Unlovable

10: Dinner Date from Hell

Sometimes, you can know somebody for years and later realize that that person was not meant to be your friend. You can know them for ages and realize the incompatibility of the friendship or the shattered trust that would be impossible to repair.

And other times, you can know somebody for a few days, possibly even a week or two, and want them to remain in your life forever. I always had problems with the latter. I always got attached too quickly; it was one of my weaknesses.

"What happened at Kappa? You look a little distressed." Abel noticed, driving ten miles below the speed limit.

"Claire's been doing some sleuthing," I giggled.

"About what?"

"Us- she thinks we've been sleeping together. I told her we weren't." I said as Abel glances at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because we aren't having sex, Abel. We technically sleep next to each other, but we aren't sleeping together like she thinks."

"Why does she care?" He asked, driving as it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. Of course he still cared about her, they had been together far to long to just stop. He obviously wouldn't have asked that question if he didn't want an answer.

"Maybe it has to do with the fact that she wants you back? I dunno, just a thought." I said sarcastically as Abel's jaw hardened, his eyes looking straight ahead as his fist tightened around the steering wheel.

"So, she took it out on you?" He asked, his voice deeper than before, far less playful, and slightly dangerous.

"No, she didn't. I told her I hardly knew you and that she should move on. She's actually really sweet." I muttered as he pulled over suddenly, receiving several honks from the cars behind him. "Why're you stopping?"

"Fireball, you don't hardly know me."

"I know that, but I knew she would keep digging otherwise. I thought this would get her off both our backs."

Abel brought his fingers up to his temple, frustrated as he stared at me. I wondered what he was thinking or why he was suddenly so upset.

"June." He finally said after a long moment, "it doesn't matter what she thinks. This isn't high-school. Her opinion of you, or me, of us or our friendship doesn't matter. I don't have any intention of getting back with her, but I also don't need you to lie to protect me." He said, his strong cheekbones and jawline moving as I stared.

Wow, Abel is enchanting. Even when he's mad, he looks hot as fuck.

"So you want me to tell her that we are sleeping together?" I giggled as Abel looked at me, disbelief in his eyes.

"I just want you to be honest, regardless of who it hurts."

"Ok." I muttered, looking out the window, glad that it was nighttime and he couldn't see me blush, "are we going to dinner or what?"

Abel turned completely to face me, "June, I'm not lecturing you, I just don't want you to care so much about Claire's opinion of your private endeavors." He said, putting an emphasis on the word 'private.'

"So you're an endeavor now, are you?" I asked crossing my arms as Abel was caught off guard.

"Shut up," he muttered, smiling as he turned back onto the street. He was right, I shouldn't have lied about my friendship with him. It didn't do any good for anybody.

He parked in front of a sandwich shop and turned to face me, "are you cool with this place?"

"I've never been?"