I Knead You (Narry)

Chapter Seven: A Little Bit of Lemon

"Finally," Harry mutters, closing his laptop. He sits back in his seat and rubs his tired eyes. He hates doing finances and ordering.

His eyes slip closed for a moment, and he'd consider staying and sleeping here if his stomach didn't rumble loudly.

He groans and packs his things, whistling and twirling his keys around his fingers. He double checks his list and makes sure things are ready for Monday when he opens again.

After he's done, he leaves through the storefront. It's not something that he does often, but he's hoping to pick up some food from one of the nearby restaurants on the way home.

He locks up his shop and when he turns, he notices the lights to the shop next door are on and his heart stutters in his chest at the chance that he might get to see the cute store owner.

He walks past and sneaks a peek, but stops fully when he realizes that no one is in sight. His brows furrow reading the closed sign, and he thinks maybe Niall's accidentally left the lights on.

Just as Harry's going to turn and continue on his trek, he sees Niall walk into sight. He's walking into what Harry thinks is his office, since it's located in the same location as his. The blonds got his phone in his hands and he's scrolling to find the perfect song to fit his current mood, a scowl on his face.

Harry knocks without realizing it.

He curses to himself and thinks that he could just leave, but he's already scared Niall and the smaller boy is on his way over, unlocking the door and holding it open with his foot.

"Hey, Harry," he greets, phone still clutched tightly in his hand.

"Hi," Harry squeaks before he clears his throat, "Sorry, I–uh, saw the lights on and wasn't sure if you were in."

Niall peeks over his shoulder, taking in the interior of the shop that he's worked so hard to put together. He sighs and shakes Liam's repeating words from his head. "Yeah, I'm in."

Harry notices the drastic change in the blonds mood from earlier in the week, so he decides to ask, hoping Niall won't mind and will open up to him. "You okay?"

Niall gives him a half-hearted shrug. "Not really."

"Oh," Harry's not sure what to say, "Want to talk about it?"

"Nah, I wouldn't want to burden you."

"You're not a burden, I promise."

Niall tilts his head and eyes Harry curiously. Why doesn't such a handsome man have plans on this lovely Saturday evening?

There's a glint of something in Niall's eyes but Harry can't make out what it is.

"Okay, come in, please." Niall steps aside and Harry steps across the threshold, a nervous feeling in his stomach. He feels like he's fifteen again, going on his first date. Only this time, he can't have the man in front of him.

"I must say, this place looks amazing," Harry compliments. Now that the store is empty, he can finally take in the beautiful interior. He can tell that Niall's put a lot of work into making sure every single detail is laid out perfectly.

Niall blushes, "Thank you."

He admires Harry's physique while his attention is elsewhere. He's tall, lean, muscular, and don't even get Niall started on his eyes. His eyes remind him of the mossiest forest floors, the greenest basil used for cooking. He also sees Harry's dimple; it was the first thing he observed about the boy when he gave him that goofy grin that morning in line.

Niall leads the way back into the kitchen where he'd left his supplies laid out on the counter. He'd been in the process of measuring the ingredients to make some lemon cookies when he wanted to listen to anything other than the thoughts in his head.