A few minutes later, another car pulls in. A man climbs out. Early thirties. Clean shave. New shirt. Too much confidence in the way he checks his watch even though he's clearly early. He straightens his collar, fixes his hair in the window, and walks inside.
Leo. I know this kid's father, and I know for a fact that the son is a lech who already has a girlfriend and several flings on the side. I stood across from him and his father two weeks ago while he went on and on about ‘bagging an item’. He couldn't shut up about her. Great.
I shift in my seat. I've seen men like him on too many jobs—eyes everywhere, charm used like a tool, always ready to talk about themselves for hours. This kind of guy deserves no access to a woman like her.
My hand rests on the wheel, tense, steady. I'm not storming in there. I'm not dragging him out by his shirt. But I'm not leaving, either.
She's in that building, and whether she knows it or not, she has backup tonight.
The engine stays off. The night settles. Cars pass, conversations float from the outdoor patio, nothing unusual. But every part of me stays alert. My muscles stay ready, like my body remembers every mission briefing I ever sat through.
I lean back and stare at the front doors.
She walked in there alone. She won't come out alone if I can help it.
Not because she's fragile or needs saving. She's stronger than me when she needs to be. But I promised myself I wouldn't fail her again, and I'm not going back on my word this time.
I rest one arm over the back of the seat and force myself to breathe slowly. She can have her dinner, talk to this man, and figure out what she wants. But no one in that restaurant gets to treat her like she's a second choice.
Not on my watch.
19
LENA
I know within three minutes that this date is a mistake.
Leo sits across from me in a button-down that still has fold marks on it, like he tore it out of the plastic in the car. His hair is gelled so hard it could survive a tornado. He leans back in the booth with the confidence of a man who thinks every woman on earth wants to sleep with him, and I already feel my soul drifting out of my body.
"So yeah," he says, picking up his beer. "Growing up an Army brat really shaped me. Dad had us moving every year, sometimes twice. Builds character. Teaches you discipline. Teaches you not to get attached." He taps his temple, proud of himself. "That's why I'm so grounded now."
Grounded. Right. He has not made eye contact with me for more than two seconds because he keeps checking out his reflection in the metal napkin dispenser.
I nod once. "Sounds intense."
"Oh, it was," he says, cutting me off before I can pretend to care more. "But it also explains why I'm a catch. Adaptable. Confident. Women love that."
Of course they do. I take a sip of my soda. No alcohol tonight. I need every brain cell awake to survive this.
Leo keeps talking without noticing I am not responding. "Dad always said I was the strongest out of all my brothers. Mindset. You know? You have to manifest success. You have to stay hungry."
My throat tightens. I don't know if it is the word hungry or the way his chest puffs out when he says it, but all I can think about is Gabe. The way he tied Jace's shoes too tight and blushed when my boy complained. The way he looked at me when I told him I was still going on this date. Like the ground had opened under him and he had to pretend it did not.
Leo snaps his fingers to get the waiter's attention. "My dad said you're a single mom. Respect. Takes guts. Not everyone can handle that. My ex sure couldn't. Girl ate like a toddler and couldn't take care of anything."
My jaw tightens. "Your… ex ate like a toddler?"
He waves his hand. "Always snacking. Couldn't stay in shape. You know how it goes."
My stomach gives a slow roll. This is sounding more and more like my ex. The one who counted my calories like he owned them. The one who made me hate my own mirror. The one who tells women they owe the world thinness.
Leo leans forward. "But you look great. You look like you know how to take care of yourself. You look?—"
I cut him off gently. "So… what brought you back to town?"
He grins like he's been waiting for someone to set up his punchline. "Honestly? Dating pool in the city is trash. Women only want guys with money and drive. I want something real. Something solid. A woman who knows her place. Someone who appreciates a man who puts in work."
There is a brief, violent fantasy where I fling my water at him. I push it aside.
