Harry ordered Chinese takeout that night, resolving to visit the grocery store himself tomorrow. He returned to his balcony, blanket draped around his shoulders, to eat dinner while gazing at the illuminated tower and the few visible stars. The city lights dimmed the celestial display, but even a handful of stars felt precious.
He was still sitting there at 8 PM when Louis called again. Harry let the phone ring three times before answering, careful not to sound overly eager.
“Hey!” he answered, concealing his excitement.
“Hi, quick question – what’s your name?” Louis’ earlier stalking was evident, but Harry couldn’t know that yet.
“Harry Styles.” The younger man replied, “Uh, my middle name is Edward.” Louis chuckled, finding it charming.
“Mine’s William. I just wanted to save your number.”
“William, I like that.”
“Yeah? I never have. Edward is cute though!”
“To be honest, I only started liking it after watching *Twilight*. I had a thing for Edward Cullen.” Harry laughed, confessing something he’d sworn to keep secret.
“You didn’t!” Louis gasped. “I’ve always been Team Jacob.”
“Jacob’s hot and all, but the vampire part just had me.”
“I do prefer a vampire over a werewolf.”
“Yeah! I think everyone does.”
The two continued discussing *Twilight* for a while, cringing at their teenage fandom days but unable to stop. The conversation shifted to work. Harry proudly admitted finding a job on his second day in Paris. Louis was intrigued by why Harry had moved from his hometown, and they bonded over being English expats. The conversation dwindled around 11 PM, exhaustion and early mornings looming.
“I have to get up really early. I really do wish I could talk longer, Harry! Hey, wanna meet for breakfast?”
“Yeah, what time do you normally get there?”
“I get there at six, but if you wanna get there at six-thirty that’s fine?”
“No, I’ll be there at six. Goodnight, Louis.”
“Goodnight, Harry.”
Harry rose from his balcony, gathering everything inside in one trip. He even managed to close and lock the door with his arms full of belongings, a small victory he felt proud of. Louis lay on his outdoor lounge, admiring the stars visible from his rooftop. He wanted to talk to Harry all night, though he couldn’t explain why. He was disappointed to end the call, but knowing he’d see Harry in the morning, and needing sleep to avoid looking exhausted, pushed him back inside and into bed, silently thanking himself for showering and brushing his teeth before calling Harry.
Louis arrived at the cafe first, as expected. He watched Harry ride up on his pink bike and smiled as he walked in. Today, they sat together, and Louis offered to order and pay. Harry accepted, only when Louis promised breakfast again tomorrow, with Harry footing the bill.
They ate and chatted between bites, discussing their plans for the day. “I’ve actually got court today. My client is batshit crazy, but from the story she told me, the defendant shouldn’t have a chance.” Louis knew Harry wouldn’t ask about the details of the case. “I’m at the flower shop until 5 PM, then I’ve gotta go grocery shopping.” Harry groaned. “I take it you don’t like grocery shopping?” Louis laughed, stirring his tea. “It’s not the shopping itself, it’s the long lines and having to carry my bags up to my apartment.” Louis paused, “I live on the top floor, I’ve got a penthouse apartment. I’ll show you sometime, the views are great!” He didn’t brag, and Harry didn’t perceive it as such. “Yeah, I’d love to see it. Can you see the tower? I have a very clear view and adore watching the sunset over it.”
“Yeah, I’ve got a great view of it.” The older man smiled.
At 7 PM, Louis had to leave for work. Harry had an hour to kill, so he offered to walk him to the office. “You sure you won’t be late?” Louis asked as they crossed the street. “I don’t have to be there for another hour, Lou.” Harry blushed, realizing the nickname had slipped out. Louis just smiled. “You know, no one has called me Lou in a long while. It was only my mother who ever did, and she just calls me Louis now, mostly.”
“I don’t even know where it came from, just slipped out.” Harry blushed deeper. “I like it. Imma call you Haz.”
“Lou and Haz.”
“Haz and Lou.” They smiled at each other, holding the smiles for the rest of their walk.
“It’s only 7:10, want to come up for a while?” Louis offered. “Yeah, sure.” Louis held the door for Harry and followed closely behind him. “Who’s this?” Georgia eyed Harry up and down. “A client, shouldn’t you be in school?” Louis asked the girl who bore a resemblance to him in certain ways. “We have an exam today and don’t start until 9. I’m just picking up one of Dad’s portraits for Mum. She wants to hang it over the fireplace because they loved sitting by the fire together.” Georgia smiled weakly. Louis’ heart tightened slightly. “Oh, okay, yeah.” He mumbled. “Eleanor’s picking me up from here at 8 if you want to come down and speak to her?” Louis shrugged. “Tell her I said hey.” Georgia’s expression was pure shock. “Just Hey?” Louis nodded, then motioned Harry to follow him.
