for you", he puts a reassuring hand on her ankle gently rubbing the sock covered skin with his thumb.

Darlene blinks fumbling with the opened page of the book in her hand.

"Uhm. I . . . . don't know, I think—".

She's about to come up with an excuse to avoid the meeting altogether because truth be told, she is scared as fuck.

Darlene doesn't know what Anne and Gemma expect her to be like and that scares her to death, she doesn't want to be the complete opposite of the picture perfect girlfriend Harry might have told them about and end up disappointing them.

And she sure as hell does not want them to wonder why Harry would choose someone like her.

I mean, really though, why her?

She still doesn't get it.

But the almost flash of disappointment in his eyes silences her.

He wants her to be there.

And she wants to be there.

So why is she overthinking this?

"That sounds great. I'll be there", she smiles.

Harry smiles with uncertainty.

"You sure? You don't have to, you know. It's your choice".

"I know and I choose to be there".

"Okay, then. I'll let them know".

He turns back to his phone smiling quietly as Darlene returns to her book, a tiny smile on her own face.

***
short chapter but at least i updated right </3