by Leela Ash
“Yes,” Lisa said quietly. “I have no other options. But I had to come here to get a new pair of shoes for work now that I was able to cash my check.”
“Why don’t you let me take you to dinner. Then I will take you home,” Norris said, his silver eyes peering playfully at her from behind the straw of his huge drink. “You look like you could use a good meal. I’m sure things have been hard on you.”
Lisa sighed inwardly. He really didn’t know the half of it, though it was nice to hear him acknowledge that much at least.
“That depends on where you’re going,” she finally said. Why refuse a free meal? He was right. Things had been really tough lately. She had only been paid for her training period this week, and it was going to take a while before things really got rolling.
“Lady’s choice,” Norris said graciously, taking her by the elbow to lead her gently to the parking lot of the mall, where his car was parked not even twenty feet away. It gave her a strange sensation. Fate? Was it even possible?
No, that was silly. It couldn’t possibly be anything like that. That was ridiculous.
“There’s a good place around the corner,” Lisa said, unable to resist the man’s gentle guidance. She had been secretly longing to see him again. There was something about him that drew her in. If his mannerisms were insincere then it was probably just his looks, but she couldn’t help but think that maybe there was something more to him than what she had been fearing.
But still, she had to be on her guard. She wasn’t going to let anything serious happen. She couldn’t have any actual feelings for him. He was probably just trying to play her, so he wouldn’t have to deal with a lawsuit against his stupid moving company.
“Oh, are you talking about Jimmy’s? I love it there.”
Lisa was surprised that a man who dressed like Norris would be able to eat at such an under sung restaurant in his fancy clothes, but when she turned to study his silver eyes, she could tell he was being genuine. How strange…
“I am, actually. It sounds really good right now. Are you paying?”
Normally, she wouldn’t be so forward, but the last thing she needed was to sit down to a nice meal and find that she couldn’t even afford it. Not only would it be embarrassing, but it would irritate her to no end to have a guy like Norris swooping in to make her think she was being treated only to run off if he sensed she didn’t have any romantic interest in him whatsoever. Hopefully, he already knew that, but if he wanted to delude himself with talk of fate, who was she to stop him?
“Of course,” Norris said, stopping mid stride to look down at her with a look that clearly read she was ridiculous for suggesting otherwise. “And afterward, we are going to the rental agency and getting a car for you to use until the insurance company straightens things out.”
A wave of relief flooded Lisa and she inhaled deeply. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have this guy around after all. At least not today. Just because he was being kind to her now didn’t mean she owed him, either. Hopefully, he knew that. And if he was simply doing these things because he believed it was going to help him stay safe from persecution, he had another thing coming. She could ruin his business in a heartbeat and be set for life.
But when she looked at him, humming quietly to himself in his snug, expensive suit, sipping at his coke syrup, a strange wave of compassion nearly brought her to tears. Why did she want to hurt this man so much? Maybe he was genuinely a nice person who just wanted to make her feel better about her bad situation. What if she had him all wrong? There was no way of knowing.
All she could do was remain on the alert. He had been pretty overbearing in the car when he had driven her to work. It had unnerved her enough to try to convince Tammy to pick her up for work during the following week, so she could get a ride without having to rely on him, despite the fact that it meant she had to wait outside the building for three hours before it opened.
If nothing else, at least this way she didn’t have to worry about losing her job. She wasn’t going to take any unnecessary risks. It was very important to her to be able to maintain her career. It was something she felt she had waited her entire life for, and nobody, especially not some cocky crazy person, was going to change that.
Regardless, it was going to be very helpful to be able to rely on some form of transportation until things were straightened out. Lisa really didn’t know what to expect when it came to the insurance companies, but she knew she was tired of being screwed over and if she did end up pursuing a lawsuit, she was definitely going to bring this up in court.
“They have the best buns,” Norris said suddenly.
Lisa looked at him in surprise and confusion. “Buns?”
“Yes, buns. Their buns are amazing. I wish I could just buy a whole bag of them and take them home with me. Then I would never need to come here again.”
Norris had pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and was looking at her expectantly. What in the world was the deal with this man? Drinking coke syrup and eating buns? Why?
“Do you have some sort of disorder or something?” Lisa blurted, clapping her mouth shut quickly as soon as the words spilled out. That was probably the rudest thing she ever said to somebody, and he looked at her in confusion as he considered the question.
“No, I don’t think so. I’m just a normal guy.”
But the way he said it didn’t sound entirely convincing, not even to himself. Normal guy? What normal guy referred to himself as a normal guy? There was definitely something going on here. And she was going to get to the bottom of it.
“If you say so,” Lisa said, shaking her head slowly.
Norris smiled. “Actually, there is something I wanted to talk to you about, but I’m going to wait until we have food in us before I drop that bombshell.”
Oh no. Bombshell? Why did she feel like this was probably going to be some horrible and defining moment in the relationship? But she was like a deer in headlights and couldn’t run away. Not when the restaurant was so close she could smell the food wafting from the open doorway. No, she was going to have to wait. She would just have to hope he didn’t turn out to be some kind of creep.
