Fireproof (Book 4 in the No Control Series)

Harry knocks on Sara’s hotel room door; she answers with tears streaming down her face.
“What happened?” Harry asks, full of concern.
She steps aside for him to enter the room. “This.”
Harry takes the magazine she hands him. “Shit.” He reads the entire article before pulling out his phone.
“What are you doing?” Sara asks.
“I’m texting Lizzie, to make sure she’s alright.”
“Oh, Harry.” Sara throws herself dramatically into his arms.
He holds Sara as she cries. “Let’s sit down.”
They move to the couch. Harry replies to Liz’s text ‘Please let me know if you need anything’.
“Harry...I’m really upset.” Sara whines.
“I’m sorry, Sara. I just need to check on Lizzie, this must be very hard on her.”
“It’s always Lizzie, isn’t it?” Sara pouts.
Harry blows out a breath. “Sara, I realize there is something happening between us...but you’ve known about my feelings for Lizzie from the beginning. I’ve been nothing but honest with you.”
Sara wipes at her tears. “You’re right.”
Sara’s phone rings, she picks it up and sees Liz’s name, quickly pushing decline.
“Do you need to take that call?” Harry asks.
“No, it’s no one important.” She replies before snuggling in close to him.
Harry puts his arm around her, pulling her close.
“I feel horrible, this is all my fault.” Sara says between sniffles.
“I just feel so badly for Lizzie and Liam. Such a mess for them to deal with. It’s not like you did it on purpose though.”
Sara looks down. “Right.”
“I know Lizzie will handle it like the classy lady that she is.” Harry says.
He can’t see Sara roll her eyes. “Of course.” She says, before moving her hand to rest high on Harry’s thigh. She can feel his body tense. She leans in to leave a kiss on his neck.
Suddenly Harry gets up, moving across the room to look out the window.
Sara crosses the room to stand beside him. “Why do you keep rejecting me, Harry?”
“I’m not rejecting you. You are Lizzie’s friend, I’m not sure this would be the right thing to do.”
“She’d be happy that you were moving on.” Sara insists.
Harry looks in her eyes. ”With her friend?”
“Yes. She’s made it clear that she doesn’t have any feelings for you.”
“Ouch.” Harry looks down.
“Sorry.” Sara says quietly.
He turns back to her. “Has she told you that?”
“Yeah she has.” Sara lies. “Sorry, I’m sure that hurts a bit.”
Harry blows out a breath, thinking More like my heart is being ripped from my chest.
Sara moves in closer, this time Harry doesn’t resist when she kisses him.

The next morning, as Harry is leaving Sara’s hotel room, he feels conflicted. No matter how many times Sara assured him it wasn’t, he can’t help but feel that what they did was wrong.

Notes