Mates With Benefits

Chapter 17: First Date*

We drove to the restaurant in silence, thought it was an oddly comfortable silence. Nolan held my hand the entire ride, our fingers laced together. Every now and then he would look over at me and flash his cocky grin that I loved. As we drove I couldn’t help but think how much I was liking this new Nolan. He was sweet, still a cocky asshole but a nicer one. I loved all this attention he was giving me. I knew that I had already fallen for him, even when he was mean to me. But now it was like I had fallen for him all over again, and much harder. I wasn’t sure how he felt about me now. I could only hope that he accepted me as more than just a fuck buddy now. Today was Saturday. Maybe when we went back to school on Monday he would announce me as his mate to everyone. If he did then I would know he was serious about us. If he didn’t then… I don’t wanna think about it. 

My mind then drifted off to Jake. Why was he acting so weird? He called me 53 times and sent me 119 text messages. Nolan was right, that sounded a little stalkerish. I could understand if he was worried but Lexi was his sister. He could have always called her and asked her about me. Maybe I was some to blame for leading him on and not telling him that I had a mate. 

“Baby doll, were here.” Nolan’s voice broke me out of my deep thinking. I looked around to see we were in the parking lot of a nice little diner. We both climbed out of the car and walked over to the door. As I reached my hand forward Nolan pulled it back. 

“Ah ah ah, I’m trying to be a gentleman today.” He opened the door up and stood to the side, signaling for me to walk in. 

I giggled, “Thanks.” I walked in, Nolan following behind me. I looked around the diner. It was very small and cute, I liked it. 

An old woman with a dirty apron around her waist suddenly walked over to us. “Nolan!” she yelled, pulling him into a hug. 

“Hi.” he said, pulling out of the hug. I stood there awkwardly, wondering who this woman was that seemed to know him. 

“Long time no see. I’ve missed my little cookie monster around here. You’re all grown up now, don’t have time for your old grandma huh?” she said. 

Oh, so this was his grandmother. 

“Yeah sorry bubbie. I’ve just been busy with school and stuff.” 

She laughed, “Right, you mean with girls!” She turned to face me and smiled. “Well she’s a beauty! Cookie monster, how rude of you not to introduce me to your friend over here. Hi, I’m Carol, Nolan’s grandmother.” 

I smiled, “Hi, I’m Emery.” I reached my hand out to shake hers but she pulled me into a hug instead. I patted her back awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable. She pulled back and smiled at me. 

“Bubbie, this is my mate.” Nolan said. 

Carol’s eyes flicked back from me to Nolan before settling on me. In a split second she had me in a hug again, crushing me to her. “Oh my god, welcome to the family! Oh my god! Oh you’re so pretty, you guys are gonna have the cutest babies! Oh my… I-I’m gonna be a great grandmother!” 

I managed to release myself from her arms. Her eyes were filled with tears that she quickly wiped away. Nolan sighed, “Bubbie please, don’t talk about babies. Were only 18.”