Chapter 6 - Coffee date

I finished my shower and wrapped a soft, fluffy towel around my head, soaking up the remaining droplets of water from my hair. After that, I used another towel to pat myself dry.

My plans for the day involved meeting Lukas at a quaint café in the heart of downtown. I didn’t know much about Lukas other than the fact he was a good boxer and had asked me out for coffee, and I had agreed. However, I wasn’t about to let my guard down and give him my address for pick-up. It was nothing personal, but I valued my privacy and safety above all else.

Lukas was a good-looking man, and I couldn’t deny my attraction to him. But there was something about him that made me feel uneasy. Perhaps it was his piercing amber eyes or the way he carried himself with a hint of pride. Whatever the reason, my body’s reaction to him made me uncomfortable.

Why the hell did I even accept his invitation?

I didn’t date. I didn’t have the time. Well, that wasn’t true. I had the time, but I just didn’t take it. I had other things to think about.

I spent an hour trying on different outfits, but nothing seemed to work. Frustrated, I groaned and fell face-first on my bed. It had been six long years since I last went out with a guy. In fact, I hadn’t dated anyone in ten years. The last time I dated someone, dating apps were starting to gain traction, but I preferred meeting people in person, not behind a screen. I didn’t even have a cell phone. Yes, you heard it right. I was one of those people who didn’t own a cell phone in a world where everything was done with one. I had a crappy home line, but I didn’t give my number to anyone. I enjoyed the peace of not being called.

As the reality of my situation dawned upon me, I had a mini panic attack. I had grown accustomed to being alone, and the idea of dating again filled me with fear. I didn’t know what the social standards were for dating anymore. But I took a deep breath and reminded myself that it was just coffee. It wasn’t a big deal. I could go there, say “hi,” and leave.

Yes, that was the plan.

After much deliberation, I finally settled on a black button-down shirt tucked into blue jeans. I paired it with leather boots and left my thick, ebony hair straight. However, I did put a bit of burgundy-red chapstick on my lips and dabbed some on my cheeks to brighten up my naturally pale skin.

I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed. I sucked at this. This was the last time I ever did something like that. I remembered how dating used to be fun, not something to stress over. So why was I so winded up? But then I thought, what if he didn’t like me? What if we didn’t have anything to talk about, and a heavy silence marked the meeting?

I groaned again, pushed those thoughts aside, and reminded myself to take it one step at a time. After all, it was just coffee.

Anxiously anticipating the arrival of Lukas, I arrived at the meeting point an hour ahead of the scheduled time. I began my reconnaissance of the café, meticulously scanning every detail of the surroundings. I made sure to take note of the exits and entry points, and then studied the surrounding area, memorizing the street map.

After completing my observation, I moved to the store across the street, where I could keep a watchful eye on our meeting spot. I waited patiently there until Lukas arrived ten minutes earlier than expected, travelling on foot. I felt a twinge of disappointment, as I would have liked to see his license plate and run a background check on him at the local DMV. I had a contact there who assisted me with some of my cases.

Once I saw him disappear through the door, I made my move and entered the café. When I pushed through the door, I was right on time. I pretended to look for a table when I heard him say my name and wave at me from the back of the café.

I shot Lukas a coy smile and walked over to where he was sitting. He stood up and offered me a chair, then sat down in front of me. His deep amber eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a little nervous.

“You actually came! I thought you wouldn’t show up,” Lukas said, sounding a bit surprised.

I looked at my watch and frowned. “We agreed to meet at four, right?”

He chuckled and ran his hand through his tousled brown hair. “Yes, but I didn’t think you’d show up.”

I tilted my head to the side. “There’s still time for me to leave if that’s what you want?”

Lukas laughed again, and a wave of relief washed over me. “Sorry, I don’t ask people out for coffee often, and I’m out of practice. Let’s start over. What can I get for you?” he said a little sheepishly.

I smiled at his honesty and linked my fingers on the table. If he was nervous, too, I felt better about my insecurities. I did think about not showing up, but I wasn’t that kind of person. I didn’t go back on agreements.

“Just a black coffee for me and maybe a danish, if they have any,” I said. I had seen the danishes when I arrived an hour earlier, but he didn’t need to know that.

