4-Date Night

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Grace’s POV-

My best friend is really the best. We are getting ready for our double date. Liam has made it painfully clear, this is not an indication that he and I are dating. This is a fun outing with our friends. But still, I’ll be seen with Liam freaking Wallace tonight.

“Do you think he might kiss me tonight?” I asked, almost in a dream state.

“Grace, please, please, don’t get your hopes up like that. Liam is not going to kiss you, he already told you, you two are not dating.” She puts her arm around me and give me a hug. “You have a mate out there who loves you. You just have to find him.”

“I know, but I can dream about Liam’s lips on mine, can’t I.” I smile, as we walk down the stairs.

“Gorgeous,” Nic smiles, taking Claire’s hand. She is wearing her signature silk sundress. It shows very little cleavage and falls at her knees. “Completely and outrageously, gorgeous.”

“You are very lovely, Grace,” Liam said, taking my hand. I chose a little more conservative look for tonight. Jeans and tube top, with black heels. Liam is tall, I need the height. We lead Nic and Claire to the car and Liam opens my door. “My lady.”

I giggled, a little. He was so handsome, so polite. Seriously, I was getting turned on. Not good, not good at all. Nic and Claire were in the back seat, making out, as Liam got in to drive.

“Alright, that’s it, stop it, or I’m throwing cold water on you two,” Liam says loudly. “Seriously, she’s my little sister. Adopted or not.”

“Sorry bro. Been a little blocked this weekend.” Nic says, looking at me.

“From the looks of it, you need to be caged. Control a little.” Liam says, rolling his eyes.

Liam hits the radio and it’s country music from the human realm. I didn’t know he liked country music. Learning new things about Liam Wallace makes me happy.

We pull into the putt-putt place about 2pm.

“Okay, so a quick 18, dinner, and that new movie?” Liam asked.

“That sounds like a really fun day,” Claire said, bouncing on her toes.

It’s fun to be out in the spring air with Liam. He helps me putt, because I really am horrible. His touch is nice. I don’t feel sparks, but I’m not 18, so I wouldn’t yet. Right?

Nic can’t seem to stop touching Claire. Several times I’ve seen him kiss her, without warning. He is so possessive. I get it, Alpha Wolf, they are all ‘MINE’ but geez. dude, calm down.

I get Liam alone for a second, while we wait for Claire to play. She has to shake off Nic.

“Hey Liam, can you maybe talk to Nic about space? Claire could really use some,” I say, smiling at him.

“I got this,” Liam walked over and put his hand on Nic’s shoulder. When Nic leaned back, Liam whispered in his ear. Whatever Liam said, ran over Nic like cold water.

Liam made his way back to me and stared hard at his brother.

“Thanks, she is so in love, she would never say anything,” I tell him.

“I mean, I get it, I’ve never felt the mate bond, but I’m told it can be all consuming.”

“I can’t wait to feel the mate bond,” I say, dreaming.

“I hope you are mated to a great person, who will love you the way you deserve.” Liam give me a one arm side hug. It’s a brotherly hug. If he feels anything beyond friendship for me, he has the control of a monk.

We chose pizza for dinner; we all agree on pepperoni. Amazing that we all agree.

Liam and Nic end up having an eating contest, which resulted in 6 pizzas being consumed and Nic losing.

“He beat me,” Nic pouted to Claire, who patted his belly.

“I’d rather an 8 pack, than a pizza gut,” she batted her eyes.

“Okay, the movie starts in 45 mins. Everyone good?” Liam asked, as if he didn’t just eat 3 16’ pizzas.

“Aren’t you sick?” I ask.

“Nope,” he said, holding out his hand for me. He led me to the car. “You okay, bro?”

“Just a bruised ego.”

“Buck up, buttercup!” Liam said, helping me into the car.

Somehow, I found myself holding Liam’s hand in the car. I didn’t think he noticed, until a song came on the radio, and he started singing along.

“Thinkin' I want more than just one night, out here, with you alone,” Liam has a silky voice.

“Who is this?” I ask, hoping he doesn’t let go of my hand.

“Luke Bryan,” he lets go of the wheel and grabs his phone. He drives with his knee, so he doesn’t drop my hand, and uses voice recognition to You Tube “Crash My Party.” “Check this out, look at how he looks at his wife when she comes out in the end. I imagine that is how I’ll smile at my mate the second we meet.”

Claire leaned forward, as we watched the video. She held the phone, so I didn’t have to let go of Liam’s hand. At the end of the video the singers face lit up like a Christmas tree, with the most loving smile.

“Ok, if my mate doesn’t look at me like that, I’m rejecting him,” I say, as my heart swoons.

“My ovaries just pinged,” Claire said, holding her stomach.

“Allow me to help with that,” Nic said, pulling her to him.

“Nic, seriously,” Liam catches his eye. Liam lifted my hand and rubbed his head. He seemed to realize then, that he had my hand, but he didn’t let go.

Claire was smiling, I was smiling too.

+*******************

Liam’s POV

I pull into the movie theater and half of me wants to ditch my brother. I get it, he loves his girlfriend. She is his everything, he is sure, beyond a doubt, that she is his mate. But dude, come up for air.

If Grace was a year older, I would totally be making out with her, but I’m going to be respectful. Her hand fits so perfectly in mine, I didn’t want to let it go. Last night she fit so nicely under my arm, and when I carried her to bed, she was light as a feather. Her scent is beautiful. But I don’t feel the mate bond. Could be she is not ready, and I know that? Could be she is not my mate. She turns 18, 4 days after Claire, so we shall find out in a year.

“So, I know next year, you will want separate parties, but doing the double party next week, as per tradition?” I ask, standing in line for popcorn.

“Yep, mom is cray, cray, as per her normal,” Claire rolls her eyes.

“So, question, you and Nic are mates, what are your going to call your parents?” Grace asks, slipping her hand in mine. I don’t pull away; I catch the girls sharing a look.

I inhale deeply. “Okay. Grace, please remember what I told you about today. I really don’t want you to get hurt. I'm only here for the summer,” I confess.

Grace smiled and squeezed my hand, “I’ll take what I can get.”

“Oh, you are trouble,” I laughed, but squeeze her hand back.

She leaned her head on my arm.

*****************

Claire’s POV

I’ve never seen Liam be affectionate or romantic. But he seems like he can be. I mean, country music and that video. Awwwww. He is normally a hit ‘em and quit ‘em. But today, he is like boyfriend material. He is also his normal big brother self. He has always been big, bad Alpha man. The few she-wolves he dated, were always submissive and clingy. He would complain all the time. Grace is not submissive, or particularly clingy. She is just, in total crush mode.

I like affection, and being close to Nic. But let me freaking breathe.

The movie is great. It’s a comedy, so we are laughing, eating popcorn and having a great time. Nic is handsy, as always.

“Hey, babe, I love you, I get it you’re an Alpha and you love me too, but for the love of the gods, please, let me breathe. Hold my hand,” I offer my hand and he takes it. “Thank you.” I lean on his shoulder, hoping this will calm him.

Monday morning, I’m back at my locker with a dreamy eyed Grace. Liam hadn’t kissed her, but she wasn’t caring. After the movie, we walked in the park downtown. Nic and I slipped away for a make out session, to cool him down a little. Liam walked Grace around the fountain. I have no idea what they talked about, but my girl has been on a high ever since.

“Dude, seriously, what did my brother do to you?” I closed the locker and we walked.

“Nothing, it was just nice, like a dream come true. So, I have a question.”

“Yeah?”

“If you aren’t Nic’s mate, like truly, are you going to reject your mate for him?”

Good question.