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Taylor should’ve seen this coming. The moment she got the invitation to Ed’s wedding, she knew he would be there. The curse of mutual friends. She just hoped the party was big enough that they wouldn’t cross paths.
Joe was getting refreshments. Taylor was sitting at their table, taking a break from the dance floor. She closed her eyes and began to sway to the song blaring over the speakers. A small smile grew on her face as she immersed herself in the moment.
She heard a man’s laugh over the music and conversations. Her burgeoning smile dropped as she instantly recognized it. She knew that laugh. As she turned to its source, a flood of memories resurfaced.
She had heard that laugh mixed with her own as they both came down from the adrenaline rush of escaping the paparazzi.
She had heard that laugh after she showed him a new song idea she had on the guitar.
She had heard that laugh after they danced the night away at parties, high on young love and each other.
Her eyes met with Harry Styles. They both paused what they were doing as they took each other in for a moment. Taylor looked at Harry. He looked… good.
Who was she kidding?
He always looked good, but there was still something different. When they dated he was so young, now he seemed more confident and happier. It could be seen in the way he dressed, the way he acted. He seemed to be more at peace.
That was something they shared. Back in the day both he and Taylor were constantly worrying about their management, the press, conspiracy theorists and fanbases. Nowadays Taylor no longer really cared about any of those (except the last one). She did find that doing so made her happier.
“Got the drinks,” Joe interrupted her thought process as he returned from the bar.
“Thanks,” Taylor smiled as she took a glass from her boyfriend.
When she turned back to where Harry was, he was engrossed in a conversation.
“It’s been years since we dated,” Taylor thought as she chided herself. “I’m sure he’s gotten over me, I should be doing the same.”
Taylor switched her focus back to Joe and the party. But she’d be lying if she said she didn’t spend the night trying to stop herself from watching a certain brunette.