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Chapter 29

"You're joking," she said staring at Seth with eyes as wide as saucers. Seth's big smile drooped and she immediately regretted her words.

"Not saying that it's not pretty but Seth," she said quickly trying to cover up her blunder. "How can I wear that?"

"Easy. Your arms go through the sleeves and your head through the hole for the head," Seth replied thrusting the package into her hands. Scarlett stared down at the piece she was holding before looking back up at Seth again.

"I'll send Esme upstairs to help. We leave at seven," Seth said before he disappeared through the hallway. Scarlett stared down at the box he'd given her before she slowly made her way up the stairs and into her room. Once there, she reached into the box and lifted the dress he'd gotten for her out so she could take a look at it.

A sigh escaped her lips as she looked it over. Made with the softest chiffon in an emerald green color, the dress had full sleeves and was cinched at the waist before the fabric fell loose, no doubt all the way to the ground. The neckline dipped in a V, a shape that she avoided wearing altogether, but still remained fairly decent as opposed to bold and plunging. Scarlett looked into the box again and she felt her heart squeeze with emotion as she lifted a black lace scarf with beaded edges. He'd definitely kept everything in mind.

A knock on the door pulled her out of her admiring session and Esme poked her head into the room before she took a step in.

"Mr. Rollins told me to assist you in getting ready for the evening," she told Scarlett.

And help she did. Thirty minutes later, Scarlett was staring at herself in the mirror as if she'd never seen herself before. The dress was a perfect fit and was snug around her. The neckline ended right between her breasts showing just a hint of the cleavage. But her neckline wasn't something she worried about for she had the beautiful black lace scarf wrapped around her face.

Esme had straightened her normally wavy dark brown locks and pinned it up into a bun and she'd done her eye make-up; her brown eyes popping from the hues of green and black that Esme had used on her lids. Scarlett couldn't believe that the reflection she was looking at was her own.

"I can definitely see why Mr. Ambrose brought you home," Esme said kindly as Scarlett slipped her plain black flats on her feet. She was glad she'd decided to bring them with her for they were the only pair of shoes that she liked to wear on special occasions and tonight, regardless of everything that was happening in her life, was a special occasion.

"Thank you, Esme," Scarlett said and the woman smiled in return before she left the room.

Scarlett looked at herself in the mirror once more, making sure her gloves were in place, before she stepped out of her room. She froze with her hand on the doorknob for at the same time, Dean exited his room. His gaze fell on her and he stopped in his tracks. Scarlett felt her temperature soar when his gaze travelled down her body and back up to her eyes.

If she thought he had looked good in just his sleeping shorts, then he looked positively divine dressed in dark grey jeans and a black button down shirt that was pulled taut across his torso; the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. She was barely able to suppress the wince when her gaze fell on his left hand wrapped in white elastic bandage. But as she continued to soak him in, her skin erupted in goosebumps and a shiver went up her spine. Scarlett reprimanded herself when she felt those feelings she'd shut away stirring within her as they stared across the hallway at each other.

"Car's out front, we can leave whenever you're ready," he said nonchalantly and continued walking ahead. Disbelief and disappointment washed over her and Scarlett blinked a couple of times to clear her head. Why did he have to be so detached all of a sudden?

Scarlett shuffled downstairs and found Seth waiting for her near the door. His body was adorned with black slacks and a dark grey shirt; his long two-toned hair pulled into a bun at the nape of his neck. She couldn't help but smile at how presentable he looked as opposed to his rock band shirts she'd seen him in often. Like Dean, his gaze wandered over her before he grinned at her.

"Stunning as always," he said, reaching out and pulling her into a hug. She felt him kiss the top of her head and Scarlett pulled back at him to peer around and see Dean heading out the door.

"I thought it would just be us?" Scarlett said, remembering Seth's words from the night before.

"And I thought it would be rude to leave Deano alone," he replied smiling brightly down at her. He nudged her out the door and Scarlett stepped down the front steps. Upon reaching the black SUV, she slid into the backseat in silence. Dean revved up the engine and they waited for Seth to come out. Scarlett pondered over whether or not she should say something, but when he remained silent and seemed to ignore her, she let the idea go.

"Seth, hurry up!" Dean yelled, honking a couple of times. Seth locked the door and came to the car, climbing into the passenger seat.

"Finally!" Dean said putting the car in 'drive' and steering onto the road. The ride was filled with Seth and Dean's chattering while Scarlett remained with her thoughts, staring out the window. The scenery rolled by idly but she hardly seemed to notice for her thoughts were entirely elsewhere. Or more specifically, they were focused on the man driving the car they were in.