At least they would be in a public place if she had to make a quick exit.
But as she studied Norris’ handsome face, she felt another twinge of strange guilt. Why was she so suspicious of him? Was it because she didn’t trust her own instincts about this man? It was absurd of her to be so wrapped up and consumed in an attraction like this.
As much as she hated to admit it to herself, she almost wanted to believe him about fate bringing them together. Almost. Who wouldn’t want to think that a man this good looking and generous was genuinely interested in them? That fate had brought them together for a purpose greater than themselves? That maybe, somehow, for some reason, everything that had happened had happened for a reason. And they were meant to be. The attraction was legitimate and had a good foundation.
But that sort of thinking was dangerous. And he had probably planted the thought purposely as a manipulation tactic. Fated attractions? Soul mates?
No, he was probably just trying to stay on her good side. It was nothing more than that. It couldn’t be. The idea of fate was stupid and silly, and nobody would ever tell her he was making sense. In fact, they would be telling her to run in the opposite direction and never look back. Only speak to him through her lawyer. That was what she should be doing. All of this was ridiculous.
The real question was, why was she trusting him enough to actually go with him into this restaurant? What had compelled her to believe that if she got in the car with him again, she would be able to get out safely? Those were the real questions here. What was this ridiculous but innate trust she had placed in him?
Nothing about it seemed valid upon a closer examination. And yet, there she was. She was there and there was nothing that would change the fact that she had put herself into another strange situation with this stupidly attractive man. What was she going
to do about that? How was she going to justify this to herself when she got home that evening and was forced to face the music?
And yet, her heart thudded involuntarily when Norris held the door open for her and smiled broadly, waiting for her to step inside. He had the most impeccable and gentlemanly mannerisms she had ever seen in a man. He was practiced, she was sure of it. Was that the sign of a serial womanizer? Or was she reading far too deeply into all of this?
“Thanks,” she mumbled, ducking into the restaurant and quickly locating her favorite table.
“Oh, you chose my favorite spot to sit,” Norris said, grinning and gesturing toward the window. “I love how you can see the skyline over there, just beyond the trees. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Why was this man seemingly so perfect? Some of it had to be an act. Men like this didn’t just fall out of the sky and tell you straight up that they were a gift from the universe. That was ridiculous. How could she ever trust someone who thought that way? Especially, after seeing firsthand just how strange he could be. He was seriously attractive, distractingly so, but that didn’t make him a good match for her. He would never really qualify as an option. Not unless she knew what kind of person he really was.
“Yeah, I like it too,” Lisa said quietly, willing her whirlwind of emotions away. “So, is the only thing you like to eat here buns?”
Norris shrugged. “I like bread a lot. Most things leave a weird taste in my mouth. Is that what you meant by a disorder?”
Lisa pursed her lips and shrugged, guilty for her quick words, picking up her menu and pretending to scan it very seriously, although every time she came in here she ordered the exact same thing. It was her favorite. “Sure.”
“Well, it’s nothing that really impacts my life too seriously. A lot of people think I have a strange palate, but I don’t really think it means there is anything in particular wrong with my appetite. In fact, I would guess that’s to be expected when you’re raised the way I was.”
Lisa looked up sharply, caught in the intense silver rays of Norris’ eyes. “And just exactly how were you raised?” she asked. The question had been burning on her mind for quite a while now. He was so peculiar. There had to be a reason for it.
“I was not raised in Brookside. In fact, I really am not from around here. I am not a local. Maybe that comes as a surprise to you, but most people seem to be able to tell for some reason or another. Which I guess is fine,” Norris laughed uncomfortably. Apparently, standing out bothered him, though he didn’t want to say as much. “I don’t really have to fit in. In fact, I shouldn’t. This is not my home. And I think it is okay for everyone to know and understand that about me. Maybe then they would be more understanding of the fact that I am not going to do things the same way everybody else does.”
“Where were you raised?” Lisa asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
Norris was about to answer when he was interrupted by a friendly, bubbly waitress who took their orders and then disappeared quickly. Lisa had nearly forgotten the topic of conversation until Norris caught her eye again and said, with his face completely deadpan, “I’m from another planet.”
“Another planet?” Lisa let out a soft, abrupt laugh. That was a good one. “No, really. Where were you born?”
“No, really. I am not from Earth. This is not my home. Actually, I’m not even a human.”
Norris was gazing at her seriously, his silver eyes unrelenting.
“Well, that explains a lot,” Lisa said with a laugh, her discomfort reaching a whole new level. “So, you are new to the planet then. An alien.”
What. The. Hell.
“No, I’m not a little green man or anything. Actually, I’m a Dragon shifter.”
Lisa fell silent as she studied Norris, her face distorted in an effort to try and figure out whether he was being genuine. She looked away finally, after noting that Norris’ expression hadn’t changed a bit. It was becoming clear he believed the things he was saying to her, and as much as she hoped he wasn’t being serious, Lisa had the uncomfortable feeling that he was.
“A Dragon shifter? Really? I’ve never heard of that.”
“Yes. I can change into a Dragon.”
