Alice POV

It was Friday night again which meant one thing: Cillian’s pub.

I could use the distraction. It’s been almost a week since Elanor’s call but I still felt down as soon as someone mentioned words like “parents” and “wedding”. I guess I must’ve looked as bad as I felt because the moment I sat on one of the stools Cillian asked with a concerned voice:

"Something wrong, kid?"

"Is it that obvious?" Was what I answered.

"Is it serious?"

"Not really."

"Of course it is," Asher intervened, sitting to my right. "She’s been like that the whole week."

"Leave Alice alone!" Caden took the seat to my left. "If she wants to tell you, she will."

I smiled gratefully at him.

"Okay then…" The bartender changed the subject. "What are you guys drinking?"

"The usual," the three of us answered simultaneously.

Cillian served them their beers and I got my soda.

"And since you’re upset, kid, here’s a treat for ya!" He gave me a lollypop.

"Thanks!" I unwrapped it at once. "I’ve been meaning to ask you… How come you have lollypops at the pub?"

"Some people come here with their kids during the day so I thought it will be a good idea to stock up on these tasty pacifiers." He winked at me. "Now you know the drill; just suck on it quietly!"

I laughed at his words while Caden stared daggers at him. Looking around the pub, I noticed a lot of the regulars were here tonight.

"I’ll go around to say hi to a few people." I jumped off the stool. "See you guys later!"

I made my way to the far end of the pub passing by a table where a blond boy stood alone. He checked me out blatantly and a disgusting cocky smirk formed on his lips. Trying to ignore him, I headed for my destination.

"Hey, guys!" I greeted when I reached one of the larger tables.

All of the men and the one woman that sat around it returned my greeting.

"Why don’t you come sit with us?" William questioned, smiling warmly and pulling back a chair for me.

"Oh, Will! The girl must have better things to do than sit with us old people," one of his companions (whose name I couldn’t remember) said.

"Who are you calling old, woman?" Will addressed her feigning anger but his eyes glistened with humor.

"Us! All of the people around this table are at least twice the girl’s age."

"Age is just a number!"

And that sat off the dispute of the night. It was interesting to listen to them. Will and the woman were the ones that spoke most often and both had valid arguments to prove their points. Most of the others just shook their heads “yes” or “no” and grunted every now and then. I kept silent.

"What do you think?" In the end the woman turned to me.

"That you’re as old as you feel," I replied. "Right now I think I’m about twelve," I added, getting up. "Anyway, it was fun but I’m going back to my boys."

"And to get another lollypop," I thought.

"All of them here tonight?" Will asked.

"Nah. Keegan is on a date with some chick."

I waved goodbye to them and headed for the bar. But before I reached it a hand grabbed me by the wrist. Startled, I jumped slightly in the air before turning around to face whoever the hand belonged to.

"Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you!" Said the blond guy that was checking me out when I was heading towards William and his company.

"Okay… Can I have my limb back?" I asked intentionally keeping my voice steady. Something in the way he was taking my figure in made warning bells go off in my head.

"Sure…" he started and flashed me what I think was supposed to be a flirty smile. "But only if you promise to have a drink with me."

"I don’t think so!" I didn’t even hesitate. "I’m here with someone."

"Yeah, with your friends… I noticed that."

Noticed? What? Had this guy been stalking me tonight?

"Actually, one of them is my boyfriend," I lied.

That took him aback and I used this moment of distraction to jerk my wrist out of his grip. I headed for the bar but I could feel the guy’s gaze was still on me.

Only one way out of this situation I guess!

*****

Caden POV

I watched Alice approach us with fast strides. She looked a bit nervous but at the same time determination was lighting her green eyes.

"Got a stalker. Need a boyfriend," was all she said before wrapping her arms around Asher’s neck.

"Okay then."

And with that Ash enveloped Alice’s waist and pulled her closer to him. She leaned into the boy and he buried his face in her hair.

"Which one?" I heard him mutter.

"Behind me. Medium size, short blond hair, blue jeans and a brown jacket," she whispered back.

Sure enough when I turned around I saw a guy a few years older than us. He looked less than pleased and was shooting daggers at Asher. The dude finished his drink in one quick gulp and hurried out of the bar.

"You can stop now, he’s gone," I shot out a bit coolly, taking a swig of my drink as well.

"Thanks, Ash!" Alice smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before scurrying away to probably catch up with some of the people here.

"Anytime!" He smiled back.

"I’m sure you would," I murmured and took another sip of my second drink for the night: scotch.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" He questioned, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Oh, nothing much…" I started rocking my glass, watching the ice move around in it. "Just that you seemed to be enjoying yourself."

"Yeah, right, Caden!" He laughed. "You know Alice and I are only friends."

"If you say so!" I shot back sardonically.

I knew I wasn’t being fair. The boy was right: they had friendzoned each other the moment they’d met. But I couldn’t help acting this way. I was kind of peeved Alice chose him for her fake boyfriend – the one to help her out, and not me. I mean, I’m supposed to be her friend as well, right? I was more intimidating than Asher. So why did she choose him over me?

*****

Alice POV

I was in Asher’s room. Tonight I took the single bed while he and Caden were sleeping on the double.

I twisted in bed. I was getting hungry. But I was also sleepy. Then again, I was hungry. I looked at the time on my phone: a little after two A.M. I really should be sleeping… But I got off the bed and headed towards the kitchen.

I’d just closed the door to the room I was assigned when I heard another one being closed as well. I looked in the direction of the bathroom and saw Caden standing in front of it with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. I tried my best not to gawk at his body but I wasn’t sure it was working.

Damn, the boy looked good!

He saw me as well and froze on the spot. His eyes narrowed slightly and next thing I knew, he took a few quick strides in my direction until he stood directly in front of me. He took one more step forward and I moved back until I felt my back hit the door to the bedroom. Then Caden placed his hands on either side of my head.

"Why him?" He asked leaning down closer to my face.

"Hi, Caden! How are you this fine night?"

I tried to keep my voice careless and not to think how good he looked half-naked and with his hair still damp from the shower he had just taken. It was falling slightly in his beautiful bluish-grey eyes. Eyes that were staring intently and waiting for my answer. What was the question again?

"Why Ash and not me?" Caden repeated as if he had read my mind. I hoped he couldn’t, it was quite a naughty mind I had right now!

I furrowed my eyebrows. What was he talking about?

"Huh?" Was my oh-so-intelligent answer.

"Tonight at the bar. With that guy that was bothering you. Why did you choose Asher and not me for your fake boyfriend?"

"Oh!" I drawled. So that’s what he meant! "Because he looks amiable but at the same time not as someone you want to get into a fight with."

"And what about me?" He exclaimed a little hurt. "Do I look as a friendly guy everybody could push around?"

I chuckled at the way he was taking all this. I should’ve known that ignoring Caden in favor of his friend would deliver a blow to his pride.

"No," I explained. "It’s just that Ash looks like boyfriend material and you have a one night stand aura."

"So that’s it?" He stared in my green eyes, wanting to make sure. "You chose him ‘cause I don’t look like long-term relationship material?"

"Yep," I assured him. "That’s why I choose him."

"Oh!" He relaxed a little and I had the suspicion he was trying to suppress a smile. "Good!"

And with a nod at me he pushed himself of the wall.

"‘Night, kid!" The boy waved once on the way to the bedroom.

"Night!"

I made my way to the kitchen still amused by my friend’s reaction.