Harry’s heart was racing in his chest. He was breathing heavily and felt like one of his lungs would pop. But it wasn’t because he was running; it was because of what might wait for him when he reached his destination.

After all the trips in and out of the country with the band, Heathrow was practically a second home to the Cheshire boy. It took him hardly any time to run through security, considering he carried no bags. He was running completely on autopilot, his mind focused on getting to the gate before it was too late.

It was the first time Harry had run through Heathrow for any other reason besides making a flight. Instead, he was trying to stop someone from getting on.

Audrey Coleman was the girl of his dreams. She was quick witted and good humored with a solid head on her shoulders. She’d been his fantasy since he was a boy. He couldn’t believe he almost let her go over a stupid fight.

Harry stopped to catch his breath and stare at the monitors before him. He could’ve sworn the flight to Newark hadn’t left yet. There it was! The numbers glowing on the screen gave him more motivation to keep running. She was less than a hundred meters away.

As Harry pushed his way through the crowded gate he narrowed his green eyes in search of the tan, petite brunette. There she was, lined up with the other passengers preparing to board the plane. Audrey had on dark sunglasses and her hair was piled in a sock bun on top of her head, but what was most important was that she was wearing one of his old plaid shirts.

“AUDREY!” Harry called out as he continued running. “AUDREY!”

She looked up from handing the woman her ticket and her mouth dropped open slightly. “Harry?” she asked as he approached her. She lifted her sunglasses and perched them on top of her head as if to make sure they weren’t playing tricks on her. It was really him.

“What’s going on?” she asked in a worried voice as he struggled to catch his breath.

Harry took her by the arms and pulled her away from the line, looking at her tear-stained face and immediately feeling guilty. She’d been crying.

“I just, I had to tell you,” he panted.

“Tell me what?” she urged.

Harry finally caught his breath and began the big speech he’d rehearsed the entire drive to the airport. “I know this was supposed to be just fun and just for a couple months until you had to leave. But I’m in love with you, Aud. I have been since I was a lad and now I know I always will be. And I feel absolutely daft for waiting until now to tell you. I beg you, please don’t leave me. We’ll work it out, I promise. I’ll do anything. Just stay with me.”

Audrey looked up into Harry’s big green eyes and knew he was sincere. But as she opened her mouth to respond her heart lurched in her chest. Audrey found herself caught in the between the two things most modern women are forced to decide between: love and career.