Lisa did her best to keep her expression even and stared at Norris silently. Okay, so this man was bat shit crazy. She should have known. As soon as he started talking about fate, she should have known to get as far away from him as possible. This was insane. She was in danger every time she spoke to this man. Who knew what he might be capable of?
And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to get up and pull away from his gaze. He looked so sincere that it nearly made her want to hold and protect him. Or, more ridiculously, believe him.
But to believe him would make her crazy, too. And that thought made her panic. Why was it that crazy people didn’t realize they were crazy? And it became everybody else’s problem while they lived in a little delusional world and happily went on with their lives, fully believing they were whatever their delusions said they were? Why was Norris’ crazy now her problem? None of this seemed fair.
And it wasn’t until this point that she realized that maybe she had been counting on his declarations of fate to possibly ring true. She wasn’t just afraid. There was some small, secret hope buried deep within her that now felt outrageously disappointed.
“I’m not surprised that you have never heard of a Dragon shifter,” Norris said, his tone and disposition as friendly as ever. “We are not very common, even in the grander scheme of the universe. Especially not somewhere like Earth. This is not a very sustainable environment for my kind.”
“Your kind…I mean, no, we don’t have a lot of Dragon habitats,” Lisa said, unable to keep the sharp bite out of her voice. She couldn’t believe her luck lately. How did things always manage to go from bad to worse?
“I know you are probably a little bit surprised, but if you have any questions, you can tell me whatever is on your mind. I will be receptive and try to help you understand as best as I can.”
Norris beamed and took one of the sugar packets on the table. He opened it and poured it into his mouth, then smiled as he chewed. Lisa gaped at him, overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of it all.
“Did you forget to take your medication or something today?” Lisa asked, her face ashen as she studied the handsome man across from her. Why was it that so many ridiculous men were attracted to her? It could never just be a nice, sweet normal guy. There was always something. An addiction, a bad personality, entitlement…But this one really topped them all. A Dragon shifter? Really? That was genuinely insane.
“I don’t take any medications,” Norris said, quirking his brow in confusion. “Actually, where I come from, I’m considered one of the most well-adjusted and healthy shifters. I am quite a notorious man out there. My family is nobility. They are not supposed to dabble with any chemical substances that might change the structure of who we are on a fundamental level. It’s forbidden.”
“Maybe that’s the problem,” Lisa said, wishing she wasn’t in a booth so she could push her seat back and somehow find herself further away from Norris. Wow. She really had not been expecting this one. When he had said bombshell, he hadn’t been kidding.
“That really isn’t the problem at all. But the problem is that nobody ever seems to be able to accept reality at face value. And I’m sure this is information that is going to take some time to adjust to. But I’m patient. And I’m willing to take all the time you need,” Norris said, his voice gentle and soothing. Almost condescending. “Don’t worry, I know this is difficult, but it’s going to be okay. You’re going to see, soon enough, that my words ring true.”
“I think the only thing that is going to ring true to me is the fact that you are completely out of your mind,” Lisa said, laughing and shaking her head. She wished she hadn’t already ordered. It was too late now, she felt committed. Especially, since her stomach was growling seriously at the thought of getting her food and she really needed the r
ental car.
And honestly, part of her really wished it was safe to be romantically interested in Norris. “No offense, but you knew this was going to throw me for a loop. Maybe it is something that will require a bit of time for me to think on.”
There was also a small, tiny fraction of her mind that was entertaining the possibility that maybe…possibly… he was telling the truth. She had heard stories all her life about the Wolf and the Bear shifters out west. Why was a Dragon shifter any different?
No, she couldn’t try and rationalize all of this. Of course, it was different. Because it was absolute and utter bullshit. It was insane. She couldn’t just let some delusional guy waltz her around Brookside and expect her to accept his delusions like this. He had told her she was his fated soulmate person and then went on to say that, in reality, he was some weird scaly monster with wings. All of this was absurd, and she didn’t have to stay here and take it.
And yet, she just couldn’t bring herself to walk away, no matter how ridiculous it seemed. What was it about this guy that drew her in so much? Why couldn’t she just walk away? Did she have low self-esteem or something? Or was she just listening to a strange part of herself that she usually ignored? A part of her that liked to remain silent? Was it even trustworthy if that were the case?
“I’m not out of my mind,” Norris reassured her. “I’m not out of anything. Except my home planet. And I miss it terribly. It would be nice to have a friend. Or somebody that I can talk to about home. I want to be able to be myself and be honest. I’m sick of hiding. I know the others are going to be angry at me for revealing my secret you, but if they understood my predicament, I believe they will forgive me in time.”
“There are others?” Lisa asked, her blue eyes now wide as she took in the peculiarly attractive features of the man across from her. He seemed sad, as if he genuinely believed he was an outcast on Earth from another planet. And that made her sad too.
“Yes, there are others. I consider them my brothers, though we are not related on our home planet. It’s just that we are most like family as anyone ever could be on Earth. We have the same values, and the same way of life. We were raised the same way. The same lifestyle. It’s hard to find people like us on Earth. This place is so violent. It’s quite distressing, really.”
