"What's wrong?"

The date is not going as smoothly as James intended. From the moment she answered the door, Lily has been closed off, a complete one-eighty from their walk in the park last week. She kept her distance in the car on the way there and swatted his hand away any time he reached out to take hers.

"Nothing."

"Please don't insult me by lying."

"I'm n—"

"Lily."

She huffs and stabs at the delicate orange Victorian sponge on her plate, avoiding his question. James watches as she lifts a sliver of cake to her lips, jealous of the way they wrap around the fork before it's pulled free and she chews the soft, fluffy confection.

"You know, when someone's asked out on a date, the standard decency is to converse with their partner. Forgive me for trying to figure out what's bothering you," he tries again.

Her sea-green eyes glare at him as she sets her fork down next to her plate and folds her hands together on the edge of the small, circular table. "Well, if you must know, the fact that my picture is still circulating the greater London area is bothering me."

"Still? Lily, it's been a week. How can the picture still be of interest to anyone?"

"You obviously haven't seen the tweets."

"No, I haven't. I told you, I don't let that bother me. Social media is a waste of time."

"Must be nice to afford that luxury."

James is at a loss for words, so he reaches out absent-mindedly in an attempt to take her hand, but she pulls it away as if his fingers have suddenly transformed into a snapping turtle.

"No touching."

Right. No touching. The rule Lily insisted on before leaving Mona's for their date. In all honesty, James thought she was kidding. That it was just another inside joke between them because they keep getting caught in precarious positions.

It's not like they've ever been overly affectionate in public, so he doesn't understand where this is coming from. Their intimate moment on the park bench was an isolated incident, not that he is opposed to doting on her in public. On the contrary, he wants to show her off and let the world know that she is his, even if he is enjoying keeping her identity a prolonged mystery from the tabloids.

"Don't you think that's a little overkill?"

"We made a deal. I'll call a taxi if you want to break it."

She's impossible.

James takes a deep breath in an attempt to quell his frustration. Her stubbornness is downright infuriating. If only she'd just talk to him about whatever it is that's bothering her. Most women would give anything to be caught with him in the tabloids for God's sake!

"The last time I checked, taking one's hand was an innocent gesture. Nothing sexual about it."

"And yet, if I let you so much as graze my fingertips, that could very well lead to something more, and I can't let that happen. Twice is two more times than I care to have my picture plastered in the papers."

"Is that why you're wearing the hat?"

Her gorgeous red locks are tied in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, and she's wearing a cream knit slouchy hat to cover the majority of her tell-tale hair color.

"No," she denies, even though her cheeks blush the instant James makes the accusation. "I bought it while I was out with Marlene last weekend and I thought it looked cute with my sweater."

She's not wrong, the entire outfit is well put together. The hat matches the oversized jade green sweater in question, and James can't help but notice how it accentuates the brightness of her eyes even more than usual.

Damn her and her no touching rule.

He figures it will be best to drop the topic and find something else to talk about as a buffer before he brings up the question he's been anticipating for a week and a half.

"So, does the cake live up to its expectations?" He asks the question as she slides another forkful into her mouth. Why does food have to be so sensual? A wave of desire crashes over him as he watches her eyes flutter shut. He wouldn't be surprised if she's doing it on purpose.

"Mmm, sensational," she gushes.

Sensational, indeed.

Once again, James is captivated by Lily's lips. The fact that he is sitting across from her, desperate to touch her, to feel her pillowy soft lips graze his own, is alarming to him. Thirty-one years and he's never been so moved by a woman. He's never had a problem remaining cordial and resisting any urges in public, but with Lily, he wishes to throw caution to the wind. There is a sense of need that James is not used to, but it does not scare him. It only makes him crave her more.

Thirty-one years he's spent without Lily Evans, and now that he's found her, he doesn't want to waste another moment when they are together.

"I can see why you like this place so much."

"It is a London staple. Is it giving you any ideas for new recipes?"

"A few, yes. Not that I can use any of it this week."

"What's the theme?"

"Italian week."

"And you haven't invited me to the shop to sample your practice batches?" James teases.

"I wasn't aware you were fond of cannolis and tiramisu." She doesn't miss a beat with her jibe.

"There seems to be a lot that you don't know about me, Miss Evans." It's the perfect opening to wheedle in some facts about himself, including his birthday and the impending invitation for her to accompany him to Peverell.

"I suppose I don't. Though, you don't make it easy when you're so tight-lipped about your life."

"For you, I'm an open book, Evans. Between the two of us, I'd hazard a guess that you're the one harboring more secrets."

