Illusions | Loki & Jane

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PART TWO
Illusions of Betrayal
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Jane was not really looking at the menu in her hands; instead, she was anxiously wiggling her leg, her mind racing with worry. Erik had sounded so excited over the phone, his voice tinged with urgency as he spoke about a breakthrough in his research. She could practically hear the enthusiasm in his words as he implored her to come to London. But now, after arriving, he was unreachable. Why wasn't he answering? She had tried calling him multiple times, and each time the call went straight to voicemail.

Suddenly, someone pushed a napkin under the menu with the word "hi" written on it. Guilt-stricken, Jane put down the book and looked at her date on the other end of the table. "Hi," he now said, a playful smile on his face.

"Hi," Jane replied awkwardly, her voice slightly breathless. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. It was clear she hadn't been present.

Her date, Richard, looked amused but also slightly concerned. "So, what's the story with you?" he asked.

"Why does there have to be a story? There's no story," Jane said, her frustration evident.

Richard leaned back, a bemused smile on his face. "You've spent the first ten minutes of our date hiding behind a menu that has three choices on it. It's either chicken, vegetarian or fish, Jane. I think there's a story here, and I'm betting it involves a guy."

She sighed deeply. "Two, actually."

"That sounds busy," Richard replied, raising an eyebrow.

Jane quickly realized how it sounded and added, "No, not like that. They both... went away." Her voice trailed off.

Richard nodded, his expression softening. "So, now you're afraid of letting anyone in?" he asked gently.

"Are you a shrink?" Jane realized she didn't even know what his occupation was.

"No, I'm a construction worker," he replied with a light chuckle. "But I do have one."

"A what?"

"A shrink."

"Ah."

Richard leaned in slightly. "You know, I've been there. The going away—it's hard. I was seeing a woman once, and she took a job in New York. Eventually, the distance killed it. And... well, she kept sleeping with other guys."

Jane's eyes widened in disbelief. "No!"

Richard chuckled, a hint of pain creeping into his laughter. "Oh, so many."

"You definitely need a shrink for something like that," Jane laughed, appreciating his sense of humor.

Just then, Darcy walked up to their table.

"Hi. Um... could we get some wine, please?" Richard asked, thinking she was a waitress.

"Sure, I'd love some," Darcy replied with a bright smile.

"Richard, this is Darcy." Jane turned to Darcy, her curiosity piqued. "What are you doing here?"

With a casual flourish, Darcy pulled a chair from the opposite table and dragged it over, plopping down next to Jane. She immediately helped herself to a piece of bread, slathering it with butter.

"Oh, hello," Richard said, looking a bit perplexed by Darcy's boldness.

"You know, we should not make a habit out of you crashing my dates," Jane told her friend, half-joking but clearly a little annoyed, remembering her date with Thor in New Mexico three years before.