JAMES' POV
Okay just pull yourself together, it's your second first date with Lily. You can do this, it's Lily, you know her better than anyone.
I have everything planned: we are having dinner at a little restaurant on the French coast, right next to the beach. I organized a secure portkey to take us there. Then we are going on a romantic stroll along the beach, since Lily loved the beach.
It's ridiculous how nervous I am. It's Lily, he had known her since they were 11. But he felt like he was 17 again, and it was their first first date.
He couldn't screw this up again, he couldn't lose her again. Because if he did screw up, he wouldn't just lose any chance he had of getting his wife back, he would lose one of his best friends. No, screwing up was not an option.
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LILY'S POV
"Thank you James," I say, "I had a great time.".
We had the perfect first date. He took me to the cutest little restaurant in the South of France. It had the most amazing lobster—he knows that is my favorite—and the best French wine I have ever tasted. Then we went for a moonlight stroll on the beach, he charmed my shoes to make sure the sand didn't get inside, and so that my heels didn't sink into the sand. And he has just walked me straight to my front door, he always was a gentleman. I don't think I stopped smiling all night, he just has a way of making me feel so special. I didn't think I would feel like this about him so soon.
"I'm glad," he says , smiling. I know that smile, that smile always made and still makes me weak at the knees. Damn him for being so bloody handsome.
"We'll have to do this again," I say, grinning like a loon. I am so obvious, how can I be falling for him again after just one night, no matter how perfect?
"We will. How about Thursday night?" he asks eagerly.
"Thursday is fine," I say, not being able to stop myself from smiling.
"Great."
"Well I had a lovely time and I will see you on Thursday," I say.
He was just standing there looking at me, with that look. The James Bloody Potter look, the one that makes any woman in Britain want to jump him, me included.
Do not push up against the wall and snog him senseless. Do not push up against the wall and snog him senseless. Do not push up against the wall and snog him senseless. We are taking it slow, so there can be no snogging and absolutely no sex on the first date.
"I'll see you then."
"Thank you James," I say. And then I amaze myself and I just gently place my hand on his chest, and kiss his cheek. I really do have a lot of self control.
"No thank you, Lily," he said charmingly, then he pressed a kiss to my hand.
I went inside my flat and ran to the window so I could watch him leave my building.
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SECOND DATE – LILY'S POV
I am stuffed. Tonight James took me to an Italian in Rome, the pasta was just so…not bought from the nearest supermarket, and the sauce was so creamy. Oh right you probably don't care about the food, but let me tell you it was amazing, I just couldn't stop eating and now I feel like I'm waddling instead of walking.
James is, as always, charming, funny, kind, sweet, and HOT. How could I have been living with him for a year, and not realize how hot he is. I mean he was always handsome and sexy but recently something is different. Maybe it is his hair.
"Did you change your hair?" I blurt out as we stop outside my front door. He insists on walking me all the way up again.
"My hair?" he says obviously surprised by my comment. Yeah, I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm mental now. "No I haven't changed it. I mean I tried to flatten it before I left home, you know make it look…better."
"I like your hair," I murmur, reaching up and touching his hair.
"I know," he says.
"Anyway…." I say, somewhat awkwardly removing my hand from his head. "I had a great time…again."
"Me too."
"That place was amazing."
"Thank you. It was my mother that suggested it actually."
"Your mother always did have good taste." I always liked his mother; she knew exactly how to keep him in line.
"Yeah she does, she sends her love by the way."
"Send mine back."
"Of course."
"Thank you, for another wonderful evening."
"My pleasure."
Then I stepped up on my tip toes and kissed him, on the lips this time. I had forgotten how soft they were. But we are taking things slow, so there was no tongues. Just a sweet, lingering kiss. I really am getting good at this self-control thing, I may just decide to right a self help book about it.
"You just made my year," he whispered softly into my ear.
"You know you don't have to try so hard next time," I whispered back, "It's just me, and as lovely as they are there is really no need for the lavish meals."
"I'll keep that mind," he whispers causing shivers to run up and down my spine, "and you look beautiful by the way."
"Goodnight James," I say, blushing furiously.
"Goodnight Lily," he says and I can hear the smile in his voice.
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THIRD DATE
"Oh wow, that was awesome," Lily gushed.
James had taken her suggestion to heart, and for their third date he had taken her to a Chudley Cannons Quidditch game.
"Well Miss Evans I have to say I am shocked," said James, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "I never had you down as a Quidditch hooligan."
"Neither did I. I never really knew what you saw in that game. But it was just such a rush, watching them play and cheering."
"You were the loudest one there, and when Bones missed that goal the words coming out of your dainty little mouth would make a sailor blush."
"Well no bloody wonder, he wasn't even a meter away from it and he MISSED!"
"I know, I was there."
"It was just so much fun, and those burgers, YUM!"
"Yeah that was another shock, the burger was near enough the size of you and you practically inhaled it. You certainly can pack the food away."
"Well it's nice to know that I can still surprise you."
"It certainly is."
It was then that Lily forgot all about her self control, and she pushed up against her front door. She tugged on his shirt, pulling him down to her. It only took a second but he responded, taking over the kiss. He wrapped one arm round her waist, cradling her head with his other hand. Grinding her body closer, Lily surprised herself by her fiery response to him, had he always had this effect on her? She couldn't think enough to remember at that moment. Her hand was slowly running down his strong chest, they were almost at his belt when he broke off the kiss.
"We're taking things slow remember," he said, his breathing ragged from the kiss.
"But…" whined Lilly almost like a child.
"No." he said, running his finger down her cheek. "You said you wanted to take things slow, and I happen to know for a fact that you don't do anything until at least the 6th date,"
"You're a tease Potter," she growled.
"Perhaps. But I'm not going to risk this, not even for…that, and you know how good we are at that."
"Always the gentleman," she murmured.
"Of course," he smirked. "Lunch tomorrow?"
"Okay."
"Until then," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Bye James."
"Bye Lily," he said then he turned and started to towards the stairs muttering something about a cold shower.