Lily scoffs. "Please, you know more about me than you think you do."

"Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know. You know my birthday is in January, and I've no idea when yours is. You know I went to culinary school and was a self-employed baker in Belfast before I moved here for a temporary position with Mona. And you know way more about my closest friends and sister than I care for, although that wasn't my fault."

James can't help but laugh at the recollection. "Yes, they were rather rambunctious at the pub that evening, weren't they?"

"Don't remind me."

"Very well."

"So, are you going to return the favor, Mr. 'I'm an open book?'"

It must be a good sign that she's not dropping the inquiry. James focuses on a painting hung on the wall behind Lily as he chooses his thoughts carefully. This is the moment, and he doesn't want to screw it up.

"As you've probably guessed, I am an only child. Dora is the closest thing to a sibling for me, even though I'm her guardian. Sirius is my best friend, which I assume is obvious in the few run-ins that you've had with him. His brother is a nuisance who doesn't take a hint and sticks around anyway, despite our best efforts to ditch him in our teenage years. We did discuss my education on Valentine's Day, and I'm going to pretend I'm not offended that you forgot, but I don't think I told you I studied at Oxford, so you can have that. And last but not least, my birthday is on the 27th."

Lily's eyes bug out of her head. "The 27th of March?"

"Unless I'm mistaken about what month we're currently in, yes."

"Were you going to tell me or just let it pass quietly and make me look like a fool?"

"I was going to mention it, but please don't go out of your way to do anything special. My mum's already got that covered."

"Oh?"

"She insists on throwing a big foray every year for the occasion."

A puff of laughter escapes Lily's lips. "Why am I not surprised?"

"No need to sound so condescending—"

"Sorry, it's not that. It's just—"

"Come to Peverell with me for the weekend." The request slips out uncontrollably before Lily can make a sort of slight over his mention of the do.

"What?"

"Come with me to Peverell for my birthday weekend."

Lily frowns at the clarification and unease settles in James's stomach. He thought she'd be more interested in the prospect of getting away from everything for a few days.

"N—no."

"Sorry?"

"No. James, you know I can't."

"Why not?"

"I—well, for one, I'm supposed to manage the bakery. That's why I'm here. Not to mention the competition! I can't leave and get back for filming that Sunday. That's if I make through Italian week and—"

"They aren't filming on the 28th, so that's a nonissue."

Lily opens her mouth to contradict him but then furrows her brow as she thinks through the remaining dates of the competition. James smirks when the scowl reappears on her face, insinuating that he's right.

"But still, James, I can't go—"

"I'll speak to Mona for you—"

"No! The bakery aside, I can't. You know I can't."

"I know nothing of the sort."

"James, honestly, I don't—I wouldn't fit in. Not if your mum is hosting a fancy party."

"That's bollocks and you know it."

"No, it's not. You and I, we don't come from the same walks of life. I'll be ridiculed and judged, and I'm not interested in socializing with stuffy, rich people."

"That is the snobbiest thing I have ever heard." The comment slips out of James's mouth.

"Are you calling me a snob?"

The conversation is not going the way he expected and his frustration is mounting. She should be ecstatic at the prospect of a weekend away. That's how the scenario played out in his mind every time he envisioned the conversation. Yet, here she is, bringing up money again, and insisting they're too different because of it, and James has had enough.

"Yes."

"You really can't let your arrogance go, can you?"

"How is that being arrogant? You're the one chastising me because of my money. Do you think I wanted to be born into wealth?"

"What does that matter? You were, and your life is infinitely easier because of it. Some people don't have that luxury."

"I don't appreciate your condescension. I no sooner had a choice in the life I've been blessed with than you did. I'd like to think I do some good with my family's fortune as it's the least I can do. Forgive me if I've ever flaunted my wealth in your face as it was never my intention."

"All I'm saying is that some of us can't just 'pay' our problems away." The comment lashes out of her mouth in a way that causes James to pause, wondering what possessed her to say it. Her statement is weighted enough that it draws James out of the argument, so he chooses to wave the white flag—albeit a rather grandiose white flag.

"Shall I give it all away then?"

"What?"

"My money. I'll empty my accounts if that's what will make you happy."

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"Well, if my money is the biggest contention that's preventing you from being with me—"

"James, stop. I'd never ask you to do that."

"I know, that's why I'm volunteering."

"You're impossible."

James pushes his plate away and reaches out to take Lily's hand. Her eyes darken as she shoots daggers at him. This 'no touching' rule is grating on him.

