LOVING THE MADMAN

Across the Diner

“He just looked at you again,” Stacy whispered, sipping her smoothie and glancing at her watch.

“Stace, for the love of God, I don’t care,” I lied. “What time did they say they’d get here again?”

“Ten minutes ago.”

“Ugh, I’m so nervous. I hate this plan of yours." I complained, stirring my drink. "You know how much I hate blind dates.”

“Relax, it’ll be fine,” she chuckled. “Wanna go through his pictures again?”

“No. I'm good.”

We were at a diner, waiting for two men. Stacy's plan had involved them—Rick, her friend-with-benefits, and his single friend, Landon, who Stacy thought I might like.

So, together, she'd set us up for today.

A few tables away, Troy sat alone. As Stacy’s bodyguard, he needed to stay close.

“Hey,” she said, leaning toward me. “I heard he’s only staying for five months.”

“Who?”

“Troy. It’s not a long-term gig. His deal with my dad runs just five months. Strange, huh?”

“Yeah. Strange,” I agreed, my brows drawing together. “Do you know why?”

She shrugged. “Nope. Dad and Killian won’t spill.”

“Whatever,” I said, shaking my head. “Not like it’s any of my business,” I lied again.

I was still dying to know why he was doing this. Even if Zephyr had sidelined him as punishment for Brock’s incident, he didn’t have to work for Huck. That was his choice.

Plus, this meant he’d be gone before Killian’s event even happened.

Rick and his friend strolled in, making their way toward us.

“Hey, ladies,” they greeted warmly.

Stacy got a kiss on the cheek; I got a handshake. We switched, and Rick’s friend, Landon, greeted me. “Athena, right? Stacy’s told me about you,” he said with a dazzling smile, leaning to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. “Boy, you are beautiful.”

The moment his lips touched my skin, I felt Troy’s eyes on me, like the gaze of a predator from across the room.

My pulse raced as I plastered a smile back at Landon. “Thank you so much.”

He slid into the booth beside me, while Rick and Stacy sat across from us.

The conversation kicked off with Rick telling us how he and Landon met in college through a very peculiar situation that had us all laughing. According to him, there’d been a mix-up with the rooming system during freshman orientation, and they’d both been assigned the same dorm room.

Rick wasn’t expecting a roommate, so when the door swung open in the middle of the afternoon, he’d just stepped out of the shower stark naked.

“I open the door,” Landon narrated, laughing, “and here’s this guy, dripping wet, towel nowhere in sight, yelling at me like I broke into his room.”

Stacy burst out laughing so hard she nearly choked on her drink. “Oh my God.”

Rick groaned, covering his face. “Can you blame me?”

He looked at Stacy. “I’ve never moved so fast in my life. I just grabbed my towel and bolted back into the bathroom, leaving Landon standing there with his bags in shock.”

“It was the most awkward sixty seconds of my life,” Landon added with a grin. “But we’ve been friends ever since.”

I laughed shortly, brushing back my hair. “I can't imagine bonding over a naked ambush.”

Landon smiled, taking a sip of his drink. “It's the absolute worst.”

While Rick and Stacy kept joking about something else, Landon leaned closer so we could have our own private conversation.

“So what about you?” he asked curiously. “What’s your story when you’re not being dragged to blind dates by Stacy?”

I shrugged casually. “Design apps. Make beauty content.”

“Design apps?” He tilted his head in interest. “What sort of apps?”

“Any kind actually, but mostly related to fashion and beauty content. It’s my thing.”

“Wow.” He smirked, pushing the dark brown curly hair out of his eyes. “Beauty and brains. That’s rare. Love it.”

I laughed softly. “Thank you.”

Stacy, obviously eavesdropping, leaned across the table. “She’s underselling herself. Athena’s a total wizard with this stuff. She's sold over five apps to huge companies already. Ever heard of TrouveTon Style?”

Landon’s eyes narrowed as he pondered about it. “I think so. Didn’t Maison du Lys make a huge announcement about launching it a month ago?”

“Yes,” Stacy said proudly. “She designed it.”

