fundamentals of love ; james sirius potter

5. the devil wears athleisure

I'm at the farmer's market with my dad, staring at potato's and pretending that throwing them in the air lets us know if they're the good kind or not.

"How was New York," I ask, while finally putting some in my bag. "Did you stand on the Empire State building at night time and meet some cute soccer mom?"

My dad starts to laugh. "I sadly didn't have a Sleepless in Seattle moment, but I did listen to a lot of jazz and eat too much sushi."

"So it went well."

"Very, they miss you and have told me I'm not allowed to come back without you next time." His head suddenly snaps towards something, he has a big smile on his face. "Elle . . ."

I'm already taking my money out to pay the guy for the potato's, "Is it . . .?"

He nods.

Francesca has arrived with all her berries and some of the homemade jewelry she makes. We're never sure if she'll be here because she comes sporadically but always has the best stuff so dad and I buy almost all of it up in a second. 

There's also another reason. My dad, who's gone on about five dates and never had a girlfriend since the divorce, has a crush on Francesca.

He's already gone along to her booth, so after I pay for the potato's and say bye to Lou, I follow after him. 

Today, Fran's displayed an overwhelming amount of strawberries with some blueberries scattered throughout. I'm immediately drawn to the crystal rings and necklaces she's made. She told me she grew up near a forest and surrounded by stories of magical creatures, so she likes the idea of them holding special powers.

I'm trying on a ring with a lime crystal when she walks over to me. "I know you don't believe in all my magical jumbo, but that's supposed to bring love into your life."

I wiggle the ring finger it's on. "Fran, what I told you I had a boyfriend?"

"Then I wouldn't believe you," she smiles, glancing back my father who's buying out all her strawberries. "Hudson would've told me already about something this important."

"Well, maybe I haven't told him."

Fran's eyes widen and she leans over the table, her cool hands cupping my face. "Angelina Peirce, are you letting me be the keeper of this secret," she asks, her voice as sweet as honey. "Who's the boy?"

It's not even confirmed yet, Fran. I still probably have to sign a dozen contracts and get some publicity coaching. It's not even a relationship and I should shut up--

"His name's James."

She looks so happy for me. "I like that name," she whispers. "Bring him here some time, I'll make sure to come around the market more so I can see him."

Maybe, I helped out my dad by doing this because now he'll be going bankrupt while failing miserably at flirting, but maybe Fran will catch on and help him if they see each other more. 

Dad's asking a question and she's turning back at him with a smile, her white sundress making her look like some angel walking to him. As they're talking with big smiles, I realize how bad I want this to work out for him. He's been alone for such a long time and he deserves to have a person, he deserves it more than anyone else I know.

The rings starting to feel like it belongs on my finger, so I decide to keep it. Some luck in the romance area wouldn't be bad for a person with no prospects like me. Thank god I'm not in Pride and Prejudice, I'd be forced to marry Mr. Collins.

James is waiting for me at the lobby of his publicist's office. When he sees me, he waves before saying goodbye to the pretty receptionist. The girl who's around our age, gives me a tight smile and I realize, I'll be getting a lot of those if I'm taking away the wizarding world's most eligible bachelor.