"Lily, please, all I'm asking is for you to spend a weekend with me at Peverell. Two nights. Think of it as a birthday gift if you must. You've been working so hard and you deserve a break."

He is not used to begging and observes her with bated breath for her response. For a moment, he's hopeful that she might relent. Her face softens as she twirls the fork between her fingers. It's not until she takes a breath to speak, unable to meet his gaze, that James realizes he's not going to win.

"I'm sorry, James. I don't think it's a good idea."

"Lily—"

"Please. I'm not going to change my mind. Thank you for the invitation, but no. I'll try to make your birthday up to you in some other way."

James doesn't argue with her anymore. He simply gives her a brusque nod and waves his hand for the bill. Neither speaks as the waiter rushes over. While they wait, James begins working through a new plan.

The entire date seems like a disaster, but James is certain of one thing. This isn't over, and he refuses to give up. Come hell or high water, Lily will be at Peverell for his birthday.

"Alright, mate, what the hell is going on with you?" Sirius walks into the kitchen, surveying the scene in front of him.

Since Lily declined his offer, he's been going through all of Minnie's old recipes to find something new to introduce her to, thus giving him another excuse to see her. His week hadn't gotten any better after he'd dropped her off five days ago.

Bags of ingredients litter the counter, and there's a fine dusting of flour—or maybe it's confectioner's sugar—masking the usual sparkle of the granite. Bowls and measuring cups are piled high in the sink, further solidifying James's state of disarray since he's usually one of those 'clean as you go' types.

"Who says anything is wrong?" James feigns, focusing more intently on the current batter of chocolate sable biscuits he's mixing by hand.

"One look around this kitchen is telling enough, I'd say. What happened with Lily?"

He's managed to avoid any mention of Lily with Dora and Filius since Wednesday, and as far as James is concerned, Sirius deserves the rude gesture he tosses out. Can't he tell that James doesn't want to talk about it?

Sirius snorts. "Please, mate, you'll have to do better than that. I thought you two were getting on well."

"So did I."

"Until?"

"The bloody Daily Mail had to get involved," James grumbles.

"Was there a third picture or is Red still stuck on the second one?"

"The second."

"She knows she's hardly recognizable, right? Besides, it's you they're more interested in."

"That's what I tried to tell her!" He sets the spoon down and makes the mistake of resting his elbow in a pile of cocoa powder. "She wouldn't hear it, though. The entire date was a disaster. She instituted this 'no touching' rule and the entire meal was tense, and not because there was no snogging."

"Ah, so she was in a mood then. Red's quite the mystery, isn't she?"

"That's an understatement." James brushes the excess powder off of his arm and collapses onto one of the stools. He doesn't realize how exhausted he is until he sits down.

"Well, there's always this weekend to get back in her good graces."

James gives a noncommittal grunt. "I assume you've invited Marlene?"

Nodding, Sirius adds, "Figured that would be alright."

"Of course."

Sirius opens his mouth to say something else but hesitates for a moment.

"What?"

"There's one other thing, though. She invited a friend out to surprise Lily this weekend since there's a week off for the competition. That was before I'd invited her to Peverell. She said he was at the pub in Belfast when you ran into them. If Lily's going, can he come too? His name's Remus. Used to be her assistant slash apprentice or something like that."

For the first time since dining with Lily at the Orangery, James perks up. This might be the way he can get Lily to Peverell without admitting anything.

"Yes, the more the merrier. One more person on my list will be one more to combat Mum's."

"She's not given up yet?"

"I don't think she ever will."

"That's grim."

"Do me a favor, though. When you tell Marlene to bring Remus, get confirmation that Lily will be joining them as well."

Skepticism falls over Sirius's face and James hopes he can skirt around the reason why.

"But I thought you asked her."

"Yes, and I also informed you of how the rest of the date went."

"Ah. So, she said no."

James scowls. He should have known Sirius would see right through it. "She said no."

He's waiting for the burst of laughter that never comes. "Are you sure I should have Marlene bring her?"

"Yes. I don't care what it takes, I want Lily at Peverell this weekend. If all her friends are there, then she'll have no choice."

He sounds desperate, but there's a lot at stake here. He's already informed his mum he's bringing someone, and he shudders at the thought of how many women may flock over him if he doesn't attend the ball with Lily by his side.

"I'll do what I can, Prongs, I'll do what I can."

James finally relaxes, feeling the stress escape through his exhale as he surveys the mess in front of him. If anyone can get Lily to Peverell, it's Sirius and Marlene, he's sure of it.