Lukas winked at me and went to ring up our order.

I followed his retreating figure from the corner of my eye, and I sensed another intense burst of attraction toward him. His every move had me entranced, and I felt a tingling sensation on my skin at the thought of kissing him. When he caught me staring, my face turned red with embarrassment, and I quickly looked away.

Lukas returned and set the food and drinks on the table. I needed a distraction from my somewhat lewd thoughts, so I said, “I haven’t seen you at Sal’s before. Do you go there often?”

“No, it was my first time. I’ve passed by a few times, and I decided to check it out that night. I’m glad I did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you,” he replied with a smile.

I blushed at his compliment. “Well, don’t make it a habit,” I joked. “I lost my winning streak because of you.”

Lukas chuckled and took a bite of his sandwich. “I’m sorry about that. But between you and me, I think you should have won,” he said, looking at me with genuine kindness. So, how would you like to proceed? Would you like me to tell you about myself first, or would you prefer to go?

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. “You can go first,” I finally replied.

Lukas took a deep breath. “My name’s Lukas Randall. I’m thirty-three years old, and I work primarily in construction. I own a company that specializes in demolition and related work. I don’t have any children, and I’m not married. Most of my time is spent working, but I make an effort to find time for the things that matter to me. How about you?”

Shit. That had been too fast. Lukas didn’t even lead on anything, and I certainly wasn’t ready to talk about myself.

“And where did you learn how to fight?” I asked him to extend our conversation.

“Oh, I’m fluent in many combat sports. My parents wanted me to learn how to play the piano or fence… that kind of crap. Heck, they even tried to force me to play golf! They said it would make them look good at their country club. Of course, I chose the opposite of what would be acceptable in high society. I quickly took up boxing and other combat sports, thoroughly enjoying them. I trained hard, and my love for them only grew stronger. However, I hadn’t fought in years before last night.”

“Are you from here? I don’t know any Randalls. “ It’s a big city, but it’s not that big,” I said to Lukas.

“You’re not wrong. I was raised up north, then moved here when I didn’t want to take over my father’s law firm. I was sort of cut off after that. I started with simple jobs at first, but I had trouble following orders. I was good with my hands, and well, who doesn’t love demolishing stuff? So I started my company and became my own boss,” Lukas explained.

I smiled. I related to that feeling of freedom. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I like the freedom of working whenever I want. It helps me take my mind off things.”

Lukas looked at me quizzically and twirled his cup in his hand. “What about you?”

I hesitated for a second, but I knew I couldn’t avoid the question. “Maxime Ravenwood. Thirty,” I said, avoiding eye contact, hoping he wouldn’t push any further. “I’m unattached and do what I can to get by.”

“You’ll have to tell me more than that,” Lukas said, taking another bite of his meal. “What about your family and job?”

I took a deep breath. “I don’t have any family. I grew up in foster care, and as soon as I turned sixteen, I left and took care of myself. As for my job, let’s say I catch bad guys,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“So you’re in law enforcement?” Lukas asked, his eyes widening with curiosity.

“Not exactly. More like a bounty hunter.”

Lukas grinned, and my cheeks flushed. “A huntress. I like that. No wonder you were able to give me a hard time last night,” he said. “You can’t let big guys like me get the best of you.”

I looked away to recompose myself, and my eyes landed on the TV screen positioned in the top corner of the back wall. The news was on, and it seemed like a dead body was found. My eyes narrowed when the news anchor showed the victim’s picture, and my stomach dropped. It was Michael Umbridge, the skip I had brought in a few nights ago.

He died?

“Hey, are you all right?” Lukas asked when he saw a slight tremor in my hand.

I stood up and gave Lukas a shaky smile. “Yes. Erm, this will sound silly, but I just remembered I forgot to do something. It’s work. You understand. Thanks for the coffee and everything. It was nice meeting you.”

Lukas got up and was about to interject when I turned my back to him and dashed out of the café.

My mind was swirling with pieces of memory from my last encounter with the victim. Michael had said people would find and kill him if I brought him in. It looked like he wasn’t joking. Someone had paid his bail and got him killed within that time frame.

Something didn’t sit right with me. Mike was blabbering nonsense the entire time. What were the odds that what he said would come true?

I needed to find out what had happened.