The Thing About Three

chapter twenty-seven | double

I DIDN'T WANT to go on a double date with Dallas and Megan, but I decided that even though I didn't want to go, I could still at least look good for the occasion.

I brainstormed a cute wintry outfit—a black turtleneck and a tweed pencil skirt with some riding boots. I stood in the mirror for about five minutes after putting it on, thinking I looked nice in something other than jeans and a work t-shirt for once.

But Noah didn't seem to be too fond of my outfit when he showed up at my house.

"You're not wearing that," was the first thing he told me, eyeing me with his arms crossed as I stood in the doorway to my house.

I frowned, looking down at my outfit. Did I look weird? "Why?" I asked. "Is it too dressy or something?"

"That skirt is too short," he said. "And too tight. Go put on pants."

I laughed at him. "Well, someone's overprotective tonight." I tugged at the hem of the skirt. "It hits mid-thigh, Noah. It's not like it's a mini skirt."

"Still too short for my liking," he told me, reaching out and me drawing closer. "I don't want people seeing my girl's legs." He kissed me on the ticklish spot of my neck, making me laugh. "Only I am allowed to see your legs," he said possessively.

I smiled at his possessiveness and turned around to head back into my room, coming out a few minutes later in my jeans. It definitely ruined my outfit, but the smile on Noah's face was worth it.

"That's better," he mused, wrapping an arm around my waist as he led me toward his car. "Now I can do this." I felt his hand slip into the back pocket of my jeans, making me blush.

We listened to another one of his uncle's mixtapes on the way to the restaurant, talking and laughing over it.

The laughter stopped the second we were parked. Noah took the key out of the ignition, leaning back in his seat and looking at me.

"I have a question for you," he revealed.

That had my full attention. I unbuckled and positioned my body to face him better. "Okay," I said hesitantly. "What is it?"

I watched him take in a long breath before he voiced the question. "What are your feelings for Dallas?"

My heart dropped. "What?" I asked. "What do you mean?" I felt the blood slowly drain from my face the longer he stared at me, so I threw on a nervous smile. "I only care for him as a friend, Noah. I've told you this before."

The lie felt slimy in my mouth. Guilt and shame married in my chest and weighed my heart down, but I covered it all up with a reassuring smile.

He pretended that he bought my lie, giving me a smile of his own. But something about the way he looked at me made me feel like he was seeing right through me.

We both ignored it and got out of the car, heading into the restaurant. Dallas was already there, sitting within view at one of the tables closest to the entrance, Megan's purse hanging on the back of the empty chair next to him.

As if feeling my eyes, he turned and caught my gaze, smiling softly.

I smiled back, and then froze when I felt Noah watching our exchange. I quickly looked away, sending Noah a brighter smile than the one I had given Dallas, and then we were walking forward.

We all greeted each other politely, Noah and I taking our seats across from Dallas. I sat in the one opposite Megan.

Dallas frowned at that, but said nothing.

There was obvious tension in the air as Noah and I picked up our menus, scanning over them for longer than we needed to. Long enough for a waiter to come by and take our drink orders.