“She’s a great doctor,” I said slowly. I wasn’t sure that we’d get along that well outside of that zone.
“She’s a sweetheart, really,” Travis replied. “You both should, though. It’d be a good thing. I plan to marry her, so you might as well become friends.”
“Have you met me? I don’t make friends easily,” I laughed before my brain could stop the words from coming out.
“You are an amazing little sister,” Travis said, his voice filled with adoration. “Anyone can see how much of an amazing person you are. Just give her a chance and you’ll be surprised.”
“Alright,” I sighed out, not wanting to fight with him. “I do get along with you well enough.”
“I’m easy,” Travis laughed, glad that I gave in so quickly.
I had to wonder what I had just signed up for.
Chapter 25
Avidya
“Burger Palace?” I asked, reading neon blue the sign above the small diner.
We stood on the sidewalk, the smell of perfect hamburgers and French fries floated out from the open door. The red brick, although slightly faded in spots from the weather, stood out from the neighboring stores and the coffee shop that was just two doors down.
I had not been here, ever. It was hard to hardly have been anywhere, then again I was never allowed to go shopping myself, and now that I could, I had no idea where to even start.
“Yep,” Travis answered happily as he stood beside me. “Small, but popular diner here and well worth it. Trust me.”
“I’ll so have to come back to here to window shop,” I muttered out, glancing down the sidewalk and seeing a number of stores.
“Maybe you can have a girl’s day out soon. Be good for you, and your mother-in-law,” Travis mused. “Then you’d be able to do more than just window shop.”
“Maybe,” I said. I did like that idea, but was nervous too. I’d never done something like that. There was a lot that I hadn’t done yet.
“Let’s go get some grub,” Travis said, leading the way into the diner.
Stepping in through the open door, I took a moment to look around. A number of black leather booths were lined up against the wall on one side with different colored hanging lights from the ceiling. Along the other side of the diner, a bar area with matching stools faced the kitchen portion. The speckled white floor was shiny and reflected the lights.
Some sort of bluegrass, banjo song was playing on speakers throughout the diner. The rhythm of it was upbeat in its own way.
There were only a handful of people inside, leaving more than enough booths open as I followed my brother to one of the many tables. He waited for me to sit before he took his own seat across from me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two of my guards take seats at the bar area and survey the place. Zachariah had been right about me not even really noticing them unless I knew where they were. I probably wouldn’t even have seen them if I wasn’t looking.
Within seconds, a server laid down menus in front of us both. “Welcome! I’ll be back in a few to get your orders!” Her black hair was pinned up on her head, a few stray pieces falling around her dark face.
She was off again without giving either of us a glance.
“Have whatever you want,” Travis said, looking down at his menu. “I’m paying.”
“You should,” I stated, looking at him. “You offered me lunch.”
He gave me an amused shake of his head. “Zach is rubbing off on you, Vidie.”
“Or maybe I’m rubbing off on him,” I mused, looking down at the menu.
Everything on the menu was a hamburger of some sort. Regular. Pickled. Pizza style.
Deciding on a regular hamburger and a side of fries and a glass of water, I waited for Travis to decide himself.
“So, how’s life going?” Travis asked, setting his menu on the table and folding his arms over the top. His eyes took me in, looking for any sign that I wasn’t telling the truth.
