“So then tell me what I have to do because the word no doesn’t exist in my vocabulary. Everyone has an in, and mine’s finding out what makes her tick. I even have the upper hand—what better resource to have on all things Velyn than her best friend?” I shoot my brother a toothy grin, but the look on his face says he’s not quite warmed up to the idea of being my partner in crime on this one. That’s okay; it’ll only take a little bit of coercion before he breaks—he always does.
When I look up, I spot Velyn across the diner at another table. She hasn’t seen us yet, but she’s slowly making her way over.
“Okay, she’ll be over here shortly. Ask her to come over tonight, you know, just to hang out. Maybe if the night’s nice, I can take her out for a ride on my bike, then bam that’s when I’ll make my move—women love the bike.”
Chase’s face contorts in a way that I’m not sure if he’s confused or constipated. Taking into consideration where we are, I’m going to go with confused.
“Okay, Fonzie,” he starts.
“Wait, who?”
He lets out a breath before continuing. “You know, The Fonz? Aaaaay! Happy days?”
“Yeah, dude, no,” I reply.
“You all suck. I seriously need to find new people to hang out with,” Chase mutters.
“Or you could just try watching shows that have been aired since the invention of the color TV.”
Chase shakes his head. “Whatever. Look honestly, I think Velyn would be the perfect fit for you. She’s grounded, not materialistic, smart, and has direction. All the values in which you lack.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Chase stares me down. “I’m serious, Dylan, this could be a great thing for you if you just lose your douchey ways.”
Okay, he has me there. I can be a little of a douchebag at times; however, it’s never stopped the women from begging at my feet before. But this time, my little brother may be onto something. Maybe the way to get Miss Velyn Adler where I want her is to change things up.
“Fine, I’ll go with you on this one. If you think losing douchey Dylan is the way to go, that’s what I’ll do. But I still need your help, Chase. She’s going to need a little persuasion from you.”
Chase sighs but nods reluctantly—I’ll take it. Either way, it’s a sign that he’s got my back on this one.
“Hey, guys!”
I look up to the sound of the sweet voice at my side. “Hey, beautiful.” I offer her a smile, but in reciprocation, hers seems forced. There’s something off with her. She’s not the spirited, open girl from this morning.
“Hey, Ve—” Chase stops mid greeting holding his gaze to her face. “Velyn, what’s wrong? Were you crying?”
What, crying? Why does he think she was crying? Did I miss something? I look up to her, trying to see what he does, but nothing seems off.
Velyn offers Chase a slight smile. “We’ll chat after. I just need to get through this shift.”
Chase nods in understanding, and just like that, he turns back to the menu and orders. “I’ll have the bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries and a cola drink. Oh, and can you ask Stu for extra onions like last time.”
She chuckles. “Sure, but remind me not to sit too close to you later.” Then she turns to me. “And what can I get for you? The usual?”
“You know my usual?” I reply.
She smiles. “Sure, a meal for twenty, right?”
I let out a chuckle at her poke at my healthy appetite. “Yeah, that’ll be great.”
“Okay, great. I’ll be back shortly with your order, gentlemen.”
Velyn walks off, heading into the back and I quickly turn to Chase. “How did you know something was wrong with her?”
“Her eyes.”
Her eyes? I’ve heard people say that they’re the window to our souls, but really, come on? “Seriously, you got that from looking into her eyes?”
Chase shakes his head. “Not in them, at them. They were puffy like she’d been crying.”
Oh.
How did I miss that?
What could possibly be bothering her? “Why would she be crying?”
“I don’t know. But, Dylan, this is what I’ve been trying to say. She’s not like us. Velyn lives a life that we couldn’t even begin to comprehend, and even if we could, it’s something we wouldn’t have to deal with until later in life.”
I lean in. “Like how, Chase?”
He shakes his head. “It’s not my place to share Velyn’s life story with you. But maybe if you don’t screw things up with her, she’d be willing to tell you herself.”
Chase leans back, pulling out his phone, his attention now on something else.
What kind of life does she live? He makes it sound almost scandalous. Scandalous is definitely something I don’t need in my life right now. Not with being under the microscope for the position in my father’s firm. I just can’t do it.
“Hey, Chase, you know what don’t—”
“Here you go, boys.” Velyn places our plates in front of us. “Enjoy!”
Chase goes to call out to her, but I stop him. “Don’t.”
His brow pinches. “I just wanted to ask her what time she was off.”
“Just let it go, Chase. I was thinking that maybe it’s not a good idea to get involved
with Velyn.”
He lays back in the booth staring at me with a knowing look. “This better not have
anything to do with what I said about her life.”
“Chase, I can’t get involved with someone like that.”
His eyes open wide, and his mouth now lays in a straight line of indifference. “Someone like that? I’ll have you know, Dylan, that Velyn’s far more respectable a person than you or
