Word Count: 487

"This is nice, isn't it?" James ask, smiling as the waitress leaves with their order.

Lily looks around Madam Puddifoot's. Nice isn't the word she would use. It's warm and cozy, and the smell of coffee and baked goods is enough to make her stomach growl, but she isn't a fan. Maybe it's the fact that they've decorated the place with horrible pink lace and obnoxious heart confetti. Still, James seems pleased with himself for bringing her here for Valentine's Day, and she doesn't have the heart to disappoint him.

"You know, Evans, I spent so much time just sort of… repelling you," he says, picking up a piece of confetti and thumbing it; it lands in someone's abandoned cup at the next table over, "that I almost gave up hope."

She shrugs. Maybe she should feel guilty, but she doesn't. James had spent most the time she's known him being an insufferable prat. If he had wanted to date her, he should have been nicer. "What made you keep trying?" she asks, genuinely curious.

James grins at her and leans in, taking her hand in his. "Because I knew we were destined to be together," he says. "Things just had to fall into place."

It's still strange that she's here at all. She doesn't know exactly how it happened, only that James changed for the better, and she began to notice him. Really notice him.

The waitress brings their order: a caramel latte and chocolate croissant for James, and a peppermint mocha latte and blueberry muffin for Lily. James thanks her and pays, seemingly oblivious to the way the waitress smiles a little too brightly at him.

Once the waitress is gone, Lily plucks a blueberry from the muffin and bites into it. The warm juice rolls down her tongue, and she smiles. "I'm surprised you picked this place," she admits. "You don't strike me as the romantic type."

"I'll have you know that I am a hopeless romantic," James insists. "I am the most romantic bloke you'll ever meet, Evans!"

She snorts, brows raising as she studies him skeptically. "Uh-huh," she says before taking a sip of her drink. "Let me guess: Remus planned this for you."

"Are you implying that I can't plan a romantic date?" James asks, resting his hand over his heart. "You wound me."

"Actually, no. I'm betting Sirius. Remus would have suggested you figure out what I like, but Sirius would have gone the dramatic route. Am I right?"

James stares at her. His lips quirk, and he shakes his head, laughing. "Peter, actually. Peter said you liked coffee, and hey! This place has coffee."

"Indeed, it does." Lily covers her cup as a fresh burst of confetti rains down from above. "This place is also a health and safety nightmare."

"Take it to go?" James suggests.

Lily grins, on her feet in an instant. "I thought you'd never ask."