Midnight Secrets

Nothing was a better distraction from my chaotic thoughts than work. The diner was crowded, and I couldn’t be happier. Well, that was until Ezra came through the fucking door nearly a half hour after the sun went down and sat in my section. He’d done so on purpose. It was too much of a coincidence, especially with how he was staring at me with a stupid, amused expression.

With how busy it was, I couldn’t pawn him off on somebody else. If Addie had been working tonight, she would’ve offered to take him off my hands, but unfortunately, she had tonight off. I’d have to bite the bullet and deal with him even though I didn’t want to be in the same vicinity as Ezra.

The bastard smirked at me as I approached, and my stomach twisted in knots. An image flashed through my mind of him saving me, but this time, rather than run away, I jumped into his arms. I nearly bumped into the counter as I ripped myself from that awful thought before it went further.

If my brain could stop being a dick and refrain from conjuring unwanted images, that would be nice.

Ezra was still smirking as I approached, looking amused, almost like he knew my mind was working against me and found it hilarious.

Shaking away the ridiculous thought, I gave him my usual spiel, but I couldn’t muster any friendliness in my voice.

“You ran off last night before we could talk,” Ezra said, his gaze never straying from my face, which didn’t help lessen my discomfort. Despite how I kept my distance from him and how potent the smell of food was here, all I could smell was his stupid fucking cologne. My head felt fuzzy for several moments until I realized I’d taken a step toward him.

Shaking my head again as if that would help clear it, I reclaimed the distance between us—although it wasn’t near far enough. “Sorry, we don’t have any drinks by that name,” I retorted, my pen poised over my notepad, waiting for his order.

“That isn’t the ‘thank you’ I was waiting for.” His voice was light as if he was teasing me, but I didn’t think he was joking. I think he was seriously waiting for a thank you, even though I didn’t ask for his help.

To anyone else, this may seem like bad manners. There was no way to know for sure whether or not I would’ve gotten away if it weren’t for him, but I couldn’t bring myself to be grateful toward him. Not only was there the chance he’d misconstrue my gratitude as interest or possibly take advantage of it—he seemed like the type—but he had terrified me more than my attacker.

“And you won’t get it. Look, I don’t know what you were doing out there, and I don’t care. I didn’t want or ask for your help. In fact, I’d much rather we didn’t have any contact from here on out. Now, if you came for the food, I’ll take your order, but if you came here for me, there’s the door.” For emphasis, I gestured at the door with my notepad. At this point, I no longer cared if he complained about my attitude to my supervisor.

Nothing phased this fucker; he seemed more amused than anything. “I’ll have a coffee then.”

I barely reined in my urge to stomp my foot like a toddler throwing a fit.

“I’ll be right back with your coffee,” I said in the most monotone, unenthused voice I could manage.

It was tempting to take my time with his coffee so I wouldn’t have to deal with him again so soon. But with how I could feel him watching me and more unwelcome thoughts invading my mind—this time it was just words, thankfully—I wanted him gone as soon as possible.

It was like an icy claw dragging down my spine, sending shudders through my limbs. The sensation wasn’t too dissimilar to what I’d been feeling since school started, but there was no way the two feelings could be connected. That would suggest I thought Ezra had been the one watching me all those times.

I mean, yes, he was creepy, but that didn’t mean he was a stalker. I was nowhere near self-absorbed enough to think he was so attracted to me that he’d stalk me. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I was being followed.

Steeling my nerves, I carried the coffee to his table, chanting to myself over and over not to pour it into his lap.

“Have you had a chance to look over the menu?” I asked, sounding like an unenthused bitch, as I placed the mug in front of him, yanking my hand away as fast as I could without being obvious.

He gave me one of his wide smiles that made me want to take several steps back despite what the whispering voices told me. They begged me to move closer and join him in his booth: consequences be damned.

Rubbing my temples, I tried to shove those thoughts aside as I wondered—not for the first time—if I was losing my mind.

“Sorry, not yet.” Despite his words, he didn’t look or sound the least bit apologetic.

Before I could say something that would most likely result in me being fired, I walked away from the table. As I cleared a nearby booth that had recently been vacated, my gaze lifted to the door as it swung open. I didn’t know if I should laugh or groan when I spotted Leon.

His focus immediately landed on me, and he gave me a grin as he approached. “Oh, would you look at that: you’re already getting a table ready for me.” As he spoke, my gaze darted toward the door, but no one else came through, cementing my suspicion he was there to watch me.

The grin vanished, and his entire body visibly stiffened as his gaze drifted to something behind me. Curiosity had me sneaking a peek over my shoulder and found Ezra giving Leon an amused grin as he waved.

“Do you know each other?” I asked, dropping my voice as I faced Leon again.

He didn’t say anything for several seconds as he watched Ezra, his eyes burning with a barely concealed anger, which was something I’d yet to see from him. I could’ve sworn I heard him growl, but I must’ve misheard with how loud it was in here. “No, I just know his type.”

