EDITED VERSION: Chapter Twenty-Six

Samara and I were sitting at a table in our usual Starbucks by the university. School started a couple of weeks ago and my friends and I have no classes together. None. So to make up for not seeing each other as frequently, Sam suggested we get a coffee and some lunch at least twice a week but since she made that suggestion, we have been seeing each other every day.

"So, guess who is officially off the market," my best friend hummed as she took a sip of her coffee.

I thought for a moment but couldn't think of anyone in particular. Scrunching my eyebrows, I looked at my friend. "Who?"

"Me!" she squealed, clapping her freshly manicured hands together. "Hayden finally made it official. I mean, we went out on a few dates but he wouldn't commit so I went out with Xavier from my journalism class, which drove Hayden nuts. Afterward, he said that he didn't want to be with anyone else and finally asked me to be his girlfriend."

I grinned, happy that my friend had gotten herself a boyfriend. I knew she had a huge crush on him, but aside from that, she never had given me many updates until now. "Well, that's great! I'm happy for you."

"Thanks!" She replied, still smiling like crazy. "Speaking of which, have you and Nathan made it official?"

I smiled to myself, thinking of mine and Nathan's date. Since then, we haven't gone out on super fancy dates, but we have a lot of movie nights and small dates at Ed's. "Well, no. We haven't confirmed it," I said, using air quotations around the word confirmed, "But when I date, I don't usually date multiple people. As of right now, Nathan is the only guy in my life."

"But are you the only girl in his?" She asked, taking a sip of her tea.

"I-" I started to say but I cut myself off. Was I the only girl in his life or was he still seeing other people? I shook my head at the thought. After all the careful planning that went into our first date and the others that followed, there was no way he'd be seeing other people. "I think so. I mean, I haven't seen him with anyone else."

Samara smiled. "Good. Because if he hurts you, I'll kick his ass."

We both laughed after she said that. I had no doubt in my mind that she would, even if he simply looked at me the wrong way, he'd be a goner with Samara. Cutting our laughter short, Sam's phone began to ring. When she saw the name on her screen, her face lit up. "Hey, what's up." The voice on the other end spoke and Sam's smile grew wider and wider as they went on. "Sounds good, see you at seven!"

She hung up the phone and carefully placed it on the table. "We're going on a double date."

"Who is?" I asked, confused. Like ten minutes ago she was going on about Hayden and now she's going on a double date?

Sam rolled her eyes. "Me, you, Hayden, and Nathan. Hayden called Nathan before he called me and apparently your man already agreed to it."

I gulped slightly. A double date. With Samara and Hayden. Despite our successful first date, I had never been on a double date, and usually, those have a reputation of being awkward, which I really hope it wasn't.

***

Later that night, I attacked the punching bag as hard as I could while Nathan walked around me in circles, inspecting me. Getting dizzy at his actions, I sighed. "Why are you doing that?"

"Doing what?" Nathan mused.

I rolled my eyes and waved my hand in a circle. "You know, the whole walking around me in circles, it's distracting."

Nathan crept up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "I can be more distracting if you'd like."

His breath on my neck caused me to shiver and I sunk into him, feeling the hardness of his chest. I closed my eyes and sighed. "As much as I'd like that, we haven't been here in a while and we should practice."

"We've been practicing for hours, your punches, your kicks, your everything is perfect," he murmured against my neck. "You're perfect."

I wiggled out of his grip and began to take off my gloves and wraps. "Alright, you've convinced me."

***

When we got home, I hopped in the shower. I felt completely disgusting after being at the gym for so long. Not only was the gym itself dirty, but I had sweated so much during that workout, I didn't want to go any longer without a shower.

Once I was done, Nathan was in my room, lounging on my bed wearing nothing but his sweats. He had a quick shower before me and I could already smell his shampoo as soon as I entered the room. I flopped down on the bed and Nathan held me close to him. "You smell like vanilla and oranges."

I laughed at his comment. "Well my shampoo is citrus and my soap is vanilla, so you're not far off."

He held me tighter if it were even possible. "I love it."

