feels so good

20

Harry's POV

Nova and I had met while I was working, and Eli was the one who encouraged me to ask her out. I was surprised she came along tonight but grateful. Seeing Jovi and Sami back together after the hurtful shit he had done to her made my blood boil. Eli had mentioned that they were working things out, but I had no idea they were just as serious as before.

It was almost like a punch to the face. As long as she kept accepting the shitty behavior from the people around her, she'd never be happy. But that wasn't my problem. She wasn't mine. That's probably what hurt the most.

We went a month without seeing her and now she's back with Jovi, back hanging out with us like nothing ever happened. I didn't know the whole situation, but I knew she deserved better than Jovi. I sipped my gin and tonic and tried to pay the two of them no mind, but it was hard considering the lighting made her look ethereal and her smile was practically contagious.

The casual chatter was enough of a distraction for me to ignore them most of the time, but I felt bad for being stuck in my head. Nova obviously felt awkward among all these strangers. Sami was trying hard to make her feel included and that just made me like her more.

"So, Nova, what do you do?" Sami asked, sliding closer to her and leaning in so she could hear her.

"I work at the cafe with Eli and Harry. I just started this week," Sami nodded, asking Maela and Nova if they wanted to go get another drink and hit up the restroom. They agreed, and before long it was just the guys left at the booth.

"So, you and Sami?" I asked Jovi, clutching my drink like a lifeline. Jovi nodded, smirking at me. 

"It's been great, I actually think we'll be dating like, soon. I'm gonna talk to her about it later," Dom fist bumped him and I nearly hurled. Surely Sami had enough sense to know that was a bad idea.

"I like the idea of you two together," Eli admitted, eyes glossy from the numerous beers he had consumed. He was drunk already, which was odd. Dom was usually the first one drunk and Sami was usually the last.

"Me too, you guys seem happy," Dom observed, and I took that as my opportunity to step outside and get some air. I found Sami, Nova, and Maela dancing near the bar, and I figured I'd let Nova know I was stepping out for a bit.

"I'm actually gonna head out," Nova said softly, stepping away from Maela and Sami.

"Are you not having a good time?" I questioned, and she shrugged. 

"I just didn't know your ex was going to be here, or that y'all still hang out," she stated, and I gave her a strange look.

"My ex?"

"Yeah, you know, little Ms. Red Dress that's being way too nice to me? Sally or whatever," Nova crossed her arms and I quite literally laughed in her face.

"Sami is not my ex."

'"Then why do you keep staring at her like she broke your heart and you still aren't over it?"

I stayed quiet. I didn't realize it was so obvious.

"Exactly. I'll see you at work, Harry."

She walked off without a second glance and left me standing there, feeling more stupid by the minute.

"You okay?" Sami's hand found my shoulder and I sighed. 

"I'm fine. Nova left. Can I bum a smoke?" She nodded, handing me her pack and telling Maela she was stepping outside to smoke. By the time we reached the curb, I was furious with myself. This obsession with Sami had to stop. It was never going to happen. I had to accept that.

"What's wrong?" Even in the lamplight, she looked good. I shook my head, lighting a cigarette and hanging the pack back to her. She followed suit, waiting on an explanation.

"She thought you were my ex," I admitted, hitting the cigarette hard. Sami's eyes went wide, ashing her cigarette and exhaling dramatically.

"Why in the world would she think that?" She asked, and I knew if I didn't tell her then, she'd figure it out on her own eventually. 

"She said she could tell there was something going on with me by the way I look at you," I said softly. 

Sami nodded, the silence between us intense and terrifying as I waited on her to respond. Much to my surprise, instead of saying anything, she pulled me into the shadows behind us, kissing me roughly. I tossed my cigarette, hands finding her hips as I pulled her closer to me.