We started to head towards my favorite little hole in the wall coffee shop. It was nearly midnight but I knew they’d be open. They always extended their hours over the winter season. Harry stepped into pace with me and fanned his arm out like a chicken, asking with his eyes for me to take it. I hesitantly obliged his wish. We walked silently arm in arm to the shop. It wasn’t an awkward silence though, like one when you’re around someone you just met, like me and Harry had. It was a comfortable quiet, like we’ve known each other for years. As we got to the shop, Harry opened the door motioning for me to go in first.

“Ah Spencer! So good to have you back!” the sweetest Russian woman smiled happily.
“Jana! I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my coffee! You know that!” I smiled embracing her open arms. She raised an eyebrow as she pulled back, looking over my shoulder.
“And who do you bring?” she looked at me curiously.

Jana was basically like a second mother to me. Most times when I was studying I would bring my work to the shop for peace and quiet. After the first time I came, I knew I would never step foot in a Starbucks again. Jana (A/N: pronounced YAWN-A) made everyone who entered her establishment feel like family. You couldn’t get this in Starbucks or a chain name coffee place.
“Oh!” I exclaimed forgetting Harry momentarily, “This is my new friend Harry! We just met and decided we would warm up with some coffee together.”

I smiled at Jana but saw the look she wore, as if almost to say ‘we’ll talk later’. Okay, she was definitely my mom away from home.

“Ah Air-ree.” I smiled at the way she pronounced his name. I loved her accent almost as much as I did his. “Any friend of Spencer, is friend of ours here.” She smiled shaking his hand. “Now now dear, have sit and I bring usual. And you?” she eyed Harry, curiously.

“Just a cup of tea please.” He smiled politely, deciding to use his manners now. He caught me rolling my eyes as Jana walked away from us.

“What?” he asked, wearing that smirk. That smirk he wore so perfectly, the way one side of his lips turned up, making his face look oh so irresistible. Wow Spenc. Slow down, you’ve only just met this boy.

“Now you have manners. Where were those about a half hour ago when you decided to run me down?” I said failing to suppress my giggles.

“Well running into and being nice wouldn’t have gotten me here, would they have?”
He had a point. If he wouldn’t have ran into me, I wouldn’t have blown up, he could have just said sorry and kept walking but he retorted my insult. Maybe we should thank my stubbornness too while we were at it.

Jana walked over, two large mugs in hand. “Coffee for Spencer, tea for you Air-ree.” he smiled up at her, thanking her. His smile was contagious, it made me smile too. “Look at two of you, if I did not know you, I think you were in love.” And with that she walked away, leaving the first awkward silence of the night.

This silence gave me time to think. I suddenly wanted to know everything about this mysterious Harry. Was he as polite and honest as he seemed? Was he harmless? Did he really just think I was beautiful? Or was it all a ploy to try and take me home?

“Why were you out so late, wondering the streets of New York alone?” he asked, pulling me from my daydream.

“I was on my way home from work.” I shrugged. I worked a cute little clothing boutique, almost like a thrift shop. We close at 9 usually, but sometimes I like to stay late when I’m the only one there and just enjoy time alone. I live with my friends Kasi and Ana in an apartment on the Upper East Side. It gets a bit hectic sometimes, with both girls constantly having their boyfriends staying at our place. It also makes me feel sad. Being the only single one around makes me feel uncomfortable as a fifth wheel.

“At this hour of the night?” he asked, seeming concerned.

“Well I finished at 9 but I had some stuff that needed to be taken care of.” I lied, not wanting him to hear my self-pity party.

He nodded in agreement. I asked him the same question to which he answered, just roaming around trying to clear his mind. Whatever that meant, I didn't press the topic because he seemed stressed about it.

We drank 2 more cups each, talking and laughing like long lost friends who haven’t seen each other in years. Before I knew it, it was past 2 in the morning. I sighed, looking over at Jana reading a book behind the counter.

“Oh my god Jana! I’m so sorry! It’s past 2 and I know you close at 1!” I began digging through my purse for money to pay for our drinks as she came over to clear the table. She refused to take mine or Harry’s money.

“No no, not tonight. You two were laughing. So cute on first date. I remember my first date with Vlad. He took me to restaurant downtown Moscow. I knew that night, he was one for me.”
Harry and I smiled at each other, I guess this was like a first date. I hadn’t gotten to know much about him personally, we mostly chatted about random and outrageous things.

“I will get you back Jana! I can’t believe we did this!” I smiled at the older woman, as Harry chimed in.

“You will definitely be seeing me back, this was the best tea I’ve had in this bloody city!” he smiled, offering her money again, which she declined.

“You have safe ride back to house Spencer. See you soon.” And with that she disappeared into the back with our dirty mugs.

“Ride back?” Harry questioned suspiciously.

“Um, yeah I have to take the subway to the Upper East Side, that’s where my apartment is.”
“So I guess this is where we part ways?” his face sinking. “I’m in Lower Manhattan.”

“I guess so.” I frowned, not wanting to leave Harry’s company. The short time I had spent with him tonight was the most alive I’ve felt in months. “Well do you at least want my number?” I asked, not being shy.

“Of course, I want nothing more than your number right now.”

We exchanged phone numbers and headed out of the coffee shop. We stood awkwardly facing each other, neither of us wanting to turn away. He wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I stood on my tiptoes after we pulled apart and kissed his cheek, crimson dusting his cheeks.
“Thanks for tonight Harry, I really needed it.” I smiled brightly up at him.

“And it only gets better from here. I’ll call you. Thanks for making my night perfect. See you later Spencer.” And with that we parted ways.

Notes

Hey! Decided to be awesome and update another chapter since it's a new story, I'm sure you want to know what is going to happen.

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Thanks, enjoy xx