The feel of Lily's hand against his wrist brought an uncharacteristic flush to James's cheeks. Not from want, but from embarrassment and even a touch of anger. How she could even try to stop him after what she'd said, the way that she looked at him... after everything... James felt the hurt rise and turn into a different breed of animal. He forced himself to ignore the way that she pleaded with him.
"If you want to talk, let's do it here, so everyone has the privilege of seeing you tell me to sod off again. Because that's what you're going to say, isn't it, Evans? Just like always?" The cockiness that he was so famous for tainted his words as his voice raised, causing a few interested glances to shoot toward them. It had been quite a while since he'd felt this way, childish and arrogant like he did, but she'd instigated it on her own. Or so he reasoned.
"C'mon then, do your worst. Clearly my snogging you at the Ball didn't mean a thing." At that James crossed his arms, trying unconsciously to protect himself against the verbal lashing that he was anticipating. He really wanted to stop himself, but it was too late now. It was all in the open.