Page 34 of Finding Noah
“Icannot believe you did this.” I hissed the words at Christian as we entered the Blue Star diner.
Together.
Because, apparently, we were on a double date.
The hiss might’ve been more effective if I didn’t have to angle my head up to reach his ear.
Tonight, I was going to be the shortest guy at the table. Which really didn’t matter.
Right. Keep telling yourself that.
Malcolm, Christian, and Soren were all a smidge over six feet.
I was well below.
Right. Soren. Because somehow Christian got a hold of the guy’s number, and the next thing I knew, I was being blackmailed into a double date.
How the fuck did this happen?
Oh, right. You had the bright idea that setting Christian up would absolve you of all the guilt you feel about having totally missed that he’s been in love with you for the last twenty fucking years.
Yeah.
That.
“For two?” Gabriella greeted us with a smile. “Nice to see you again.”
“For four.” Christian offered a shit-eating grin. “Double date.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun.” She led us to a booth near the back. “Who should I be looking out for?”
“Dr. Jones, the vet. He’s such a sweetheart.” Christian fluttered his hand.
Oh, for Christ’s sake, you don’t have to go over the top.
“And Soren Johansen. Tall? Cute?” More fluttering—only this time his eyelashes. Seriously, he looked like he had something caught in his eye.
“I know Soren and Dr. Jones. I’ll definitely send them your way.” Gabriella deposited the menus on the table.
Despite my best efforts, Christian managed to get me to slide into the booth first—trapping me between him and the wall. I growled.
“What would you like to have to drink?”
I wanted to ask for a beer. Instead, I asked, “Could I have a cola?”
“I’ll take a sweetened iced tea.” Christian’s unrelenting grin wouldn’t quit.
“Sure. Back in— Oh!” She waved.
I checked over Christian’s shoulder and, great, Malcolm and Soren were walking our way. Both men wore grins to match Christian’s.
Fan-fucking-tastic. Everyone’s happy here except me.Not wanting to be the grump to everyone’s sunshine, I plastered on a smile.
The menpaused at the end of the table before Soren slid in, clearly having figured that since he and I were on thedatethat we should probably sit across from each other. “Nice to see each other in a less-formal setting.”
Malcolm laughed. “Do you run your puppy classes like military training?”
“That’s hilarious.” Christian chuckled. Just a little too loud. A little too forced. “Noah’s classes are great fun. He’s so good with the dogs. I can’t believe we had to leave ours at home tonight. But we tuckered them out, and they were asleep.” He turned his attention to Soren. “We got two puppies today. We were told they were mutts—”
