Lily shut her mouth quite quickly. She knew she was wrong the moment the words left her mouth, but hearing him confirm it and spit it back at her really made it sink in. She tilted her head to the side, considering his words. In the back of her head, she’d always assumed that his crimes hurt people the same most did. But, that was before she knew other things, things about the ways people really hurt in the city behind closed doors. So, what? Him being not as bad as others didn’t seem like a reason for her to trust him. And yet…
“You’re right,” she managed out, although saying the words was painful. Never in a million years did she ever think she would say that to him. “You aren’t the worst. That doesn’t mean you’re a saint. Just because you don’t physically harm people doesn’t mean you don’t hurt people.” A stretch, sure, but she couldn’t stand to just let him be right.
“Does that mean you’re proposing, Potter?” Lily was reflecting in the back of her mind, remembering a time she chased him through the streets, just hoping for a shred of evidence to actually lead to a conviction. Now, she was borderline flirting with him in a bar she once swore she hated. “If so, I have to be honest. I wouldn’t marry you if it was a choice between you and a giant squid. Let alone just because you call me smart and beautiful in a sleazy place like this.”
“The truth, right,” she shook her head, but there was a smile still on her face. She was enjoying this, as much as she wished she wasn’t. “Give me one reason I should actually trust you. Just one.”
James wondered if Lily would ever see past this black and white point of view she seemed to have about the law. She seemed so certain he was bad for breaking it, but really, all he was doing was providing the people with a good they couldn’t get anymore. “I’ve never claimed to be a saint,” he replied, looking away from Lily to where Mary was still performing on stage. “Don’t think I ever will, either. But, I’m not a bad of a guy as you make me out to be,” he said, his voice quiet, serious. “I hope one day you can see that.”
James couldn’t help but snort, though her comment cut a bit deeper than he’d like to admit. “You think when I’ll propose it’ll be a shabby of a job as this?” He shook his head. “Nah, you deserve something more than that, some romance to it,” James admitted, still looking away from her. And he meant that-Lily wasn’t the kind of girl to go halfway. Should she ever give him a shot, he was certain he would be putting his all into it. “Though careful, Officer, Evelyn might not take kindly to you calling her place sleazy,” James teased, finally letting himself look at her once more. God, she was beautiful when she smiled. “A reason to trust me?” he paused, considering it. “I guess that I’ve never lied to you isn’t enough for you,” he said, fake hurt coloring his tone. “But if my word isn’t enough for you, I can offer you this: a favor. Claim it whenever you want, but it’s yours for the taking.”
He stood up then, moving away from the woman though it was the last thing he wanted. James offered her one last smile, as he said “But I’ve imposed on your company enough for one evening. I’ll be seeing you, Office.”