This one is all from Adam's pov

Not with my Best Friend You Don't

"Adam you know you don't have to spend all day with me, you can go be home with your family. I was crushed when I found out Eli had cheated again but I'm not going to do anything crazy or destructive and we both have family stuff to do for the holidays." Clare tells me as we leave our favorite Thai place where I just treated her to lunch.

"I'm the best friend and I saw how hurt you were I'm not leaving you. Besides Jake isn't coming home and I know if you go home your mom is just going to drive you crazy and you'll call me anyway. Then I'd have to come get you seeing as you'll hardly look at my brother anymore since he started hooking up with Zoe." I remind her.

"Ugh can we not mention that stuck up former celebrity devious bitch!" Clare growls.

"Okay no talk of Zoe but I am spending the day with you, so movie next or you want to look at the window displays?" I question.

"Mmm window displays," she replies.

So we start meandering down the streets, looking at the various shops and looking into the windows. It's snowing and we're both bundled up but we're also walking close to keep warm. Clare stops in front of one shop to watch the window display and then her eyes look up; she seems to be looking at a man's reflection in the glass. He's maybe in his early twenties but sort of vaguely reminds me of Owen. I guess he could be considered attractive, by the smile that curls onto the lips of my best friend I'd say she thinks so. Her eyes glint with a familiarity and almost an excitement, she whirls around and I watch her closely because this guy looks like somebody we should stay away from.

"Lucas!" She exclaims so obviously she knows the guy but I've never seen him, nor have I heard the name Lucas unless Becky is mad at her brother and snapping at him by his full name.

The guy, tall and muscular with a jaw that rounds to a point and sharp brown eyes, looks at her cocking an eyebrow. Then a look of recognition creeps over his expression but his forehead is wrinkled like he can't place her.

"I know you," he says slowly more as a question than a statement.

"Clare Edwards last time you saw me I had glasses and long hair," she explains meaning it's been at least 4 years.

"Oh yeah and no boobs," Lucas blurts out looking at Clare's chest which is hard to miss even through her thick coat but I still glare at him for it. "You babysat for Izzy, I remember now Jane, Mia and Spinner were fond of you and Jay used to hang out with you." Lucas remarks as one side of his mouth creeps into a salacious sort of smile, not an expression I want on an older guy's face when he's looking at my best friend!

The only person this Lucas guy listed that I've heard of before is Spinner, Clare mentioned him once when talking about her sister. I don't usually pay too much attention to the people Clare goes out with; of course most of those people have been Eli. However she has a good head on her shoulders and it's her life, the only time I ever speak up is when I think she's getting in over her head, like going to Vegas Night with Fitz for instance. I just don't like the look of this guy, he's several years older than her and he reminds me of Owen, or Dallas even both of whom I would not want Clare dating and Dallas is my friend. Owen turned out not to be such a bad guy but I still wouldn't want Clare dating him.

"Have you heard from Izzy and Mia lately?" Clare asks him and then looks at me like she just remembered I was here. "Oh Lucas this is my best friend Adam Torres. Adam this is Lucas Valieri," she says but this doesn't explain how she knows him.

"Nice to meet you," Lucas says giving me a smile that I'm sure is trying to win my approval because she just said I was her best friend.

"Yeah sure, how do you know Clare?" I inquire shaking his hand as firmly as I can.

"My sister used to date Spinner and she babysat for my daughter a few times." Lucas explains.

"He's got a kid?!"

"We were going to go to the movies would you like to join us?" Clare offers and I tense up.

Every instinct I have tells me this guy is bad news and I don't want him around Clare. I'm tempted to call my brother and Dallas to get them down here for backup.

"Sounds fun," Lucas grins putting his arm around Clare's shoulders and they start walking toward the theatre.

I narrow my eyes at Lucas' back and clench my fists walking closely behind them. When we get to the theater Lucas pays for the three of us, I'm sure he's doing it to impress Clare. We get in line for snacks and then go in to find seats. I make sure to sit between Lucas and Clare so he can't pull some lame move like putting his arm around her or even kissing her. I'm holding the large tub of popcorn on my lap since I'm sitting in the middle, so they're hands keep reaching over for popcorn. They also keep doing it at the same time so they're hands are touching. After the movie the three of us go for dessert, since I wouldn't get up in the theater I have to use the washroom so I let them order. When I get out and go to the table I find Lucas and Clare kissing over the table!

"What are you doing?! Come on Clare we're leaving!" I tell her taking her arm and pulling her from the table.

I don't care how mad she gets at me I don't like this guy, before I can pull her away Lucas stops me.

"Adam wait, I know you don't think I'm good enough for Clare and you're probably right." Lucas says.

"Good then you won't mind that we're leaving," I say as the waiter brings our order.

"Adam!" Clare admonishes in a harsh tone.

"I used to be a terrible person and I'm sure your instincts are saying to take Clare and run. But please just hear me out and get to know me before you decide to take her. It's true I have a daughter, she lives in Paris with her mom and I only get to see my daughter once a year. I was young when I got my girlfriend pregnant and wasn't around for either of them. It's the biggest mistake I've ever made and I regret it. I've made my share of mistakes and I've done some bad things but that's not who I am anymore. I've grown up, I have a steady job and I've learned from my mistakes." Lucas pleads his case to me as I sip my hot chocolate and eat my cookie.

I look at him and he seems sincere, I look at Clare and see the look of excitement and affection in her eye, she likes him.

"Call me when you're home," I say to Clare resigning to them.

She gives me a great big smile that lights her eyes, grabs her purse and coat as she stands up. Lucas offers her his arm and they start to walk to the door when she stops and comes back to the table.

"Thanks for watching out for me Adam," she smiles kissing my cheek before taking off with him.