Haider is standing next to the entrance of the café, his arms are crossed. He looks pissed. I check the console and I'm forty minutes late. Shit. He hasn't spotted me yet but he is looking at the car. Apparently, this thing attracts attention wherever it goes. I want to sink into the leather seats and stay there forever. I don't get the chance. Connor gets out of the car and Haider eyes him for a second then goes back to scanning the street, presumably for me.
Connor walks around the front of the car and then opens my door. People still do that? It's an odd thought to have right now. Especially, considering Haider is about to murder me but I'm stunned by how much I like the gesture. I offer him a smile and slide out of the car. Haider spots me immediately; I don't even have a moment to gather myself before he's standing in front of me. His gave is a stormcloud, I have the urge to bolt. I doubt I could get away though, Haider's in good shape for his age. Chasing criminals has given him an edge that I can't hope to outrun. When I meet his eyes, disapproving and stern, I tempted to make a break for it. Maybe, I'd be better off just testing my luck. I could run into oncoming traffic, that might be a better way to go at this point.
"Kiera Mae Landry," he begins, his voice is hard and strict. It booms in the quiet street and a few people lingering outside the café stop and stare. Can I be somewhere else... Anywhere else? That's his dad voice, I'm in trouble. Connor chortles to himself. I shoot him a look of disbelief. Does he not realize that he's about to be on the wrong side of Haider's 'I don't like this' glare. He rolls his lips together to keep in a laugh and then just shrugs, nonchalantly.
"Mae?" he snickers. He gives me a side look that's muschevious and cheeky and I'm powerless against him.
"What are you? Five?" I roll my eyes, but now even I'm smiling. He's adorable, if a six plus foot tall man who could probably snap me in half if he wanted could be considered adorable. It's not the right thing to do, however. Not when Haider's so mad that he middle-named me. He clears his throat in that way that reminds me this man deals with criminals on a daily basis and doesn't bat an eye. His eyes are shifting between me and Connor, I know he's doing all kinds of math trying to place an unfamiliar face. After a second, i see him give and he turns the full extent of his deadly glare on me.
"Where have you been?" he enunciates each word, punctuating it with the deepening of his frown. "I called you six times; I thought something happened to you!" I'm a terrible person. I pull my phone out of my purse and show him the pitch black screen. It's no excuse, obviously, I could've asked Emma to try calling him anyway. In my defense, he never answers personal calls at work though.
"It died," I respond, I feel guilty. "I had a bit of an episode; Connor came and got me as soon as I realized I wasn't where I was supposed to be."
His head snaps in Connor's direction at the casual drop of his name. I was hoping he wouldn't notice. I can see him debating the benefits of addressing the elephant in the room right now in front of Connor or waiting til we're alone. I hope he chooses the latter, I like Connor and I'm not sure I'm in the right place for a relationship but I'd like to get to know him more. He seems like someone I'd be interested in if I were a normal girl. His eyes narrow and Connor catches the expression. He offers a sheepish sort of smile. My heart melts a little as a pale pink colors the arches of cheekbones.
"Hi, I'm Connor." He offers his hand to Haider, who just looks at it like he's being offered a shiny bottle cap by a rabid raccoon. I wince.
"Is this the same Connor you swore up and down you weren't dating?" Haider asks. Dear God, why does this always happen to me. Can't I just have one day where I keep my dignity intact.
"Dating?" Connor queries, turning to me with his pale eyebrows pulled up in a comical approximation of panic.
"Long story," I offer with a careless shrug. It's definitely not worth getting into right now. Definitely not in front of Haider
"Emma?" Well. Apparently, it's not that long of a story. I raise my eyebrow quizzically, "She's been giving me shit about it for weeks now." He informs with a smirk and I really wish he'd stop doing that around me. Those stupid expressions that pull up half of his mouth. It should be criminal for anyone to look this hot, honestly.
"You'd think she's never seen two attractive people flirt before." He waves a dismissive hand. I catch a glimpse of his ring again. That looks like a family crest.
Interesting.
"Your humility is astounding." I roll my eyes. I do that around him way too often. Either, I'm terrible at this flirting thing or this guy is just really a genuine pain in the ass. Extremely hot, but a pain in the ass nonetheless.
"That's not the only thing about me that's astounding," he wiggles his eyebrows. My heart stops dead in my chest. Please, don't let him mention the thing I said about smaller men the last time. Please. "If your reaction to my driving is anything to go by." I exhale in relief but too soon apparently cause Haider coughs pointedly.
I look over to find him watching me with an indecipherable expression dancing in his eyes. No. He's watching us, Connor and I. Ugh, why does all of this have to be so difficult.
"Anyway," I say turning back to Connor, "Thanks for your help. I owe you big time." I tell him and move to walk away. He grabs hold of my wrist as I pass. I jolt at the unexpected contact. My head swings toward him. I can't hide the fact that I'm alarmed.
"Not so fast," he shakes his head. "Emma told me I've gotta drive you around all day."
"I don't need a babysitter." I know it's ridiculous to be upset about the fact that they want to keep me safe but it's more than a little demeaning for Emma to ask someone who's essentially a stranger to watch me all day. The fact that Connor is gorgeous and likes to flirt only makes that worse. I don't want him treating me like I'm some sort of breakable doll.
"We can call it a date if that'll make you feel better," he smiles at me and it's so unlike any expression I've seen on him before. His eyes shadow and his voice takes on a serious, husky tone "But I'd prefer to save that for the actual date."
"The actual date?" it comes out like a squeak and there's nothing I can do to help that situation. What is he talking about? I'm keenly aware of Haider's presence at my back. I know he won't get involved, it's not his style but I did date his son and break his heart. So, I'm sure this is not something he wants to see.
"Oh, yeah." He nods solemnly; I can't stop looking at his eyes. They've gone from silver to a shade of grey that reminds me of storm clouds. "I was being serious before," he continues. His thumb is running little circles on the inside of my wrist; the action is making me a little flustered. He realizes this because his eyes flick down to the point of contact then back up at me as he applies a little more pressure.
Haider cuts in, "Well, since you want to take us on a date. You should invite him to the Police Gala this weekend, Sweetie." He says it in such a pleasant tone that I'm almost fooled. But I catch the menacing look in his eyes.
"Uh… I-" Wow. His touch has rendered me illiterate.
"I'd love to," Connor says with a genuine smile. My eyes widen exponentially. That is not okay. I'm not going on a date with Connor to the police gala. The police gala where Haider and Zahra will be. And Dastan and Anne. Oh, absolutely not. The last thing we need is to add another ball to that juggling act that's already catastrophically awkward and miserable.
That would be more painful than open heart surgery without the anesthetic. But it's too late because Haider's saying; "Good, I'll leave the details to Kiera." And then he's walking away. I stare at his retreating form, watch the ease with which he maneuvers back into the cafe, his broad form slicing through the crowd. I spend a dumbfounded moment just staring after him wondering what in the ever-loving shit just happened here.
"I'll be in the coffee shop across the street, come get me when you're done." He tells me as his thumb swipes across my pulse point in one maddeningly slow stroke. That's just criminal, he should be allowed to do things like that. Does he realize that he's slowing making me lose my mind? I don't respond, I give him a small nod. And just like that, he's gone.
And then there was one. What the hell did I just get myself into? Oh, this is not going to be pretty. I can see it already... Dastan and Connor in the same place. My past and present colliding with a sickening crash. The only casualty would be me.
I'm going on a date. With Connor. To a work event.
I am screwed.