James opened up the shop with a smile, as he usually did. Sirius would usually be sitting at one of their tables outside, playing on his phone, waiting. James was never an early riser, but he made exceptions for Fridays.

He opened up the shop around five in the morning. Sirius breezed in, throwing on his usual apron and cap. Remus and Peter ran in a few minutes after Sirius had. They followed suit and put on coffee shop aprons and caps with a smile. James was complete neat freak when it came to the shop. He spent another ten minutes wiping down the counter and testing each machine to make sure they worked. Sirius rolled his eyes at him and James made a face.

Even though they had a schedule, he and Sirius had decided that they should let their new employees to understand how to handle customers and work with the machines. (It was all simple enough, and they'd all caught on quite easily, but why not have more people working in the morning.)

Sirius would balance making the coffees and helping customers. Peter made the coffees. Remus would handle giving them out and James did as he usually did—take orders.

Soon, it would only be a few moments before the customers would come in.

People breezed in, ordering their usual coffees. Some sat down at tables, while others rushed out the door and hailed a taxi.

"Mocha macchiato!" Sirius called, smirking at a girl with blond hair. James rolled his eyes.
"Got it." Peter answered, smoothly handing Sirius a cup.

James turned to help a customer. This one was a lady with shoulder length dark red hair and green eyes. She wasn't looking at him, but at the menu above his head. The lady was exceptionally pretty. A man stood beside her. Dark hair and eyes. His hair reminded him of Sirius', falling above the shoulder. Except for the fact that the man's hair was greasier. Not partially attractive, but he supposed he shouldn't be thinking that about customers. The man was gripping the girl's hand.

"Can I help you?" James asked politely. Then the man turned to glare at him. James' eyes widened in surprise.
"Hi, can I get a caramel latte and ... Sev, what did you want?"
"Just a coffee." the man answered, turning to the girl with a hungry, somewhat possessive look in his eyes. It scared James a little.
"Okay, can you find us a seat?"
"Sure." James was looked at one last time and the man hesitated before leaving to get them a table near the window.
"Sorry about that," the girl apologized, "Can I have a caramel latte, a medium coffee, and a chocolate chip cookie." 
"Who will this order be for?" he asked, a grin on his face.
He saw the girl smile, "Lily."
"That'll be 12.49."

She handed him a twenty dollar bill and James had to split it. He gave her back seven dollars and fifty one cents. She smiled at him, the grin reaching her eyes.

The lady named Lily took another glance at the menu.

"You know," she turned back to him, "you guys should sell bubble tea."
"What?" James asked, shocked.
"Bubble tea. It's a big thing now and might draw some more customers."
"Oh. I suppose we could try selling it. We could fit a machine here."

She smiled at him. She has really nice eyes, he thought. Then grinned back at her. He wanted to talk to her some more. But her outspoken and talkative personality intrigued him. No other customer had ever stopped to really chat with him. James heard Remus called Lily's name to give her the order. Lily beamed once more and then turned to pick up her drinks and cookie.

"Thanks." she said simply.
"Anytime." he answered, the grin not fading for his face.

He glanced at her as she hugged Remus when he handed her her order. They chatted for moment, then she sat down next to her friend. James chuckled happily before turning to help the next customer.

Lily came by everyday. Some days she bought a coffee in the afternoon. She'd often praise their lattes, which always made his day. On some days, when the shop wasn't busy, she'd stay and chat with him for a little while.

Over those few weeks, he and Sirius became close friends with Remus and Peter. They'd gone out to arcades and bars sometimes. Even did a bit of sightseeing. One day, they'd stayed at James' to play games. Even though they were in their twenties. But no one was ever too old for games and fun.

Lily had come in one Wednesday, looking a faintest hint more tired than usual, but James was too happy to see her to notice. She began ordering her usual before spotting their new machinery.

"Hey, you put in the bubble tea machine!" she squealed, her soft green eyes alight with joy.
"Yeah, we did." James grinned.

He watched Sirius smirk at him, and mouth 'you like her'. James stuck his tongue out at his best friend and shook his head no, as if to say that she was just a friend.

"Oh, I'm going to be the first person to buy one! Screw my usual, a taro bubble tea would be amazing." Lily told James excitedly.
He heard Sirius chuckle as James laughed loudly, "One taro bubble tea coming up! With the bubbles?"
"Well, of course." she smirked, "It wouldn't be bubble tea without it."

They laughed once more. After making one for himself too, he set the cup of purplish liquid down on the counter as Lily fumbled in her wallet for cash. She almost handed him the five dollar bill, but James shook his head.

"Keep it, it's my treat today." he said softly.
Lily looked up to smile at him, a twinkle dancing in her eyes, "Now, I feel bad."
"Why would you?" James grinned, gently pushing the cup towards her, "Please. Or I'll feel worse."
She looked at him for a moment, the gave in, "Alright. Thank you." she gratefully took it from the counter and took a seat close by.

There weren't many customers, so James let Sirius handle them. He stood in front of Lily, wiping the counter so she could place her stuff down. Lily looked so flustered as he smiled softly.

"So, where do you work?" he asked, hoping to make polite conversation.
"Oh, I own a bookshop down the street." she sipped her tea, and as did he, "This shop's so successful. How do you do it?"
"I mean," James didn't know how to answer. He'd always guessed that it just came naturally, "My parents own a hair product company. Maybe it runs in my blood." he joked.
"Clearly you don't use their product with those messy curls." she answered sarcastically, laughing as he faked looking offended and running a hand through his hair. Lily glanced at her phone then looked up at him, almost painfully, "Sorry I gotta go see my boyfriend." her voice shook a little.
"That guy you came in with once?" he asked.
"Yeah him. Anyway, it'd be awesome if you could meet me sometime and help me figure out how to run the bookshop. Here, I can give you my number." she scribbled on a slip of paper and slid it to him.
"Thanks," he grinned, "I'd love to."
She smiled softly, but her eyes looked pained, "Thank James. I'll see you soon."

She left, waving to him as she did. James found his heart fluttering with joy at getting Lily's number.

"You're so whipped." Sirius teased.
"She's just a friend." James answered, knowing that he was lying to himself.