In the ride to wherever they were taking her, Scarlett came to one conclusion: Dean Ambrose was a master at hiding his emotions. He shifted from hot to cold like a light switch. Not once did he look at her nor did he seem to acknowledge her presence. Seth would ask her a question every now and then, but Dean seemed to ignore her entirely. Scarlett knew it shouldn't bother her this much, but it did.

Scarlett climbed out of the car once Dean parked it and she looked up at the building. "The Silk Ship" was written across a black board in fancy calligraphy and she glanced at Seth.

"I thought you said dancing," she said, puzzled.

"I did and this is the best place in town for dinner and dancing," he said smiling brightly. Worry began to eat at her as she returned her gaze to the building. It didn't scream "high end" but it didn't scream "low key" either. If the number of cars were anything to go by, it seemed pretty full.

"This isn't a good idea," she whispered softly to herself. Scarlett jerked when an arm slung about her waist and she looked up into the familiar ocean blue eyes.

"Stop thinking. Just enjoy the night," he told her. His voice was calm and once again, Scarlett felt the stab of confusion at his sudden proximity. As gently as she could, Scarlett unwrapped Dean's arm around her waist and moved closer to Seth as they walked to the building. She couldn't be near him when her thoughts were so confused.

When they entered through the door, Scarlett felt as if she'd stepped back into time as the interior was decorated like the inside of a ship. Wooden planks for the flooring and picnic benches had been substituted for the tables. There were people scattered everywhere and a band played in the far corner, in front of which there was a group of people dancing to the tunes. The restaurant was bustling with activity and the atmosphere was buzzing.

"Table for three?" A woman asked coming up to them. She was dressed in a vintage beige dress complete with a brown belt around the waist and a bandana tying her hair back.

"Private table please," Seth said flashing her his most charming grin. She nodded at him and then led them to a table, or bench rather, hidden behind off-white sheers. Scarlett slid onto the bench and fixed her dress so as to make sure nothing was showing. Dean was the one that reached behind her and tugged her scarf off of her. The moment he did, Scarlett's body shut down and she glanced around herself quickly. But Dean was there. Just like always.

"Hey, hey. It's just us here, don't worry," he whispered gently, his hands holding onto hers. Scarlett looked at him blankly before she shut her eyes and shook her head.

"No. I can't," she said. There were too many people here. If anyone, anyone, saw her like this, the entire atmosphere of the restaurant would be soured.

"Scar, please. Listen to me, you're fine. Nobody cares," Dean hissed at her, taking a hold of both her hands. His eyes bore into hers as he spoke and she fell silent as she stared into the swirls of blue.

"Anything to drink?" The waitress asked coming to their table. Scarlett dropped her face into her hands as Seth ordered a round of drinks for them.

"Please, just relax," Seth asked, his voice filled with care. Hesitantly, Scarlett removed her hands from her face and looked around. Seth was smiling at her in encouragement and Dean was watching her with an unreadable expression on his face.

It took everything in her to not snatch the scarf from Dean's hand and tie it up again. But with the way Dean was looking at her, she had a feeling he knew what was going on in her head.

~oOo~

Dean could practically see her trying to hold herself from grabbing her scarf from his hands and he quickly moved it over to his other side and placed it on the bench. Dean knew he was being selfish, hell, he was probably being the biggest dick in the world right now, but Dean wanted nothing more than to help her feel as relaxed as possible in her own skin.

"Here are your drinks," the waitress said as she placed the three bottles of beer in front of them. Seth grinned up at the waitress and her gaze lingered just long enough to have Dean groan inwardly. He sent a glare towards Seth when the girl left and the two toned man sent him an all too innocent look.

"You should try the pizza here, it's their specialty," Seth said as they looked over their menus. Dean raised an eyebrow at Seth when he pocketed a napkin and received a sly look.

They made quick work of their dinner with Scarlett only nibbling on her pizza. Dean knew she was still feeling as uncomfortable as before and he tried to figure out what he could say that could make her feel more comfortable. But Seth was way ahead of him and he held his hand out to Scarlett. She looked at his hand then at Dean, almost as if she was seeking his permission. The action surprised Dean and he nodded dumbly while making sure that she wouldn't lunge for her scarf.

Her posture was stiff as Seth led her to the dance floor and Dean's hands fisted when Seth's hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. The dance floor wasn't lit too brightly and the band was playing some soft music. The couples were swaying back and forth but Dean could only stare at his best friend and Scarlett. She seemed as stiff as a board and he could see Seth trying to coax her to relax. Dean looked around and found that the people occupying the restaurant were all in their own world and weren't taking notice of their surroundings; far too busy with their loved ones.

