Sincerely, Vintage

Part 11

Kol

The sun was setting on the "wrong" side of town. Kol dangled his legs over the edge of the roof, savoring the feeling of the breeze on his face. Up here was the only place he could truly think.

"Hey boss."

Kol turned to see the top half of one of his... he didn't really know what to call them. On this side of town, he couldn't afford to have friends. Instead, he had...

People I don't hate as much as everyone else, Kol mused.

He turned to look at the half of a man sticking out of the skylight.

"What's up?"

"There's something downstairs you might want to see."

Kol got to his feet and descended back into the dimly lit restaurant he'd left behind. The two of them slipped into a table near the back of the room. Everything was shrouded in shadow but gilded by the neon lights on the wall.

"See the girl with bright pink hair?"

The man pointed, but the movement was unnecessary. Kol noticed her immediately. She was sitting across from a guy at one of the few well-lit tables in the room. Well-lit enough for him to make out the guy's face.

"That's them, alright."

As Kol and his companion watched, two more unfamiliar people slipped through the door a few minutes later. The few light fixtures in the room highlighted the details of the young woman's face. Even from across the room, Kol could tell she was beautiful. The man behind her cast careful glances around the restaurant before leading her to a booth across from Neon Pink Girl. Kol watched the two of them settle in; the young woman tilted her head back and laughed at something her friend had said.

They'd be cute together.

Kol shook the distraction from his mind and stood up, a grin of anticipation already sparking across his face. This was going to be fun.

He crossed the room and planted both hands on the edge of Neon Pink Girl's table, just a little bit louder than necessary.

"Can I get you two started with some drinks this evening?"

Neon girl glared back at him in stony silence. Her friend looked Kol in the eyes, unflinching.

Strong silent type. Interesting.

"Actually, we're not here for dinner."

"Oh?"

"Is there somewhere we could talk? In private?"

"Can I get a name for the order?" Kol carried on as if the man hadn't spoken. He was enjoying watching Miss Neon stew in her seat.

"Tracey," she muttered.

"And I'm Vince."

"Well then." Kol stood abruptly. "Right this way."