Checking Up On You

5 Nora

Evelyn practically threw me on him. She's in the backseat, whispering things in her girlfriend, Leigh's, ear and they are on the verge of making out. And Owen keeps looking at me every fifteen seconds.

Evelyn takes a break from giving Leigh hickeys and leans up to show Owen where to go. He pulls into a parking lot and it is packed. He has us get out at the curb of the restaurant while he finds a spot.

Evelyn leads us in and tells the hostess the reservation name. He smiles and leads us to our table where a few other people are already sitting. Chaos begins as they get up and hug Eve and Leigh. I stand there awkwardly before Eve pulls me close and introduces me.

Carson has a shy smile and soft hazel eyes. He gently shakes my hand and my heart melts for him. He reminds me of a fawn, vulnerable and too gentle for this world.

Julia has wild red curly hair and a bouncy personality. She immediately hugged me when I told her my name. She talks a mile a minute and has asked at least eighteen icebreaker questions.

Reggie, I assume is Julia's boyfriend by the way he looks at her and pulls her away from me to give me space. He got cute nerdy glasses that constantly slip down his face and he continues to push them up.

Eve slaps a hand over her mouth. "We forgot about Owen, shit. Nora, go get him, he probably feels so helpless up front." She pushes me away while everyone piles into the circular booth.

I stumble forward and walk back to the entrance and see Owen walking in as soon as I get there. He shoves his keys in his pockets and smiles when he sees me.

"We have a reserved booth. Everyone is waiting for us." I turn around and almost collide with a waiter holding a tray full of steaming food.

Owen grabs my wrist, pulling me back. I land with my back on his chest.

"Sorry," I apologize to the waiter and he keeps moving.

"Watch where you're going Nora. Can't bump into everything," he whispers in my ear. I pull away so he can't feel the goosebumps on my arms. I shouldn't have them either way.

Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I start to lead him to the booth when he presses his hand on my lower back.

I look up at him. "What are you doing?"

"Make sure you don't run into anyone else," he leans down and murmurs in my ear.

"I think I can manage on my own, thank you very much."

We can't do this. I am not attracted to him and he needs to move on. This isn't going to work.

I speed up to escape his hand and he doesn't try again much to my relief.

Eve introduces him to the group. He stands directly behind me, I swear I can feel him breathing. His chest grazes my shoulder blades. I quickly sit down on the edge of the booth next to Carson. He moves over so I can have more room.

Owen sits next to Leigh on the other side, getting a direct view of me. I stare at the waters in front of us. The condensation slides down the sides. He's looking at me. It reaches the bottom of the glass and pools around on the coaster. He's still looking at me.

"So, Nora," Carson clears his throat, "What are you majoring in?"

I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank you Carson. "My plan is psychology."

"Oh nice. Why did you choose it? If you don't mind me asking."

I shrugged. I hate this question. I should've lied and told him I don't know yet.

"Just want to help people out."

I feel Owen staring me down and I look up. He sees right through my lie and knows there's another reason for my choice.