Not responding, verbally, I simply arched my head upwards and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Nathan played with my damp hair and after a few minutes, he sighed. "Why do you still want to learn boxing?"

I was surprised at his troubled tone. "Because I want to learn how to defend myself."

"But you have me now," he said, not in a possessive way, but in a sincere one. "Don't you feel safe with me?"

I pulled back and touched his cheek. "Nate, of course, I feel safe with you. I just want to make sure I can take care of myself. I felt helpless before, I never want to feel that way again."

Nathan nodded his head and his hazel eyes studied me carefully. "Did you know you're the strongest person I know?"

I smiled and poked him in the chest. "Did you know you're the strongest person I know?"

Nathan chuckled and pulled me back into his arms. He held me close, silent for a few minutes before my mind started to wonder about what Samara had asked me at lunch. I had been so positive of the fact Nathan wasn't seeing anyone besides me then, but I still wanted to be certain now. Nathan must have noticed a shift in my demeanour because he tapped my forehead. "Is everything okay in there?"

I laughed nervously as I pulled away slightly, unsure as to how I should approach the subject. Biting my lip, I finally began to speak. "When Sam and I were having lunch, she told me about how she and Hayden are official and then she asked what we were and I didn't know what to say."

"Oh," Nathan said. He brought his arm back and dropped his hand in his lap.

I felt my heart sink a little. Did I already screw this up? God, I'm such an idiot. Wanting it to go back to how it was a moment before, I shook my head. "It doesn't matter if we aren't, we don't need labels or anything. I don't want you to feel rushed."

"Christ, Audrey," Nathan chuckled to himself. "I don't feel rushed at all. I just thought we were official."

Stunned, I jerked my head back. "W-What do you mean?"

"It means," he said, placing his hands on either side of my face. "I thought you were mine and I was yours. You know, boyfriend and girlfriend. But if that's not what you want..." He placed his lips on mine before I could respond, leaving a trail of kisses until he reached my neck, causing me to gasp. "If that's not what you want, I'll just have to prove to you how badly I want it."

I melted at his touch and sighed. "I want to be with you, Nate. I want all the things you do."

Nathan pulled back with a beaming smile. "You do?"

"Of course I do," I said as I flicked his nose. "Why else would I be with you?"

He thought about this for a moment and then gave up, bringing me back into his arms. "Point taken, princess. How does it feel to be my real girlfriend, not a fake one?"

"Hmm," I hummed in feigned thought. After a few seconds, I smiled. "It feels good. Great, even."

***

The next night and several dress shops later, Samara and I were finally ready for the double date. Nathan and Hayden were already at the restaurant because Samara insisted she needed a new outfit so she told them to head to the restaurant that way, she could have the whole cab ride to fuss over minor details. But apparently, Hayden did his research and found this new Italian place he wanted to take Sam to. I mentally gave him some brownie points--Italian was Samara's favourite.

After the tedious cab ride of Samara fussing over her makeup, we finally made it to the restaurant. I took in my surroundings as we exit the car and whistled slowly. It was definitely a fancy restaurant. Looking through the window, I could see on each table were beautiful white table clothes, with a centrepiece of red roses in the middle of them, and there were mini dimly lit chandeliers over each table.

I glanced over at Samara and I noticed behind her that there was even a valet. Shaking my head with a smile, I said, "He must really like you, Sam. I'm pretty sure this restaurant serves royalty."

"To get a queen, you gotta treat her like one," she replied with a wink.

I laughed at her remark as we entered the place and scanned the area, finally locating Nate and Hayden at the back. They already got themselves some beers and they were talking rather animatedly. Boys. As we approached, Nate noticed our presence and gestured for Hayden to stand up. Hayden eyes Samara with a whole-hearted smile. "You look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you, handsome," she smiled shyly. I could see a blush forming on her face and part of me wanted to snap a picture. For someone who is so outspoken and confident, she did look absolutely smitten and it was quite adorable.

Hayden pulled out the chair next to him and gestured for her to sit. She blushed even more at this action and I could tell she was trying to look anywhere but my direction because she knew I'd hold her lovestruck actions over her head like she had been doing with me the past couple of weeks. Hayden smiled as he sat beside her and they began to talk quietly to themselves.

