Chapter 216 - Loosen Up

"Excuse me for a moment. I need to make a phone call in my room," Jade cut in while Aurora was saying something to Harry who was listening with rapt attention.

They were still having dinner, but because Jade had left most of the conversations to Harry and Aurora, she was done eating and ready to leave.

Harry glanced at Jade, and although he could guess what she was doing, he chose not to comment on it, while Aurora flashed her a smile, "Sure. Take your time," Aurora said as she returned her attention to Harry.

Aurora looked at him with a steady gaze which made him slightly uncomfortable, "I like you, Harry. And I would like to see you again, without Jade though," Aurora said after Jade had left. 

"You're quite forthright in your approach," Harry observed, and Aurora chuckled.

"I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. I don't know how to hide my feelings. I just prefer to express my feelings freely as long as I'm not hurting anyone," she explained, and Harry's lips curved in a smile since he was also that way, only that he often ended up hurting people's feelings with his bluntness. 

"I understand," Harry said with a nod.

"Can you fish?" Aurora asked, eyeing him curiously.

"Yes. Why?" Harry asked, looking at her with interest, as he had not expected such a question from her. 

"Do you already have plans for the weekend? We could go camping, and maybe catch some fish if you're not too busy," Aurora suggested, and Harry chuckled despite himself.

He hadn't expected a lady who looked as polished as she was to suggest camping or fishing, "It would have been nice to do that with you, mostly because I'm curious. But I'm sorry, I can't leave Jade. I'm only here because of her," Harry explained without going into the details.

Aurora paused her lips, "Because of her? Do you like her?" She asked thoughtfully, and without envy or malice.

"I'm here based on her brother's request. I'm just standing in for him to ensure that she is alright. So it wouldn't be possible to abandon my mission and go on dates," Harry explained.

"Oh, I see! Does that mean you would have taken me up on my offer if you weren't busy with your mission?" Aurora asked hopefully, and Harry found himself smiling once again. 

"It's possible," Harry said with a nod.

"Great then! In that case, let me not be a bother. I will let you concentrate on what you came here for. But you have to go out with me at least once before you leave, is that fair enough?" Aurora asked with a small smile as she extended her hand to him. 

He had to admit that she was not just beautiful, but also very smart and easy-going. And what was more? She was just as forthright as he was, so he was sure they weren't going to have the friction he often had with other ladies over his bluntness. What more could he possibly want in a lady?

"Fair enough," Harry agreed as he shook her soft hand.

"Alright, I will leave you now to get back to your charge. Can I have your cell phone, please?" Aurora asked as she pushed away from her seat, and Harry gave her a questioning look as he unlocked his phone and passed it to her. 

Aurora typed her number on his phone and dialed it, before saving it, and then she proceeded to his phone's clock to set a reminder with the title, 'Give Aura A Call'.

"Now you can't say you forgot to give me a call," she said with a smile as she returned his phone to him and stood up.

Harry glanced at the phone and smiled when he saw what she had done. Although ladies had shown interest in him in the past, this was the first time a lady was actively pursuing him this way, and he had to admit that it was oddly flattering. 

"I will give you a call," he promised as he stood up, and escorted her out. He couldn't wait to get back into his room and give Tom a call. He intended to brag to him about how Aurora was showing so much interest in him without him having to get piercings or color his hair like a teenager having an early life crisis. 

After watching her drive off in her car, Harry returned inside and went straight to the suite which he shared with Jade. Once he walked inside, he went to her bedroom and rapped gently on the door.

"Give me a moment," Jade called out as she threw on her decent enough sleeping robe over her skimpy see-through nightwear and tied it firmly around the waist before going to the door.

"For someone who claimed she wanted to make some phone calls, you look like you're ready for bed," Harry observed as he looked her over, feeling thankful that she was well covered. 

Jade flashed him a smile, "You saw her off already?" She asked, ignoring his comment.

"Yes."

"And?"

"And what?" Harry asked, staring at her blankly.

"You like her, don't you?" Jade asked with a knowing smile, since she had expected him to scold her for running off the way she had done, but it seemed like he had no intention of doing that. 

"She's alright. I think I might go on a date with her after we must have solved your case. So have you heard from them? Did they arrive safely?"

"Yes, they did," Jade assured him.

"And is Tom aware?" Harry asked, watching her closely

"I tried calling him earlier but he wasn't taking his phone call. I'm sure he will call back, and then I can inform him," Jade said with an easy smile.

"You'll inform him after the guests have arrived and settled in at his home and he doesn't have any choice than to let them stay there," Harry pointed out flatly.

"Exactly! Not that I expect Tom to refuse. But if he says no, we do have another place they can go to," Jade said with a grin, and Harry narrowed his eyes as he looked at her.

"No!" He refused flatly, and Jade giggled. 

"Wow! You can now read my mind?" Jade asked, folding her hands on her chest as she looked at him.

"You better pray that your brother agrees to let them stay in his place," Harry said as he turned to leave. 

"Did I tell you that you look really hot in that turtle neck?" Jade asked as he walked away, making Harry turn to look at her.

"Are you flirting with me?" He asked with a slightly raised brow, and Jade rolled her eyes.

"Loosen up, Uncle Harry. I would tell the same to Tom and Bryan, and I'm sure neither of them would think I'm flirting with them."

Harry looked at her for a moment, and without saying a word he turned around and walked away.

Jade had an amused smile on her face as she watched him leave, and only returned to her bedroom when she heard the sound of her ringtone.. She could tell it was a member of her family who was calling and she hoped it was Tom.