“OH, SHAWN, you’re so funny!”

Hazel pulled a straight face as she watched the woman sitting beside her best friend, Shawn, forced a laugh and then flirtatiously ran a hand over his wide shoulder. She kept herself from rolling her eyes heavenwards.

This girl must be desperate, she thought. There actually wasn’t anything funny with what her best friend said. She almost invisibly shook her head and raised one of her brows.

She averted her gaze away from the two. She knew it would be very difficult for her to act as if she was really enjoying the evening with her best friend Shawn, and the woman he came with tonight—what was her name again? Carlene? Celine? Corinne? She actually already forgot. But what she didn’t saw coming was how she had to endure sitting through the shamelessly obvious flirting of the woman and pretend as if she doesn’t care at all—one of the many hurtful side effects of having one-sided feelings towards a man she’d known all her life but who only sees her as a sister. And yes, maybe that woman doesn’t know anything about her secret romantic feelings for Shawn, but does she not have any manners? She’s only meeting her for the first time to act like that in front of her, for heaven’s sake!

And besides, why is Shawn letting this woman, who is practically a stranger, to just overtly touch him inside this restaurant full of people? As far as she could remember, he never liked PDA.

Hazel could not remember if Shawn had even mentioned the girl to her. (Ah, yes, Christine! She finally remembered her name now.) She didn’t even know Shawn is exclusively dating someone. When he told her he wanted to introduce her to someone, she never thought he would actually trap her as a third wheel on his date with such a desperate woman. To heck with formalities by him introducing the woman to her because they’re best friends. That’s the very last thing she wants from him!

And Christine does not look like she’s going to stop all her flirtatious actions anytime soon. The woman was not even hiding the hands that are now casually touching Shawn’s knees, even though she knew Hazel could see it.

Does she really have no shame at all? Hazel thought. She could not believe how touchy-feely Shawn’s date was.

She wanted, a few times, to tell her off, but she decided against it thinking it’s Shawn who should be doing it. But he looks like he doesn't even care at all. Was he enjoying it? Well, if that’s the case, then it is all the more infuriating because that Christine woman doesn’t look like the type Shawn should be going out with.

Hazel immediately stopped her thoughts. She chided herself for stepping over the line. Regardless of her emotions, she was also not the one to decide who Shawn should be going out with. Sure, Shawn holds a special place in her heart but that does not give her the right to tell him the person he should like.

Well, now she’s starting to become pathetic again, pining over Shawn. Oh, yes, she knew this would happen eventually. That she’d see Shawn with another woman one day, and he’d even introduce the lucky woman to her. She just wasn’t expecting it was going to happen soon.

He could have at least told her this is what he was planning that night so she would have gotten herself a date and she did not have to be a miserable third wheel between the two of them.

And then, there’s also that stupid sex dream…

Hazel let out a deep sigh.

“Are you okay, Hazel?”

Hazel turned to Shawn when she heard his voice and found him looking at her worriedly. Christine’s attention shifted to her as well. Her flirty smiles quickly disappeared.

Hazel just stared back at the couple. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You sound troubled. Is something wrong?” Shawn asked.

She was about to say something, but Christine got ahead of her. “Oh. I’m so sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable, Hazel.”

Wow, she thought. She’s quick-witted after all.

“No. I’m fine. Just something crossed my mind,” she answered.

Shawn’s handsome brows knotted. She decided not to give it a thought. Let the man think whatever he wants to think of now, he can say whatever he wants to say after this night is over.

“So, anyway, Hazel, how long have you been friends with Shawn?” She heard Christine ask her shortly.

Good, now she’s including her in their conversation. Not that she needed it.

Hazel looked at the bottom of her glass, poked the ice with the straw, obviously not bothered to answer. When she quickly looked up, she saw Shawn looking at her, scolding her silently.

Oh, don’t start it, Shawn. She wanted to tell him. It’s bad enough that I’m spending my Friday night third-wheeling with the two of you.

Shawn answered the question. “Um, we’ve been friends since childhood. We grew up together.”

Christine just nodded, then smiled. “You’re more like siblings then? You know, I used to worry about dating a guy with a female best friend because don’t they always end up together eventually anyway?”

Shawn assured Christine with a smile. “That’s very unlikely to happen to us. Hazel’s really like my sister.”

Hazel froze and the straw bent between her fingers. Do you have to rub it in?

She really just wants to leave the two of them alone. The night is officially ruined for her anyway. Nothing that Shawn can do or say will fix it.

“By the way, are you seeing anyone right now, Hazel?” Christine asked.

She just shook her head. “No. I’m not.”

“I always think she has very high standards when it comes to guys she would date,” Shawn told Christine.

The latter looked deep in thought. “I see.”

Hazel poked the ice at the bottom of her glass again, bracing herself from walking out of the restaurant to leave the two of them alone.

Over the years, Shawn has been a fantastic best friend to her. But times like tonight, she wished she had not met him as her best friend. Maybe then, she’d be one of the girls who could wrap their arms around his.

Hazel bit the side of her quivering lower lip.