Chapter 36

True to her word, Thea showed up at Makenna's dorm a little over half an hour before they had to be at her brother's place for the double sibling dinner...thingy.

As soon as Makenna opened the door, Thea breezed in and Makenna smiled. Thea had the glitter effect where everything she touched and everywhere she went was brighter after she left. It felt like there was a rainbow in her room.

"You wouldn't believe what I found," Thea placed a tote on Makenna's bed and emptied the bag, "There was this dress just dying to be worn for the first time."

Thea turned around grinning and Makenna waited for her.

"So, why don't you have it on?"

"That's the crazy part." Thea kept her smile on hoping she was able to convince Makenna, "It's in black and I just thought..."

Everything in Makenna screamed no as she had an idea where this was going.

"...Mac would look so good in this."

"Never." Makenna said just at the same time Thea finished her sentence,

"Why?" Thea frowned, "What do you have against dresses?"

"Nothing, I just prefer comfort and pants are it."

"But the dress is black." Thea repeated, "And it's long. It's full sleeves. It's beautiful."

"Stop making that face."

"What face?" They knew what face,

"That puppy...dog...thing."

"Please. Just for tonight." She pleaded, "It's dark out, no one will see you and it's just four of us. We go there and come straight back."

"It's dinner at your brother's, not Sunday brunch."

"Which is why this black dress is perfect."

Thea waited and watched as Makenna began to consider it.

"For me?"

Makenna looked at the contents of Thea's bag to the owner who was doing an amazing job of convincing her. It was not because of any of the points she had made but because she didn't want to disappoint her.

Thea watched as Makenna sighed and she knew she'd won. She felt like she'd achieved the world.

"You could convince an artist to buy their own work."

Thea placed a hand on her chest,

"That is the biggest compliment I've ever gotten."

Makenna felt even more nervous than she had been since she found out that she was going to Atlas' place for dinner. Her stomach turned and she felt like she would puke at any minute.

"Alright, let's get changed and get going."

The dress, thankfully, was just as Thea had described. It was honestly more comfortable than she thought it would be except for the bodice that hugged her. She had to throw her leather jacket over it, however, she didn't mind the skirt which flowed down and stopped a few inches above her ankle. She loved that it didn't hug every part of her body. She paired the dress with combat boots and Thea was ok with it.

All in all, Makenna didn't mind the dress. It was far from what she was used to, but she didn't mind it since it would just be four of them.

Outside Atlas' apartment, Killian waited for Thea and Makenna. He'd arrived not too long ago with a pack of canned beer. He hadn't wanted to go empty-handed for the first time to Atlas' apartment. His parents had taught him that much and he wasn't going to let the condition of his relationship with Atlas change that.

Just then, a cab pulled up in front of the pavement and Killian rocked back on his heels with a smile on his face. He watched as Thea got out and sent the most beautiful smile his way.

Gracious, she's beautiful.

He couldn't help but think.

He loved everything about her. Her smile, her view of life, her brain, her work ethic, her passion for the arts, and those little things she did that made her her. Everything about her was beautiful and her physical beauty was an added bonus.

"Hey," Thea walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Killian wrapped his arms around her waist as best as he could with the pack of beer he was holding.

"Hey, gorgeous."

They pulled back smiling at each other. Killian pulled back even further to give her a once over and his smile got wider.

"You look beautiful," He complimented her, "I love your dress."

"Thank you. And you look just as beautiful."

Killian chuckled,

"Why, thank you."

Thea giggled.

"As much as I love standing here watching the two of you make goo-goo eyes at each other, I'm looking forward to eating this dessert," Makenna down at the bag she was holding,

"Or just excited to see my brother," Thea looked behind her and smiled,

Killian looked at his sister and froze,

"Mac,"

"Killian,"

"Y-you look...nice,"

"Thank your girlfriend,"

Killian looked at Thea who winked at him and he couldn't help but smile. The moment she'd invited him to dinner at her brother's apartment, he knew something was brewing. Then she'd mentioned Makenna was coming as well and he put two and two together.

"Let's get inside," Thea said, "It's going to be an incredible night,"

Makenna doubted it because, for some reason, she was nervous. The custard tart she'd gotten on the way was the only thing she was looking forward to tonight. Although having her brother there was not terrible. But she had a feeling he'd keep to himself and Thea which meant...

Makenna sighed. She didn't want to think what that meant. She was going to get through dinner. Hopefully, in one piece.

They stepped out of the elevator with Thea in front talking to Killian about his relationship with her brother. Makenna walked closely behind having the urge to get back into the elevator and rewind the last thirty minutes. Maybe even the last six-ish hours. She could go back to the moment she was wrung into this thing and talk her way out of it.

They stopped in front of the door and Thea rang the bell.

What is wrong with you?

Makenna asked herself.

This is just dinner.

Right then, the door opened and Makenna gaze was fixated on him as he smiled at Thea.

"Hey,"

"Hi," Thea hugged him, "Hope you have enough because we're all starving,"

"I hope I do," Atlas' eyes followed her as she walked past him into his apartment,

"I got beer,"

Atlas looked at Killian and smiled,

"Just what I was missing, thank you. Come in."

"We should keep that refrigerated," Thea called from inside and Killian headed towards her leaving Makenna with Atlas,

Atlas' gaze finally moved to her and she took a few steps towards the door,

"Hi,"

Makenna smiled,

"Hey,"

Atlas couldn't seem to look away from her. There was something different about her and he couldn't place what it was yet.

"Come in,"

Makenna kept her gaze on his face as she stepped inside his apartment. Atlas shut the door behind her.