Chapter Twenty- Two: Awkward Food

This was awkward. There was no other way to describe it. I mean, I had felt awkward before, and been in my fair share of awkward situations before, but so far this was taking the cake. I mean, it was weird enough being out in public with Clarke, but being in public at restaurant with Ava and Parker... it was bizarre.

I mean, everyone on this table knew what Clarke and I were up to, well I could only presume Clarke or Ava had told Parker, but I got the impression from him that he knew. They also knew we didn't talk about outside of Clarke's bedroom. Right now Clarke was my boss, not my fuck buddy, but Ava wanted this dinner. She wanted me to get to know Parker more as her best friend. She wanted my approval, and I think she thought having Clarke here would make it easier, but it was the opposite.

"What exactly do you do at college again?" Parker asked. We'd been nearly in silence for a couple of minutes now and we had only been at this restaurant for ten minutes. "I'm sure Ava told me, I just can't remember."

"I major in political science and minor in communications," I answered with a small shrug. "There isn't any real law subjects at school so I do those instead as it still similar. Any law stuff I've done to get me into law school I've done independently."

"I didn't know that," Clarke muttered. He was sitting right beside me. A placement decided by Ava as she obviously wanted to sit next to Parker, but it meant I could easily not stare at Clarke.

"Yeah," I shrugged. "You can't really learn law outside of law school for a college student. These are good anyway, they help with public speaking and stuff."

"Right, I guess that makes sense," Clarke nodded learning back in his chair.

I sighed heavily and turned to Ava and gave her a look. The small talk wasn't working, she needed to do something, and I think she got the hint.

"Right, whilst I'm sure Rory's school life is very fascinating. Parker's is too," Ava assured me, nudging Parker a bit. "Tell her what you do...well more accurately what you're starting to do."

"Oh, right," he nodded straightening up. "Well, I'm starting a business."

"You are?" Clarke asked surprised, leaning forward. "I thought you were going to work with your old man?"

Some friend Clarke was at the moment.

"I thought about it, but I can't stay I enjoy working as a stock broker," Parker explained. "So, I'm using my trust-fund money to start a clothing business instead."

I wanted to roll my eyes at the words trust-fund but managed to hold it together as I knew it would be rude. I could see however Ava was proud of him though. It was obviously a step Parker wanted to take and I had a feeling Ava pushed him into it.

"That's great news, man, congrats," Clarke smiled as he held out his hand they did a little man handshake, high five thing.

"It gets better though," Ava said proudly. "I'm going to help him design some of the clothes."

"Wait, seriously?" I asked her surprised.

"Yes seriously. I should put my community college knowledge to work...even if I didn't finish it," she told me calmly.

Whilst Ava didn't hate working a nine to five job, her passion was fashion. She went to community college briefly a while back now but it didn't work for her. She learnt a few things about creating clothes and what-not though, anything else she taught herself. She was quite good at it when she wanted to be. In the last year she hadn't made a single garment. She put it down to working full-time at the hotel, and her life being too stressful. I knew it was because she felt defeated that she wasn't getting anywhere with it. Maybe Parker was that kick up the bum she needed because God knows Ava has never listened to me.

"Well, that's great news," I said calmly to her. "Is that what you wanted to tell us? I'm pretty sure this dinner included news, did it not?"

"It did," Ava smiled, glancing at Parker. "Other than that, Parker and I are now official. He's my boyfriend now."

Ava hasn't had a proper boyfriend in a long time. Like a long time. She wanted it though, she always did, she could just be picky, so this was a big deal.

"That's great news," I said genuinely, smiling at both of them.

"Well, I think so too," Parker said proudly, putting his arm around her.

"I just wish it hadn't been so awkward when I told you," Ava admitted.

I glanced at Clarke who was now looking at me too. We knew we were the reason it was awkward. In the bedroom we weren't awkward at all, and at work we could be a little awkward trying not to cross each other. Now, we didn't know how to be around each other at all.

"Well, we all know the reason for that," I said with an eye roll. "I'm happy for you too, okay? Let's focus on that tonight please. Besides I'm absolutely starving."

