We all let out a laugh, with Dylan and Jordan offering each other that knowing nod; the one that says all is right again.
I look around the table and notice Chase seems a little off. Getting up, I move to his side. “Hey, why so quiet?” He shrugs. “Chase, what is it?”
He turns to me and in a whisper says, “Jordan seems to have been the only person he cared that he upset.”
Before I can say anything, Dylan’s right there with a hand on Chase’s shoulder. “Not a chance, bud. I was just saving the most important person for last.” Dylan takes his brother into a playful bear hug. “I hate that we weren’t talking. And although you may think I was only pulling the guardian card to make you miserable, which I will admit I was to an extent, don’t ever think that you’re not the number one person in my life. I love you. You’re my baby brother, and no matter what, I will always look out for you.”
Chase looks back up to his brother. “What about Velyn?”
Dylan turns his eyes up, catching just a glance of mine before I turn away. He stands from the table, stepping in front of me then offers out his hand. “This is an apology that’s going to take more than words. Do you have some free time, Velyn?”
This is certainly not something we had planned out in the car!
I didn’t have free time then, but Dylan made me promise that I would give him a moment or two when I was done work.
“Okay, are you sure you don’t need me to do anything else, Joan? I don’t mind...really.”
I’ve been playing in my head a scenario in which Dylan would need more than words to apologize—let me just say the imagination can be a dangerous thing.
“Vel, sweetheart, you need to stop stressing over this,” Joan says.
I give her a curt nod. “You’re right; it’s probably nothing. Dylan will probably just say a quick sorry for being an ass, offer me a handshake, and be on his way.”
Joan laughs. “Oh no, that boy has no intention of sending you off with a handshake.”
“What do you mean?”
She walks over, laying a hand on my shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze. “Velyn, my love, that boy’s…oh, what do the kids say? Oh, that’s it…that boy wants to tap that.”
What!
“Nuh-uh! No! Dylan Dandridge has no thought in his mind about that, well, at least not with me. No, it’s not like that. Ha, he just started to accept that I’m not a horrible person. Trust me, Dylan does not want to tap any of this,” I reply as I motion down the front of my apron.
Joan looks to me. “Dear, when you look up thinks with penis in the dictionary, a picture of that boy is right beside it. The only difference is now I think he may have met his match in you, and sweetie, once he figures it all out, he isn’t going to be so quick just to let you go.”
“No. Joan, that can’t happen. It will never happen. Chase is my best friend, and I won’t jeopardize that by getting involved with Dylan.”
Her eyes shoot past me, and a slow grin creeps across her mouth as she nods to the door. “Love, it may be a little too late for that.”
I turn catching her line of sight and let out a gasp—well shit!
Dylan walks through the diner door, not overly dressed but definitely cleaned up. But the thing that really catches my eye is the dozen pink roses he’s carrying in his hand.
“Hey, sorry, I know I’m early. I can wait,” Dylan says as he approaches the counter.
Joan waves him off. “No worries, she’s done. Aren’t you, Velyn?”
Dylan looks to me with a smile and hands me the flowers. “These are for you. Sorry, I don’t know what your favorite flower is, but the lady at the shop said I couldn’t go wrong with pink roses.”
That damn lady at the flower shop!
I nod, offering a smile in return. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.” I turn to Joan. “Would you be able to put these in water for me?” She takes the roses and heads to the back. “I’ll just grab my coat from—"
“Here you go,” Joan bellows as she comes back through the doors; my jacket and purse in hand. “I wouldn’t want you getting lost back there,” she finishes with a smirk.
I shoot her a forced grin. “Thank you; you’re so very, very kind.”
Joan snickers, almost skipping back to the kitchen. I let out a held breath and turn to Dylan. “Lead the way.”
Once we are outside the diner and settled in his car, he looks to me. “Yeah, sorry about the flowers. Connie said that when you apologize to a woman, you should always bring flowers, but now I think that may have been a little too much.”
Although relieved that there are no longer any expectations, I can’t help but feel disappointed. I think in my head, I was maybe hoping they meant more.
I let out a chuckle. “Really, it’s not a problem. I sort of thought it was a Connie suggestion.” He smiles, and with a returned smile back, I then buckle myself in and look ahead. “So, where are we headed?”
“Greek row.”
I turn to him quickly. “What? No, Dylan, I don’t like parties, seriously.”
“I know. It’s not a party. There’s actually a little cafe down the street.”
“Then why did you say Greek row?”
He lets out a laugh. “Because I wanted to see your reaction; by the way, it was priceless.”
“I thought we talked about you being an ass?” I question, only mildly annoyed at
