When the Clock Strikes 12:00 // L.S.

Chapter Seven: Ask Me Three Things

Harry's POV

It had been a while since I had been completely and utterly happy but here I was, walking next to Louis on the way to the coffee house, completely and utterly happy.

This morning had been a quiet one with Liam and Niall still asleep and Zayn and Gigi nowhere to be found.

"They must have gotten up early to get breakfast," Louis commented as he went to the kitchen to make two cups of tea.

We didn't do much that morning, or should I say afternoon, but it was comfortable and relaxed.

At four we stopped by my place so I could change my clothes and freshen up before we took the bus to work.

"You made it?" I said in disbelief as we walked through the door, the smell of coffee and baked goods greeting me.

Gigi stood behind the counter and though there were dark circles under her eyes and a couple of bruises visible on her thin neck she was glowing.

"Yep, Zayn dropped me off after we got brunch."

"So, I see, but it looks like he did more than that if you ask me." I teased and she reached out and whacked me over the head with a dishtowel.

"Ahh." I yelped diving behind Louis in hopes of not getting hit again.

"Hey." Louis said, "I don't want to get whacked either."

"You're right, what would we do without your pretty little face around here." I joked and then caught myself, too much Harry, too much.

I cleared my throat, "Anyways, you can go Gee. We're set."

She nodded and finished the latte she was making, "Barbs just ran to the store, but she'll be back later."

"Sounds good." Louis said tying an apron around his waist and walking to the counter to help the next customer in line, "Hi welcome to Espresso Coffee House and Bakery how may I help you."

Tonight was going to be a good night.

...

"Well, it looks like the two of you are getting along nicely." A voice said as I took another tray of cookies out of the oven.

Barbs stood there with a bag of Christmas printed napkins and two bottles of apple cider.

"Barbs!" I exclaimed giving her a hug.

Ever since Louis had taken over some of the work, Barbra didn't need to come in as often, so I was happy to see her.

"I'm just dropping this stuff off." She explained, "Looks like you trained him well." She noted glancing over to where Louis was taking the order of a couple with matching Christmas sweaters, they definitely would leave together, I thought.

"Yeah, plus he's a charmer." I said rolling my eyes, "He didn't need much help."

Barb put down her bags on the kitchen table and looked around, "You guys have a couple more hours and then lock up alright?" She said, "You two look trashed."

Before she could think of a reason as to why we looked trashed I quickly said, "A group of us were decorating gingerbread houses last night."

Barbra nodded, "That would explain the hickey on Gigi's neck."

My eyes got wide, "How did you-"

"Oh please, you two are like my children, I notice everything. Kind of like I'm noticing the way you look at Louis." She wiggled her eyebrows at my mortified face, "I'm just saying."