Page 146 of Solanum

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I answered, but couldn't bring myself to draw my eyes away from the quartet headed our way. None of them spoke to each other, turning the situation up a few risk levels.

Nora followed my gaze to the men, remaining unreactive. My heart slammed in my chest, and adrenaline rushed me, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up with the rush of it. All four of the men walked past us, parting in pairs to move around us in the center. I pulled Nora in front of me, then turned around to watch them. She followed my motions and looked back at them. One of them glanced back, the same one who eyed Nora initially. He smiled when he caught her eye. A casual half-smile landed on her mouth, marking the generic return greeting when making eye contact with a pleasant stranger. She moved closer to me anyway, seemingly unaware, or mildly aware of the threat.

All of the people walked off without incident, and the man who smiled returned his focus to his friends. We passed the larger group of chatting companions and arrived at the front door of Owen's.

Despite the lack of reaction or eventfulness, my shoulders remained tight and my heart continued to beat with annoyance. Nora looked up at me when I wrapped my arms around her. Her arms encircled my waist, and she leaned her head on my shoulder.

"What's wrong, Car? You're anxious."

"I didn't like how they were looking at you," I said, securing my weapon again.

"Those guys?" Her brow furrowed while her fingers landed on the front of my belt.

I nodded, glancing up and down the sidewalk to make sure they weren't doubling back.

"They were checking you out," she said, a small smile accompanying it.

"No, baby. They were checking you out and I don't like it."

"They were checking us both out. Hand-holding queer women are appealing to college boys," she said, her tone matter-of-fact, but her brow narrowed with concern. "Car?"

"Yeah." I drew in a slow breath then brushed my knuckles over both her cheeks. "You're probably right…"

"Am I though?" Nora's expression darkened. "Clearly, I'm not one to assess or react appropriately to threatening people."

"Nor—"

"He could've been a sociopath and I wouldn't have noticed for a year." The dig she tossed at herself soured the situation further and she glanced down the street into the nothingness.

"Thing is, Nor, you might've missed one sociopath, but now, you'll never miss another. Know why?" I used my finger under her chin to guide her back to look at me.

"No," she said, pursing her lips after.

"Because now, every new person you meet will start out as a sociopath. You'll suspect every single one of them, look for signs or evidence of such. Instead of uncovering sociopaths, you're going to uncover the good people, and see the bad sooner. You said it yourself not that long ago, you're compromised in a manner that will actually be helpful to you and your safety. Everyone is dangerous, until they prove they aren't." My monologue ended with a heat I never intended to deliver in the middle of the sidewalk. "You're going to question their motives and analyze their behavior immediately. Like you just did. You knew that guy was checking both of us out. I thought he was coming to murder us with his buddies. Who was right?"

"I didn't think about it like that…" A thoughtful expression washed over her face, lifting her rosy cheeks and sending her mascara-lined eyes glancing to the left while she considered my statement. "I guess I was… Unless they come back to murder us later."

"Time will tell." I smirked and rubbed her arms. "Let's go inside."

"'Kay. I'm still starving. Despite our potential murders."

I chuckled and pulled open the door for her. She stepped in first, tossing a smile at me over her shoulder.

Owen's restaurant crowded with diners seated in various groups. The server approached us then led us to the party of about twenty gathered and chatting in the back of the dimly lit room beside the dart boards and pool table. People of all shapes and sizes shared drinks, appetizers, games, and conversation.

"Hey, Beast," Samirah's sultry tone snatched my attention immediately.

We turned around to see her and Marley hurrying in. Marley, clad in a casual pair of jeans and a sweater, appeared nothing like the woman who loved to scene. Sam wasn't a beat behind in a similar outfit, save for her boho tunic. She approached, flicking the collar of my blouse before leaning across me to smooch Nora's cheek.

"Hey there, sweet stuff," she said when they embraced.

"Hi, Sami." Nora's cheeks burned pink, and it made me chuckle. "Hi, Marley."

"Hey, girl." Marley hugged her and Nora's smile broadened. "You look good."

"You, too. I'm happy you're both here." Nora's anxiety, whatever it's manifestation, seemed to fade away with the arrival of our friends.

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