A Second First Date
An Alleycat Crew Short
Triana laughed softly as Guy led her forward, blindfold tied neatly over her eyes. The ground felt uneven beneath her boots, and she clung to his arm for balance.
“I still think this is reckless,” she teased. “What if a client calls? Did the Vortia party ever pay up? I don’t want you dodging work just because of me.”
Guy’s voice came steady, but she felt the tension in his arm.
“This isn’t about work, Trie. Not tonight. You deserve better than what happened last time.”
Her lips quirked. Their “first date” hadn’t even made it past the front door of the brothel before a crisis pulled them back inside. That was life on Poncia. Someone always needed something, and she was always the one to fix it.
She sighed. “It’s just hard to turn it off. The girls rely on us.”
“I know,” Guy said firmly, guiding her another step. “That’s why I brought you here. Away from all that.”
Cool air kissed her skin. It smelled clean, fresh—nothing like the thick tang of Poncia’s streets. Where were they?
“Careful… up four stairs,” Guy said softly, his hand landing on her hip.
Wood creaked beneath her feet. She could smell the smoke from a fireplace.
He led her through a door and closed it softly behind them. And when Guy untied the blindfold, Triana gasped.
They stood inside a glass-walled cabin that seemed to float on the mountainside. Beyond the wall, snowcapped peaks rose like jagged crowns, valleys lush and green stretching far below. A string quartet played in the corner, their soft music drifting over a table laid with candles and wine. A waiter in a pressed suit adjusted their plates, nodding politely before retreating.
Her heart squeezed. He’d set this up to get them away from their responsibilities so they could be alone. Her eyes danced around the room—the majestic views, the fireplace, the music… and Guy. She smiled.
“Too much?” he asked quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I wasn’t sure how to make up for… y’know, last time.”
Her heart squeezed again.
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “It’s perfect.”
He pulled out her chair, still looking uncertain. She sat, letting her fingers trace the rim of the wineglass.
“You’re nervous,” she said softly.
Guy straightened, trying to hide it.
“Me? Pilots don’t get nervous.” He tried to sound casual as he slid into the seat opposite her.
The glass rattled faintly in his hand as he lifted it, betraying him.
Triana’s smile spread. She reached across the table, sliding her hand over his. Her pulse quickened.
“You can stop pretending. You don’t have to be Commander Liezdt with me. Just Guy is enough.”
His shoulders eased, and for a moment she saw the raw honesty beneath the legend. He tried to hold her gaze but his nerves won out and he turned to look out through the glass.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Guy said warmly.
“It is,” Trie replied, looking out at the mountains also.
“Almost as beautiful as you,” Guy’s voice shook as he turned back to her.
Triana had no words. Her heart fluttered.
Work, worries, responsibilities—everything faded into the background. Even the music seemed to drift away. Triana lifted her glass and took a sip, her grin impossible to contain as she gazed into Guy’s nervous eyes.
She knew why she made him nervous.
He really cared for her, perhaps more… and her heart swelled for him too.
⏳ Guy and Triana. Who knew a combat legend and a former hostess would find each other here? Their story threads deeper into The Nebula Royale… and the countdown clock is still ticking.