“Sorry about that,” Louis apologized. “Georgia is my half-sister. We share the same dad, she’s a pain sometimes.” Louis laughed. “I’ve got an older sister, and we definitely had some fights growing up.” Harry shrugged. “So who’s Eleanor?” Louis turned to face him once they entered his office, boasting a stunning view. “My on-and-off-again girlfriend. Currently on, but soon to be off. She’s been seeing other guys, with my permission. I just don’t feel for her anymore.” Louis looked directly into Harry’s eyes when he said that, and Harry’s heart fluttered, though he wasn’t sure if Louis intended that look for him. He hoped he did.
“Court starts at 10 and with a bit of luck should be over by this afternoon. I don’t have anything booked after because you never know how long a court hearing will go. If I’m back in time can I meet you at work and we can go grocery shopping together?” Louis asked, wanting to spend more time with Harry. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Me too.”
Harry left the office at 7:30 and retrieved his bike, riding it home in case he and Louis saw each other that evening. He arrived at work ten minutes early and helped Colette open the store and arrange the flowers. Harry suggested placing potted flowers by the door to attract attention, and happily, it worked. Colette left him in charge while she handled the bank transfer for his weekly pay, a process Harry was happy to assist with. He helped customers throughout the morning.
Louis grabbed an Uber to the courthouse, unable to shake Harry from his thoughts. He needed to focus, but Harry was more interesting than a break-and-enter case. His client called on the drive, and they reviewed the story. Louis was confident in winning, but nerves always crept in. He was defending the shop owner, and pressing charges against the teenage robbers shouldn’t be hard. But all he could really think about was the curly-haired man with the cute bum.
Harry noticed Louis running in at 4:52 while assisting the last customer of the day pick a bouquet for her sister. “I ran here. I didn’t think I was going to make it. My phone died and I didn’t know the time.” Louis laughed, still catching his breath. Harry smiled at him. “I saw you. Your hair blowing in the wind really suits you.” And did he just say that out loud? By the flush on Louis’ cheeks, yes, he did. “Thanks.” Louis smiled. “I’ve just got to pack the rest of these flowers into the cool room then I can leave.”
“Need help?”
“No, no, you can sit over there if you like? It won’t take me long.”
“Just let me help you.” Louis laughed, grabbing some flowers and placing them on a trolley for Harry to wheel back to the cool room. Colette locked the doors and lowered the shutters. By 5 PM, all three were heading their separate ways: Colette home, and Harry and Louis to the grocery store.
“Hey, where’s your bike?” Louis asked, noticing its absence. “I took it home this morning.” Harry replied. “How was court?”
“We won.”
“Congratulations!”
“Thanks.” Louis laughed. “It really was just a small case.”
Their hands brushed as they walked, and neither moved to break the contact. They both liked the softness of each other’s skin.
They entered the grocery store, and Harry grabbed a cart. “Like, what do you need?” Louis asked. “A bit of everything.” Harry groaned. “Can I ride in the cart?” Louis asked, smirking. “If I can eat you.” Harry paused, realizing his words. Louis burst into laughter. “I mean, I’m not going to say no.” He said through laughter. “Shut up and get in the cart.” Harry laughed at his own silliness, grateful Louis was so relaxed and didn’t mock his verbal slips.
“Can you cook?” Louis asked, watching the groceries Harry placed in the cart. “Yeah, kinda.” Harry shrugged. “Cook for me tonight?” Louis asked. “Yeah, what would you like?”
“I can cook one dish. I’ll repay the favor one day.” The man in the cart looked up and smiled at Harry. “How about chicken parmigiana?” Louis’ mouth watered. “Please, veggies on the side?”
“Of course.”
“Lift me out, please. You finish off what you need to get and I’ll go across the street and grab a bottle of wine for the two of us.”
“Aww, you can’t climb out!” Harry cooed. “Shut up.” Louis retorted, letting Harry lift him down. “I’ll meet you back here okay?”
“Okay, should I grab dessert?”
“Of course you should, dessert is always a yes.”
They found each other while Harry was in line, waving like a complete fool at the man searching for him. “Do you even have wine glasses yet?” Louis asked, placing the bottle in the child seat of the cart. “I’ve got mugs?” Harry laughed. “That’ll do.” Louis shrugged. “Still tastes the same.” They placed the items on the counter to be paid for, and while Harry was paying, Louis grabbed the bags, then Harry grabbed the rest, pushing his cart aside. “I’m actually quite excited to try your cooking.” Louis admitted as they approached Harry’s apartment complex. “I do alright, I’m not like a chef or anything so don’t get your hopes too high.”
“I’m sure you’re great.”
“This is your complex?” Louis asked, smiling ear to ear. “Yeah?” Harry asked, confused. “It’s mine too.” The older boy laughed. “No way!” Harry laughed. “That means you can stay longer tonight then.” And Louis nodded, agreeing with Harry.