Landon looked at me, surprised. “Are you for real?”

My cheeks burned, and I shrugged. “Yeah.”

TrouveTon Style was an AI-driven assistant that recommended outfits and cosmetics from Maison du Lys, a powerhouse in luxury fashion and beauty, based on customers’ photos. It was one of my best jobs yet.

“Don’t let her modesty fool you, she’s basically the female Tony Stark. Except she's more reserved,” Stacy continued. “She could build you an app in her sleep.”

“Okay, that's giving me way too much credit,” I laughed, rolling my eyes.

Landon grinned. “I’m impressed.”

The sincerity in his voice made me blush even harder, and I smiled back at him.

Dessert arrived, and across from us, Rick made a loud comment about the menu, but I didn't even listen to him. The air between Landon and me had changed; we were in our own little bubble now.

“So, what do you do?” It was my turn to ask.

“I'm a photographer,” he replied casually. “Mostly wildlife. But I really enjoy taking pictures of our kind in their full forms. We're such beautiful creatures, you know?”

“I nodded.”

“You should come see my work sometime.”

“I'd love to.”

He smiled at me.

I’d known Landon wasn’t human the moment he stepped in with Rick. Werewolves recognized our own by scent alone.

“So, what pack do you belong to?” I asked, cutting into my pie.

“Does that really matter right now?” He replied with a small smile. “I’m far too interested in you, Princess.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh please. There’s not much to know about me. Google will tell you everything you need.”

“That’s the thing.” He turned a bit in his seat so he could face me better. “I don’t want what’s on the internet. I want what’s real. What you don’t give anyone else.”

I raised my fork. “Okay then. What do you want to know?”

He studied me for a long moment, then asked quietly, “If you could describe your life right now in one word, what would it be?”

The answer was on the tip of my tongue immediately, but I held it back, searching my mind for a different truth that didn’t hurt so much. But nothing came.

“Lonely,” I whispered in a small voice. The word had cracked on its way out, and I noticed Landon’s expression change.

The playful curiosity in his eyes melted into something warmer as he reached out to place his palm over mine.

“We’ll fix that,” he said gently, with a smile that made me feel better.

I pretended to glance over my shoulder at the diner’s door, but really, I was looking for him.

Troy sat still.

Though my back had been to him the entire time, I knew his Lycan hearing would have picked up every word spoken at our table.

His black eyes were still intimidating, but there was something else existing there… pity? Empathy? Recognition?

He’d heard me admit I was lonely. And now he knew.

Landon’s voice drew me back. He was already rising to his feet, with one hand extended toward me.

“How about we step out for a bit?” he asked. “These two are starting to do too much.” He tilted his head toward Rick and Stacy, who were still laughing at an inside joke.

“Man, you could at least finish your drink before sweeping her off her feet.” Rick drawled.

“Right?” Stacy chipped in. “Some of us had to work to get her to come out tonight.”

I sighed dramatically. “Geez, you act like I don't come out to get fresh air. Thanks, Mum.”

Stacy smirked. “Make sure you’re back before midnight, Cinderella.”

“We’ll be back in no time,” Landon replied with an easy grin. “Say thirty, forty minutes.” He took my hand in his, leading me out of the booth. “Come on.”

I didn’t have to think twice before going with Landon. I genuinely enjoyed his company and wanted some time alone with him.

Once we stepped out of the booth, Landon’s hand slid to my waist as we headed for the exit. We passed Troy on the way. I tried not to look at him, but I could feel his stare burning into me with every step I took.

If he wasn't working for Stacy's father and hired to protect Stacy, I knew he'd have followed suit.

I guess her master plan to make him jealous was working.

“You alright?” Landon asked as soon as we were out in the open.

“Yeah,” I replied with a smile, taking in a breath of fresh air. I could finally breathe well, without all the tension that accompanied Troy's scrutiny. “Was just feeling a little stuffy, is all.”

“Maybe part of the reason was that stone-faced bodyguard back there. Geez, where'd Stacy find that guy?”

I forced a short laugh. “Hah! I have no idea.”