“I’m counting on you to let the guy know then,” Stark said. Kyle could practically hear the huge white grin on his face. “You’re the best, man! See you tonight!”
“See you.”
When Stark hung up, Kyle glared at his phone for half a minute before throwing it across the room and feeling satisfied at thethumpit made when it hit the wall.
* * *
Kyle didn’t knowwhat to wear. Whatwereyou supposed to wear when you accompanied your love interest on a date, but it wasn’t even a date with you but someone else you set him up with for some goddamn reason?
He ended up throwing on a simple blue button-up shirt and black pants. Chase had made plans to meet in front of Kyle’s apartment so they could walk to the restaurant together, which wasn’t too far away.
The middle ring of Whitewood territory had gotten a contemporary overhaul since Killian became the king. La Bistro was just one of the many new human-inspired restaurants in the town. Kyle had never been there either - he didn’t go out much since he didn’t have anyone to accompany him - but he was impressed by the look of the building.
“This must be the place,” Kyle said.
Chase nodded, looking up and down at the building’s renovated facade. “Super expensive looking. Is the alpha paying?”
Ignoring the surge of irritation, Kyle looked around for any sign of Stark. He was usually a stickler for being on time - both at work and during his off-time - so with every minute that he didn’t appear, Kyle began to worry.
Finally Stark appeared from behind the corner of the street. He jogged lightly and then slowed to meet them. “Hi there,” he said, slightly breathless. His eyes met Kyle’s first, flashing with happiness. “Looks like you got here before me.”
“Looks like it,” Kyle said, trying to ignore the twisting feeling in his chest whenever Stark gazed at him like that.
Stark turned his gaze onto Chase with a big grin. “And you are…?”
Chase extended a hand. “It’s Chase. Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands while Kyle looked pointedly away.
“Well then,” Stark began. “Shall we go inside? I’ve got a table reserved.”
“Sure,” Chase said. “Let’s see the place.”
They entered the restaurant, which was busy and bustling with people, noise and the scent of food.
“Party of three?” the hostess asked.
Kyle suddenly felt horrendously awkward and out of place. He was already regretting the decision to join Stark and Chase on their first date. What the hell was he thinking? Then he recalled Stark’s voice when he’d asked him to tag along.
Thatwas what he had been thinking.
In any case, it was too late to back out now. As the hostess led them to their table, Kyle stood there as he tried to figure out which seat would be the least awkward to take. Next to Stark would have been nice, but then it might seem like they were interviewing Chase for a job or something.
But on the other hand, if he sat next to Chase, he would end up feeling disgustingly jealous at being so close to the other omega as he talked to Stark about becoming a couple.
There was no way he was putting himself through that hell. Kyle sucked in a deep breath and sighed before taking a seat next to Stark.
“Well…” Stark began, facing Chase. “I hope the place is nice enough to your liking.”
Kyle wanted to roll his eyes.To your liking? Why was Stark talking like that?
Chase gazed around the dining room and nodded slowly. “Yeah, it’s a fancy place. Never been here before.”
Kyle noticed Stark fidgeting with his fingers under the table. “So… How do you and Kyle know each other?”
“Oh, we met through Scout, actually,” Kyle interjected. “Chase was his old roommate before he got together with Killian.”
“Yeah, I miss that guy,” Chase said. “Glad everything worked out for him, though. I can’t believe he ended up with the prince - er, king now, I guess.” He leaned back in his seat as he sipped his water. “Don’t you and Killian know each other too, Stark?”