Finally getting my hands on some food was absolutely heaven, and it helped distract me from how utterly annoying Ava was being tonight. I'd knew why she was being like this though, it was obvious to me. She had gotten herself a boyfriend and she was suddenly reminded of what it was like to have someone and she wanted me to realise the same. What she didn't realise is I was happier with the way things were.

"Hmm, so Parker is also secretly a great cook and has offered to make something for your birthday, since you don't want to do anything."

Ava had been rambling on whilst we ate about all the things Parker was good and how their dates had been and I had mostly been half listening, but now she caught my attention, and Clarke's too.

"Wait, what?" Clarke asked, interested but confused too.

"Oh, yeah it's Rory's birthday this week, didn't she tell you?" Ava said surprised.

"No, I didn't," I said through my teeth, glaring a little at Ava. "It's on a Thursday, when I'm not working, so don't worry."

"I still would've liked to know," Clarke muttered slightly.

"Well, you should come to dinner!" Ava said excited. "Yeah, then Parker will know someone else. It's only Saturday at our place."

"Ava," I sighed.

"What? You can sleep with your boss but it's inappropriate for him to celebrate your birthday with you?" Ava asked, now slightly annoyed at me.

"Ava," Parker said cautiously.

I rolled my eyes at her before sighing and pushing myself away from the table. "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be back."

In truth, I just needed a minute away from it all. I loved Ava and all and I was happy for her, don't get me wrong but she had this way of shoving her happiness and her lovy-dovy relationship in everyone's face and I hated it. She wanted to throw me and Clarke in a situation where we were forced to be friendly and not just sexual. Really, it was just super annoying what she was trying to do and I was over it.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I spent maybe five minutes in the bathroom and the moment I walked out into the small hallway back to the restaurant someone was waiting for me. I stopped immediately and looked up to see Clarke standing there. He hadn't changed from work and still wore his suit but had it unbuttoned and his tie was off to be a little more casual.

"Yeah, of course, why wouldn't I be?" I frowned, pushing my hair behind my ear.

"It's just...you seemed annoyed back there," Clarke shrugged slightly.

I rolled my eyes a little. "I love her, regardless, I do, but sometimes she can get under my skin. She just wants me to happy and she thinks this...casual thing won't do that for me. She brought up my birthday on purpose, she wants to throw us together in friendly situation so we'll be closer."

"Really?" Clarke asked surprised.

I shrugged. "She likes to scheme, trust me. But...if you want to come, come."

"Do you want me to come?" Clarke stressed.

I shrugged slightly. "I just don't want it to be awkward is all, like this dinner has be. Although it is a surprise party, which I hate, so awkwardness might be better."

"You know it's a surprise party?" Clarke frowned.

"Kieran told me because he knows I hate them," I explained. "It doesn't matter. If you want to come, come, and I'd like you there it's fine."

"I think it might be good," Clarke told me. "I mean, we're better than we were when we met for obvious reasons, but I also think we should work on being friends. Anyway, is that the only reason you're annoying tonight?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?" I frowned.

Clarke sighed when he saw the look on my face. "Ava said...that you got a bit...funny when Alicia and I showed up on TV last night."

I immediately groaned. "Seriously? Wow, why she is trying to make something out of nothing?"

"I mean, you know there's nothing at all with Alicia, and I. She's literally my best friend, the PR team just thought we were flaunting it enough especially after Paris-."

"Clarke, I get it, seriously. You don't have to explain it to me," I stopped him before he could babble on. "Ava is just trying to make me think I have feelings, when I don't, okay? I like what we have and I really don't want to over complicate it. Please don't let Ava get into your head either."

"So...so she wants us to be together?" Clarke clarified with a frown.

"She's big on the whole prince charming, fairy tale type relationships," I explained. "It's why things crashed so hard my with ex. She helped build the relationship up in my head and the break up too. It's just what she's like. I can deal with it, don' worry. Just don't let her get into your head."

"Oh, don't worry she won't," Clarke shrugged it off. "I know where we stand, and I like it."

"Good," I nodded, slightly relieved Ava hadn't blown up everything. "Speaking of which...I really don't want to go back with Ava tonight..."

