Chapter Text
“Excuse me?”
Lily looks up from her phone, startled by the proximity of the deep voice calling for her attention. The volume of the pub around them necessitates close proximity for any sort of conversation, and she blinks as her eyes focus on a (very) attractive man sliding into the seat next to her. Quickly, her eyes dart around looking for Dorcas, who should really be on her way back from the loo any second now, to no avail.
“You’re here with Meadowes, right?” The man asks, a black eyebrow raising knowingly, something unspoken and humorous dancing on his lips.
Rolling her eyes, Lily leans back in her seat and drops her attention to her phone. This happens all the time. “You’re not her type, sorry.”
The man lets out a sharp laugh that draws her gaze up once more, and it lingers to take in the untamable curls that fall in front of square-rimmed glasses. “I’d say not.” At the raise of her brow, he shakes his head with a smile. “I’m James. Marlene’s friend.”
Lily sucks a breath through her teeth and reaches for her half-empty drink. “I see.” Taking a long sip, she sets it down and straightens out the napkin on the table, fixing this man—James—with a tired, knowing look. “And I take it Marlene also disappeared to the toilets about ten minutes ago, and has yet to return?”
“‘Gone to get us drinks,’ actually,” James replies, fingers quoting around his friend’s excuse.
“Wonderful. And here I thought Dorcas wanted to have a girls' night.”
“To be fair to Dorcas, I think she is.”
Lily just stares blankly at him. “Does that usually get a laugh?”
“An exasperated groan, actually.”
“Good,” she nods, taking another sip of her drink. “You don’t need the encouragement.”
James places a hand over his heart in mock-pain, a smile spreading on his lips. “So Dorcas lured you here under the pretense of a girl’s night? Marlene said we were coming to a pub quiz. Imagine my disappointment.”
“This is so messy,” Lily sighs, tracing the top of her glass. “The last time they broke up—”
“I know,” James sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Their schedules just really don’t line up. Maybe that’s why they pulled us into it—someone to hold them accountable.”
“Fat load of good that does when they don’t even tell us the reason we’re here. I have other things I could be doing other than sitting alone in a pub on a Tuesday night.”
“Yeah I’m a little peeved at McKinnon. I actually rearranged my schedule because she said they were down a member.”
Lily’s lips twitch. “You rearranged your schedule for a pub quiz?”
“I rearranged my schedule to help a friend,” he answers, aghast.
“Your friend should be more appreciative and not run off to snog her ex-girlfriend in the toilets,” Lily grimaces, finishing her drink.
He sighs, bringing his beer bottle to his lips (and drawing Lily’s gaze there as well). “It’s not the first time she’s done something like this. I’m afraid I’m rather gullible when it comes to my friends.”
“It’s Dorcas’ first time pulling something like this.” She clears her throat and tears her eyes away from his lips, a flush crawling up her neck as she sees she’s been caught. James quirks an eyebrow.
“Maybe we should teach them a lesson. Make sure they don’t do it again.”
Her pulse quickens. “Maybe. They shouldn’t leave their poor, suffering friends alone in a bar.” Green eyes flicker down to full lips for the quickest of moments. “Do you have an idea?”
“I do,” James breathes, and he’s leaning in towards her. “But I’d feel pretty shit following through without even knowing your name.”
She honest-to-God blacks out for a second, before remembering the four-lettered thing. “Lily.”
“Lily,” he repeats, and the sound of her name in his mouth sends a jolt of electricity through her. “I’m James.”
Her smile is fleeting as she spots two figures heading their way, and she rushes her next words. “You’ve already said that, and they’re coming. Now shut up and kiss me.”