His gaze returned to Scarlett and Seth, who was still trying to make Scarlett relax. It took him a while but soon, the tension eased away from her shoulders and she allowed Seth to pull her arms around his neck and lock them behind his head.

A growling noise sounded when Seth's forehead pressed against Scarlett's and it took a moment for Dean to realize that it was him that was making that noise. He was way too close to her, way too close.

There was rage bubbling within him and while Dean tried to push it away, it only came back stronger. That was his best friend that he was getting angry with for no fucking reason. Dean willed himself to calm down and focused his attention elsewhere. The more he looked at them, the angrier he got. There was n-.

"Fuck!" Dean swore loudly when a hand covered his on the table, surprising him. He looked up and came face to face with the woman who only made his blood boil further.

"Are you stalking me?" Renee asked, a tinkling laugh escaping her lips.

"I thought I told you to leave," Dean replied through gritted teeth.

"You told me to leave your house. Not the city," Renee said taking a seat next to him.

"Renee, get the fuck away from me," he hissed.

"Not happening. You and I were always the better pairing, Dean. Even you know that. You can't discard me for an ugly to-."

"I dare you to finish that sentence," Dean growled menacingly. There was a reason the three of them were notorious when it came to their temper and judging by the way Renee recoiled, he knew she had heard the stories.

"Come on, Dean. We're more than a casual fuck," Renee said.

"Dean?"

If someone offered Dean to make Renee disappear in exchange for his entire wealth, he would've given it up because the look that appeared on Scarlett's face pierced him right through his chest. Seth was wearing a sour look and was glaring at Renee while Scarlett had eyes for no one but him.

"Take Scarlett will you?" Seth said to Dean as he waved over the waitress from before. Dean didn't need to be told twice and he was by her side in two strides. She pulled away from his touch but Dean didn't let her get too far away from him for he placed his hand in the familiar small of her back and steered her to the dance floor. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the waitress looking at Seth apologetically and two burly security guards took a hold of Renee to escort her away.

"Casual fuck?" Scarlett asked. Her tone was void of any emotion but all Dean had to do was look into her eyes to feel the gravity of those words.

"I told you what happened between me and Renee was casual and nothing serious," Dean said to her. She shut her eyes tightly when he pulled her close to himself.

"Stop, Dean. Just stop," she whispered faintly. He looked down at her and when she opened her eyes to look at him, speech evaded him. Shining clearly in her eyes was the warmth and affection that he had been dreading to see.

"Why does it hurt me so much to see you with her?" She asked desperately. A lump formed at the back of his throat and Dean couldn't find his voice.

"Why does it feel like someone took a hold of my heart and twisted it?"

He knew the feeling all too well.

"Dean, why does it hurt when you act so indifferently towards me?" She whispered softly. His hands swept from her waist to cup her face and he tilted it up before slanting his lips over hers.

Heaven.

That's what it felt like to kiss her. Her lips were just as soft as the first time and Dean couldn't find it in his heart to pull away. Her surprise was evident from the lack of response but it didn't take long before he felt her lips move timidly against his. The dance was well versed but the euphoria was close to none.

Her lips parted and Dean had to suppress the groan of content as he was welcomed into the hot, moist cavern of her mouth. He all but drank from her mouth like a man crazed from thirst. Fingers dug into her hips, the chiffon doing nothing much to hide the softness that was her. His body was becoming alive as hers pressed against it.

Dean pulled away from her mouth reluctantly to look down at her. From this angle, she looked like a piece of art. Her eyes closed, lips parted and swollen from the kiss he'd bestowed upon her, it was all too much for him and Dean bent his head down to take her lips once more.

Her taste was one he would never tire of, he realized. She was just as unique in taste as she was in her scent and it was torture to keep himself sane and not lose it on the dance floor. Dean tore his mouth away from hers and pressed his forehead against hers.

"It hurts you because it hurts me too," he croaked.

~oOo~

Scarlett felt as if her body was floating. Had it not been for Dean holding on to her, she surely would've fallen on the floor. Her lips tingled, her body was on fire, and her heart was running a marathon. Dean's ocean blue gaze had darkened into two sparkling sapphires and he was looking down at her with the hint of a smile on his face.

"This isn't real," she whispered. Amusement flickered in his eyes and he bent his head down once more to press a chaste kiss against her lips. She stared up at him at total loss for words.

Then she shoved him away harshly.

Survivor Series and NXT TakeOver are happening in Toronto and guess who'll be attending both? (hint: the author of this story)

Reviews are loved! Please review!

- K.