"Oh, you're coming back with me, definitely. After this terrible dinner, we both need it," Clarke said quickly. "So shall we get this over with?"

We both returned back to the table and I made a conscious effort to not let Ava pick on anything else. Her intentions while annoying weren't crazy considering she just wanted the best for me, but I knew in my heart how I had things now were what was best for me. For the rest of the dinner I tried to focus on getting to know Parker, like Ava originally wanted. Turns out Parker was actually an interesting guy. He had spent most of his time getting in trouble with Clarke and the two had been friends since birth pretty much, since their families knew each other for years. Parker however unlike Clarke chose to go to college and study business and got his act together a little earlier then Clarke, ditching the bad boy life and going to help out his stock broker Dad. He realised quickly that wasn't his ambition though and started working on a business plan, then he met Ava and it all came together. Parker seemed very mature and smart and driven, not qualities Ava always had but qualities she needed, which made them good together. Plus, he really seemed to like Ava. He would smile at her while she spoke, listen to every word and touch her slightly every now again in a loving way. It was kind of sickening.

"Are we going to get a cab?" Ava asked as we finally worked out of the restaurant. The boys had started a conversation together while Ava and I hung slightly back.

"Ah...I was actually going to go with Clarke," I said awkwardly, rubbing my arm slightly.

"Oh!" Ava exclaimed. "Of course. That's fine. I mean, I can take Parker over and it won't be weird. You know how...un-sound proof our apartment is."

"Ah, yeah, I do," I nodded. We had definitely both heard each other at least once when we had a guy over. The reality of cheap apartments in New York.

"I'm...sorry I jumped down Clarke's throat, and yours," Ava added, sighing. "I don't know what came over. I think seeing you two sitting there together got me thinking."

"Its fine," I shrugged. "I know your intentions are wholesome, even if they are annoying."

Ava smile a little looking down. "Thanks for doing this. I think...I really like Parker."

"I think he really likes you," I told her. "Seriously, he couldn't keep his eyes off you all night, and he seems pretty great. Smart, driven...kind."

"Thanks, Rory. It helps to hear that from you," Ava said, looking back up to meet my eyes and smile. "Right, well we better go...and you...have fun."

"Thanks," I rolled my eyes slightly. "You too."

Clarke had one of his drivers pick us up. I was glad it wasn't Trevor this time. Trevor had been driving me to Clarke's place far too often now and there was no way he didn't think it was suspicious. On the other hand, I had been over at Clarke's enough that this was starting to feel more normal than weird.

"So, what did you think?" I asked, Clarke as we walked into his apartment, chucking my coat aside.

"Think of what? Ava and Parker?" Clarke asked me as he watched me walk over to the couch, flopping myself down on it.

I just nodded in response.

"I don't know. They seemed good together," Clarke shrugged, walking over to stand above me on the other side of the couch. "Parker is determined but he always needs someone to give him that extra push, and she seems to be doing that for him."

"I agree," I said, pulling my heels and just throwing them aside. "Ava sometimes isn't determined, so she needs someone who is. They're a pretty good match, and Parker seems cool. A decent best friend you have there."

"He is," Clarke nodded slightly, now glancing past me. "Getting comfortable here, are you?"

I frowned slightly and he gestured towards my thrown shoes and I just smiled. "I figured I've been here enough now. Does it bother you?"

"No, not at all," Clarke admitted, smiling back at me.

"Well good," I said, snuggling myself more into the couch. "Now, tell me you have movies on this TV? I feel like a good action movie where they blow things up. Help satisfy my slight anger I feel towards Ava."

Clarke assured me he would have a movie there we could watch, and he found on where things did blow up. I was surprised how casual he was about a movie on and just watching with me. I thought it might've been a weird since we only really did one thing in particular whilst I was here. I needed a moment before I even thought about though, and movie felt like a good idea which was why I suggested it, plus Clarke had talked about becoming better friends and I felt like this would help.

Maybe the friend's idea wasn't such a bad idea. Considering Clarke and I were getting closer and learning more about each other, people may or may not notice it. If we were friends it wouldn't be suspicious and I wanted to get the suspicion off us at all times. So maybe I could give this friend's thing a shot, or at least try.