Landon walked into Woody's Cafe, where Emma's bright smile greeted him from behind the counter.
"What can I get for you today, sir?" Emma asked, eyes on the ordering screen.
"Hey, Emma, it's me," Landon said.
Emma's head snapped up, her eyes widening in surprise. "Landon? Oh my goodness, I didn't recognize you!"
She studied him intently, taking in his new appearance. "You cut your hair! You look...different."
"I thought you quit!" Emma exclaimed. "Why did you leave? I thought you loved working here."
Landon interrupted, his tone light. "I didn't quit, Em. I'm just taking a long temporary leave. I thought I told the old hag"
Landon winced as a sharp pain struck the back of his head.
"Who are you calling old hag?" Agnes snapped, her voice laced with anger.
"Ow, Ms. Agnes!" Landon exclaimed, rubbing the sore spot. "It hurts."
Agnes's tone softened slightly. "Why are you back here? I thought you quit."
"I didn't quit," Landon replied, irritation creeping into his voice. "I'm just taking a long leave."
Agnes's eyes narrowed. "You're wearing an expensive suit and you came here in an expensive car. Why would you want to suffer here? Just get out of here."
"Give him a break, Ms. Agnes," Emma intervened. "I think he missed you, so he came by."
Landon smiled wryly. "Missed my ass."
Just then, Richard entered from the kitchen door. "Landon! I knew it was you. Wow, expensive suit—you've gone through a hell of a makeover."
"What are you doing instead of working here?" Agnes asked.
Agnes's expression turned disapproving.
"Don't be like that," Richard explained, "He came to meet his best friend and bid farewell to us."
Landon nodded in agreement, his eyes locked onto Richard's.
Emma's curiosity remained piqued. "By the way, don't you think he's well-treated for a bodyguard?"
The room fell silent, all eyes on Landon.
"Are you dating Evelyn?" Emma asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Richard's eyes widened in shock. "Really, are you dating Evelyn Stone?"
Landon's face contorted in confusion. "No, what're you saying? We're not like that."
Emma smiled mischievously. "Maybe he'll be the one to marry Evelyn."
Landon's tone turned firm. "Wow, stop your crazy imagination. We live in completely different worlds. I'll quit after my job's done, that's it."
Emma persisted. "Either way, she has to get married within a year, so I thought you'd be the lucky man."
Landon's curiosity piqued. "What do you mean she has to get married within a year?"
Richard chimed in. "Yeah, she has to get married within a year or she'll lose her inheritance. Haven't you heard? It's been all over the news and social media."
As the room fell silent, Landon's gaze drifted away, lost in thought.