Second Chance Mates

-19- 🌹 No One Like Him

^ Ryland's date outfit, except the collar is pure black

"In my life, there's been no one like him anywhere. Anywhere, where he is. If he asked, I'd be his."
~Les Miserables, 'In My Life'

~~~

*Landon's POV*

"Nope."

I throw the purple shirt aside, this time holding up a dark green shirt.

"Nada."

Sighing, I toss the green shirt and pick up a black one.

"Too moody."

I groan, narrowing my eyes at my best friend. "Shooting down every one of my options isn't very helpful."

"It's not my fault you have poor taste in clothing," Lucca retorts, standing from my bed to dig through my closet.

I cross my arms over my chest. "Not all of us can pass off the tattoos, piercings, and ripped jeans vibe."

"I know, and I forgive you," Lucca grins cheekily, making me roll my eyes.

"Why did I bother asking for your help?" I grumble more to myself, but knowing Lucca can hear it with his heightened wolf abilities.

"Because I can hear how hard your heart is pounding from how nervous you are about your date," Lucca points out with a raised brow, making my cheeks heat up. "I'm not sure why you feel so nervous anyway. From what you've told me about Ryland, he genuinely likes you. I doubt he would ditch you over wearing a basic-ass outfit on your date."

"I know, but it's our first date," I stress. "I want it to be perfect."

Lucca sighs, standing up straight to look at me head on. "Landon. I'm not really the type of person to want to get sappy, because feelings— yuck. But just hear me out. You guys like each other, yeah? Then that's all that matters. It'll be perfect no matter what, so stop stressing about the small details."

The tension in my shoulders start to dissipate at the truth of his words sink in. "You're right, man. Thanks."

He hums in acknowledgment before his dark eyes light up. "Aha! Here. Wear this."

A sky blue button up shirt is shoved into my hands. I mutter a thanks before throwing the blue shirt over the white undershirt I had been wearing. Checking myself in the mirror, I rub my jaw and wonder if maybe I should shave beforehand. Perhaps not a full shave, but a trim.

I head into the bathroom, aware of Lucca still failing behind me. Grabbing the trimmer, I get to work on making myself appear well-groomed.

"Where are you taking him?" Lucca asks as he leans against the bathroom doorway.

"To see a musical. I saw a flyer that a local theatre company was performing tonight. Luckily, it's a show I've heard of so I got us tickets."

"I didn't know you were into musicals."

I shrug. "I wouldn't say I'm super into them, but Ryland is. Just thinking about the way his face is going to light up when he finds out we're seeing a musical makes it all worth it."

Lucca stays quiet with his lips turned up in a small smile. His eyes are dazed, lost in thought and I have a pretty good guess as to what he's thinking about.

"Have you thought about what you'd do if you found your mate?" I ask him as I fix my hair, trying to act like this is a normal, casual conversation.