Time to Let Loose -- Summer 1976

" I'll take that challenge Mr. Potter." I said with a laugh. I would beat him or get plastered trying, " Would love to see it..care to have a little bet?" I asked him. Figuring he may jump on it. " You beat me I owe you and I beat you and you owe me?" I asked him. Leaving it open ended trying not to scare him or anything.

I raised my eyebrows at her. "And what exactly would we owe each other? Or would we decide on it later?" I questioned. I would definitely say she owed me a kiss or something. No, a date. She would owe me a date. On a date, I could woo her and win her over and probably end up getting a kiss. With just a kiss, it showed that all I wanted was some loving. And that was not true. I wanted her. And I would take my time with her - no matter how long it took.

I grinned mischievously, " How about a date?" I asked him, here I was technically asking James to take me on a date. Am I feeling all right. Did I want him to take me....that was besides the point. Oh please just take the hint. I am going to say yes. I wondered if he would be all right if I wanted to cuddle with him. I just wanted us to be something but everytime he picked on people it just infuriated me. I wondered if I would get put to bed or something. I shivered slightly, " So, you'll make more?"

"I think that is quite a fair bet," I said, grinning like a fool. I could not help it. I would win either way... maybe I would let her win. Just to give her bragging rights for a moment. I would have to deal with my ego later -- it was already telling me game on and to kick her butt at this. But I wanted to listen more to my gentleman side. "Of course I'll make us another one. Do you want a blanket or anything?" I asked her, really wanting to just put my arm around her. As it was, I casually put my hand on her knee. I was testing my luck, but I was feeling rather confident with her right now.

Grinning to Ember, " Took them long enough.." I said taking a swig. " You having some deserved fun like the rest of us?" I asked her, she did look pretty good, should I voice my opinion, not entirely sure. Looking over to the pair, he's getting lucky. " Normally, she would have hit him by now."

Smiling, " Thanks." I said to him, nodding wanting for him to just keep me warm. I almost asked him to not leave me there while he went to make them. About the blanket, " I may steal a pair of pj's..." I told him with a smirk. Guys pajamas were always so much more comfy and warm. I did just want to cuddle up with him. How about we get the next round and go sit over there?" I suggested the chair that may have forced us to sit rather close. That way his body heat will keep me warm.

I laughed and shrugged.  "I suppose I am," I said.  I was not lying.  I was having fun... I just wished that something would fall into place fo rme like it was for Lily and James.... but I knew it was not going to.  And to keep myself from doing something stupid, I was making sure I was staying more on the sober side than tipsy/drunk side.  There was no reason for me to possibly do something that I would regret later.  "I agree... I'm actually surprised that she hasn't smacked him yet," I admitted.

I saw where she pointed and smiled. "Sounds good to me. I'll meet you over there," I said, standing up after squeezing her knee slightly. I grabbed our cups and filled them up with my concoction. I looked down at Frankie who was staring at me. I bent down and pat his head. "Buddy, go lay down. I don't need your slobber ruining my chances." I stood back up and went over to the chair. I handed Lily her drink and I sat down, holding my arm up so she could move a little closer and I could help keep her warm. I had a blanket with us... that way if we ended up falling asleep in the chair cuddling -- I never thought I would say that -- we would stay warm.

I nodded, " Sounds good," I got up and stumbled slightly and looked down at the ground. Made my way over to the chair and sat in it. " You know this is an amazing chair " I said taking my drink from him also taking some of the blanket and allowing my self to relax. I leaned on him slightly as we observed the group. This was fantastic it was so nice and relaxing. I looked over to the doorway and I saw his puppy. " He is so cute." I said to James gesturing to his puppy. I took a swig of my drink, " how are you running so warm."

"Frankie is the best. But he's not allowed over here... he'd kick us both out of this seat," I said, grinning at her. I had my arm wrapped around her and kept my hand on her shoulder as casually as I could. I was sure that she could hear my heart pounding in my chest. I think the nerves were keeping me from feeling the effects of the alcohol... or I was just good at handling it. Probably the latter. I smiled at her and pulled her a little closer as I 'adjusted' myself. "Oh, it's probably just the drink... or the nerves," I admitted. There was no reason to try to be all cool and collected. Everyone always told me when I tried to stay all sly and whatnot, I made a complete arse of myself. And I definitely did not want to do that tonight.

I nodded, " Ahh.... I don't want that... I have grown to like this chair. " I looked back over to Frankie. " Sorry Frankie..." I said with a grin. " Nerves?" I questioned him. Did I really make him this nervous? I get it that you run warm. " Thanks for running warm." I said as I leaned on him a little more and let myself get comfortable. " You better take this..." I said giving him my drink to put it on the nearby side table.

I chuckled a little bit at her tone. I guess that it was a surprise that me, James, got nervous around ladies sometimes. Okay, just one lady... and she was unbelievably cozying up to me right now. I smiled and set her drink on the side table. "Didn't think it was possible that you could have this effect on someone like me?" I asked raising my eyebrows at her.

I gave a short laugh, " I didn't think I could have this affect on you...because I didn't know I had anything special.." I said to him as I didn't think I could be anywhere else. This just felt like I belonged here which I wasn't exactly protesting. " I didn't know I had an affect on anyone really..."

I smiled at her. "You've had his affect on me since the moment I laid eyes on you," I said softly. I was not making my move... I was not lying... I was, for once, being completely honest with Lily. I was pretty sure that I had been in love with Lily for as long as Ember has loved Sirius (as much as I hated saying that). The only differenc ewas, me and Lily were going to work out. Her and Sirius? Not so much.

Why did I not notice this before, smiling. " I'm sorry..." I said to him. I didn't know I had such an impact. I put the blanket up around my shoulders as I wrapped my arms around him as I felt myself almost melt into his chest. I looked up to him, was I really leaning for a kiss. Really?! I pushed my lips against his.