When Lily Evans met her match
Lilly Evans was not big on reading groupchats. To be precise, she had muted all of them. Even the one with her closest friends. She just had no time for that, with her masterThesis coming to an end, and everyone knew that, and was fine with it. But, if Lily was no good at reading group chats, she was spectacular at reading people. And the very first time she talked to James Potter, she only needed a glance to read him. That guy was nothing but a heartbreaker.
It was a day of April. Her thesis was almost entirely written, which was something that could barely be expressed with words, and Marlene and Dorcas were getting married in October. They had wanted a spooky wedding. And they also asked Lily to be head bridesmaid. Lily had no time for group chats, or proper sleep, or anything really, but she had time for her friends. Always. So, on a Monday morning, after a four hour sleep last night, she was on her way to the photographer. Apparently they had decided on which one to choose in the group chat, because it was the one of the only thing that Marlene and Dorcas were already settled on when Lily started planning stuffs for the wedding and the bridal shower.
When she arrived in the studio, she had already her agenda in hand, with all the spots filled with her friends schedules and the few empty spots where they could shove the bridesmaids photo shoot. Lily had no intention on wasting any of her precious time on people's inefficiency.
The studio was nice, professional and clean, yet not that big. Marlene and Dorca’s wedding was on a budget. And in the studio, there was a guy, behind a desk. There was an impressive computer setup in front of him, who was apparently working on some shots. He heard Lily’s heels clack on the floor and checked his watch, smiled and got up, standing at the same time as she arrived at the desk.
« Hello, Lily Evans, I called to say I'd stop by around... » She said, smiling politely.
« Nine. And it’s nine sharp. » The guy cut, nodding. « Welcome. I’m the one you spoke to on the phone. James Potter »
And he smiled, and their eyes met. And Lily knew it. Charming smile, big brown eyes, soft yet confident, soft curly hair, dark with just a hint of shimmers, broad shoulder, soft chin, beautiful hand yet a bit dry.
James Potter was an asshole.
She knew those guys. Flirt always on, dozens of girls registered as vague physical description in his phone, charming with your mom, slightly macho when talking to your dad, likes to talk business and throws a few jokes while doing so. Probably traveled to India after college before discovering a passion for photography and asking Papa for a studio. Lily wondered how Marlene and Dorcas knew that guy. But it wasn’t her problem, As long as the guy did the job, that would be fine.
« Yes, I’ve got very little time so ... »
« Is that the schedule ? » he cut her again, pointing at the notebook in between them.
« Hum yes » He took Lily by surprise. She was usually the one doing the talking in those situation, that’s mostly why Marlene and Dorcas had put her in charge.
« Good, can I ? »
« Hum, yes ... »
Potter took the notebook and went back to his computer, opening some files and frowning as he read the schedules.
« This is very well organized. » He said, nodding.
« Thanks, I guess. »
« What app do you use ? »
« None, I have a thing…. For planning. »
« Nice. Well, I have a spot in a month, but it might be tight since one of you has Pilates. Or I have one, better, in two month, on the 25th, around five. »
« I’ll take next month. We can move Pilates. »
It was the very first time Lily had met someone that efficient. Usually she would have spend a good fifteen minute reaching across the desk to point at the computer trying to make the other person understand how their own file worked. She hated those moments, she always got out red, sweaty and so frustrated. But right now, she was cool, her hair still neatly styled and smiling politely. With his long fingers, Potter moved some stuff around on his calendar and put her name down.
« Okay, so it’ll be on the 17th. At 3. Is that alright ? « He said, still looking at his screen, with his brows furrowed.
It reminded her how her mum would always pester her for frowning, arguing that she would get wrinkles and that no one would want her after 25. Lily would love to say jokes on her, but she was mostly right. Lily was 25 and utterly single. Not because of the wrinkles though. More because she had no intentions on starting a relationship before the end of her thesis. But to her mom, it didn’t make really any sense. The wrinkles were far more to blame in her mind.
« It’s perfect, thank you. »
« My pleasure. » James said, finally turning to her and handing her the notebook.
He was smiling and Lily had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. She hated when people flirted with customers.
« I’ll be going then. »
She turned around, shoving her notebook inside her bag.
« Excuse me. » He called and Lily stopped. « Have we met before ? »
This time, Lily rolled her eyes. He was the worst, and she knew his embarrassed look was nothing but a trick and it pissed her off even more.
« No, we haven’t. Good day » She said staring daggers at him before leaving the shop.
And as the door closed behind her, James potter evaporated from her mind. She had a shit son of stuff to do, and no room for guys like him.