“You mean the creepy loner type?” I resumed clearing the table, and another shudder rolled through my body. I didn’t need to look to know Ezra was watching us; I could feel the heavy weight of his stare on my back.

A frown broke through the barely concealed anger in Leon’s expression as he glanced at Ezra again, connecting the dots. He gave me a look that I took as him asking if Ezra was the one to interfere last night. I gave a subtle nod as I cleared the plates and cups from the table.

“What’ll you have to drink?”

“I’ll just take a water,” Leon said as he slid into the booth, sitting so Ezra was in his line of sight.

I was still annoyed Leon was here babysitting me, but at the same time, I was also glad he was here. In under an hour, I would be getting off work, and should the worst-case scenario of Ezra still being here arise, I could count on Leon to save me from having to talk to him. Because let’s be real, Leon was staying here until the end of my shift and would make sure I got home safe.

After my second time going to Ezra’s table and him saying he’d yet to read the menu, I was ready to hit him over the head with a plate. The next time I headed over, I was less than polite and resolved to get an order this time.

I nearly screamed when he only ordered a pie. A fucking pie. It took him over fifteen minutes to decide he wanted pie.

“I’m going to murder that son of a bitch,” I muttered to Leon as I refilled his water. His lips twitched, but that was the only trace of humor in his expression. That smart-ass guy that gave me shit just this morning was nowhere to be found. His gaze didn’t stray from Ezra, and he wasn’t subtle about it. I could practically feel the hostility rolling off of him in waves. If Leon had been watching me like this, I would’ve been shifting around or possibly left, but not Ezra. He was calm and collected.

“That guy is bad news. You need to stay far away from him.”

I snorted. “I keep trying.”

Not only did Ezra remain the rest of my shift, but he barely touched his food or drink.

“I’m going to have to close off your bill,” I said to Ezra without preamble, placing his bill on the table.

“Are you getting off soon?” He asked, looking a little too interested in the idea of me being free.

The way he phrased the question had my nose scrunching up at the innuendo I hoped he hadn’t meant to use on purpose. I had a few guys make “getting off” jokes and lines over the years, each as annoying as the last. The prospect that Ezra might make that joke made me feel queasy.

Rather than say anything, I just turned and walked away. Confirming I was getting ready to leave was unappealing. Yes, I had Leon here, and he’d no doubt walk me to my car, but I still wasn’t completely reassured. Whatever doubts I had at the prospect of Ezra stalking me were shrinking as time wore on. He had watched me the entire hour, his gaze like a weight that I couldn’t ditch. I suspected he only came because he somehow knew I was working tonight since obviously he hadn’t come for the food.

It was different from Leon coming here. Leon was here because of the attack last night and to protect me. Even when he was jokingly making passes when I first met him, I never felt uncomfortable around him. I’d had an actual conversation with him that I willingly entered. Despite how I barely knew him, I trusted him.

My gaze returned to Ezra, and I found him—big surprise—looking at me, this time holding up his bill with some cash in hand. Releasing a low sigh, I gave myself a mental pep talk about how all I had to do was take his money, and I’d be rid of him.

He acted like a dick and insisted on handing me the money directly, his fingers brushing mine, and I had little doubt he’d done so on purpose. “Do you have any smaller bills? I’d rather not break a hundred.” I barely restrained my urge to roll my eyes. Not to sound too bratty, but I’d rather not have to come back to give him change. I wanted to interact with him as little as possible.

When he handed me more bills, I wasn’t able to hide my sigh. He’d given me five twenties. I dropped the four others, and as I went to turn around and head to the register, he said, “I don’t think you understand: that’s your tip.”

“No, thank you. That’s way too much and frankly, makes me feel uncomfortable. I’ll get you your change.”

He scooped up the twenties I’d discarded as he shook his head. “I don’t need change; just keep it.”

I wanted to argue, and yes, I realize how stupid it was to turn down a good tip. You know, the whole cutting off your nose to spite your face and all that, but the thought of taking such a big tip made my skin prickle. There was this strange expectation attached—or at least in my mind there was. Like if I took his money, I’d owe him or something. It was a ridiculous thought, but one I couldn’t shake.

On the other hand, the prospect of having to spend more time talking to him wasn’t appealing, especially when it seemed like he was ready to dig his heels in. So even though I didn’t want to accept the tip, I gave him a closed-lip smile—at least, I think it was a smile—and spun around to put the money in the register and grab my stuff.

Leon was already holding the door open for me by the time I made it to the front door. I shot him a grateful look as I exited the diner. I didn’t glance back at Ezra to see if he’d follow since I didn’t want him to think I was interested in any way.

I was about to thank Leon for his help when I spotted Cassius leaning against the wall beside the front door.

“Thank you, Leon,” he murmured, his gaze never leaving mine. “I’ll take over from here.”