This was how James had anticipated their meeting to go. Badly. Although he realized that he should have broken whatever agreement he had made with Lily and told his friends what was going on, he could not bring himself to do so at the time. Now they were upset because he had maintained his secret. Of course circumstances would be him in ill favor.
"We did not keep it to ourselves because we thought you were undeserving," James protested. "It was because we had no idea what could or could not be said. Besides, we are telling you now. Especially now," he emphasized, "since things are actually moving, and not just being discussed."