Author's Note: Hey! Sorry it's been a while. I really love writing this story so please let me know what you think!

"You barged in on him in the shower?" Allison's eyes widened. Lydia was doing her best to give Allison the cliff notes version of why she had agreed to go on the double date. She was starting to worry they were taking too long.

"Yeah," Lydia blushed. "I was really mad so..."

"Was he naked?" Allison asked.

"Umm, yes," Lydia tried not to remember the way the water streamed down Stiles' body.

"Are you sure you don't like him?" Allison asked.

"Gross." Lydia waved her hand dismissively. "He's not my type."

"You don't like cute guys?" Allison questioned incredulously.

"I don't like guys who only care about themselves."

"From what you're saying, it sounds like he cares about Scott. Enough to pretend to go out with someone he doesn't even like. Which is pretty nice." Allison grinned at her.

They walked out of the bathroom together.

"Don't worry," Lydia told Allison. "Stiles and I will find a discrete way to leave so that you and Scott can be alo-"

But she stopped mid-word because Scott and Stiles weren't the only ones at the table.

Lydia froze, Stiles could see how shocked she was and felt a twinge of guilt. There was no way he could have known Jackson and Cora would show up, he never ever could have planned for this. But still.

"Hey ladies," Stiles gave Lydia what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

"I hope I didn't take your seat," Cora gave Lydia an icy smile as she scooted closer to Stiles.

"Nope," Lydia shook her head, smiling wide, and taking her spot across from him. She did everything she could to keep the fear and anger out of her voice.

"I don't think we've met," Allison said, eyeing Cora and Jackson suspiciously.

"Jackson Whitmore," Jackson said, his eyes raking down Allison's body. "Captain of the lacrosse team."

"Co-Captain," Scott reminded him through gritted teeth, clearly not liking the way Jackson was looking at her.

"Right," Jackson said, eyes still fixed on Allison. "How could I forget?"

"I'm Cora Hale," and even though she was introducing herself to Allison, she kept her eyes fixed on Lydia. "Stiles' ex-girlfriend."

Cora had never been possessive when they dated. She'd been distant. She always blamed it on family stuff, but after a while Stiles realized she was just using that as an excuse to avoid him. But after Stiles ended things with her, it seemed like she became the enemy of every girl who talked to him. If she found out this date was fake, she and Jackson would never let Lydia live it down. And that definitely wouldn't help Scott with Allison.

"Nice to meet you," Allison gave both of them a tight smile.

"Stilinski was just telling us you four are out on a double date," Jackson smirked. Jackson was perpetually smirking.

"Yeah," Stiles confirmed, glancing across the table at Lydia and giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

"I didn't know you guys were going out," Cora eyed them both suspiciously.

"What can I say?" Stiles did his best to ease the tension. "Lydia kinda swept me off my feet."

Lydia laughed, and Stiles was pretty sure it was a real laugh. Maybe she was starting to hate him less.

"I hate to be that girl," Lydia gave the table an apologetic smile. "But Stiles promised he'd dance with me and this is the song I picked on the jukebox, so..."

Picking up her hint, immediately, Stiles stood up.

Lydia shot Allison a look and, without pause, she blurted out "Wanna dance?" causing Scott to almost choke on his water.

"Sure," he gave her a goofy grin and followed her to the dance floor like a puppy dog.

Lydia wracked her brain for possible excuses to leave. Stiles reached for her hand and she flinched instinctively.

"Sorry," she said before taking his hand tentatively. This was the first time a guy had ever tried to hold her hand.

"I checked my phone and that new romantic comedy is playing in half an hour at the theatre in the mall. I got us four tickets." He took her by surprise, spinning her around. He pulled her back towards him and she practically slammed into his chest. Her cheeks flushed.

"Sorry, I'm not really a dancer," she looked down at her feet, cursing her heels for robbing her of her ability to walk, let alone dance.

"Eh, I like you for your mind," Stiles grinned at her and suddenly Lydia felt very warm. She may have actually giggled. What the hell?

"So, the movie? Does that seem like a reasonable excuse?" he asked, seeming like he really cared what she thought.

"Yeah. Yes. I think that's a great idea, Stiles."

"I should have known Jackson would show up. He hangs out here all the time. And don't show Cora that you have any human traits or weaknesses because she'll find them like a heat seeking missile. I just really hope this doesn't screw up the date. I can practically see Scott's flop sweat from here and-"

"It'll be fine," Lydia cut him off. "There's no way you could have known he'd be here. And the movie thing is genius."

"Genius?" he asked and she immediately regretted complimenting him.

"Shut up, Stilinski," she rolled her eyes.

"Lydia Martin thinks I'm a genius."

Lydia caught Jackson and Cora looking at them. Jackson looked nonplussed and Cora was verging on homicidal. Lydia wound her arms around Stiles neck.

"We have an audience," she told him in a low voice so he head to lean in to hear her.

"Let 'em look."

And, for the rest of the song, she did.