"I'd say you look absolutely stunning but he stole my line," Nathan said, looking down at me with a grin. His hazel eyes had extra gold flakes in them today and his hair was slightly messier than usual, probably from spending most of his day at work. He moved a stray strand over my hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. His hand then cupped my cheek as he continued to look into my eyes. "Instead of stunning, I'll say you're absolutely beautiful."

I blushed a deep scarlet and smiled at the amazing guy in front of me. He put his hand on the small of my back and led me to my seat beside him. Nathan also made it a point to put his chair as close as he could to mine without hitting the leg of the table.

After a few minutes of small talk, the waiter came with some menus. He noticed both Hayden and Nathan had their beers so he shot Samara and me a glance with his dull blue eyes. "My name is Ryan and I'll be your server tonight. Can I start you girls off with some drinks?"

Samara ordered a glass of wine and soon his gaze shifted to me. He gave me a once-over and smirked. "And for you, beautiful?"

Nathan visibly tensed and opened his mouth to say something, but I quickly interrupted, knowing whatever he'd say wouldn't be nice. "I'll have a long island iced tea, thanks."

"Will do, precious," he winked and I genuinely thought I'd vomit. Nothing like getting hit on by some high school kid in the middle of a date.

When he walked away, Nathan muttered under his breath. I didn't hear what he said, but it didn't take a genius to figure out it wasn't good.

A few minutes later, the waiter came back with mine and Samara's drink. When he placed mine in front of me, he winked before he said, "Let me know if you need anything, sweetheart."

Nathan shook his head and then glared at the waiter, who looked stunned. "Hit on my girlfriend one more time. I dare you."

***

Once the dinner was over, Samara and Hayden decided they wanted to go to a late movie. So Nathan and I decided to walk home, seeing as our apartment wasn't too far away from the restaurant. The rest of the dinner wasn't nearly as awkward as I thought it would be. Well, it got better after we got a new waiter. It was strange to see Nathan so protective over me and I started to blush at the thought of him being that way.

Anyway, Samara and Hayden definitely were good for one another, which I was glad about. Samara needed someone good in her life.

"What are you thinking about, princess?" Nathan asked, running his thumb gently on my hand as we walked down the nearly abandoned sidewalk.

"Just about-" my cell phone began to ring, cutting me off mid-sentence. Knitting my brows in confusion, I answered my phone. "Alex? Why are you calling from the house phone?"

Alex sighed on the other end. "I thought I'd stop by the good ol' mansion. Almost forgot what it looks like. BTW, nothing has changed."

"Okay," I responded slowly, still feeling utterly confused as to what was happening. Nate stopped walking and looked at me with concern but I gave him a small smile so he could see I was fine.

"I decided it's time," my sister stated, nothing bothering to elaborate.

"Time for what?"

"To sell the house!" She replied with such enthusiasm it stunned me.

My jaw dropped open and I stopped in my tracks. "Alex, what the actual fuck?"

"Oh c'mon," she groaned and I could tell she was rolling her eyes. "You agreed we'd sell it at some point. You're in Toronto, clearly well established and I decided to finally settle in Montreal. They really do have great bagels."

I got angry at how nonchalant she was about the whole thing. We grew up in that house. Or at least that was the one we lived at the longest. Nathan could sense I wasn't okay so he stood behind me and rubbed my shoulders as a way to calm me down. Leaning into him, I sighed but said nothing to my sister.

"Look," she began. "I know this was going to upset you but we can't avoid this forever and you know if we don't do it now, we never will. Please come home, just for the next week or so. We have to meet with the lawyers and real estate people." She paused but spoke again. "I need you, Audrey."

I knew if I'd argue, I'd only be wasting my time. Whatever Alex wants, she gets. And I knew she was determined on this, if she wasn't, she would have stood down the minute I didn't respond to her proposal.

"Fine," I spit out angrily. "I'll be there by Sunday. But I get first dibs on whatever if left there."

When I hung up the phone, Nathan stepped in front of me, his concern more evident. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going home."