The Dragon King

Chapter Sixteen

Riverton

    Levi walked along side a fence, Imani to his right, when she stopped him and gestured to his left. He turned to see building painted a light green with a sign on the front reading "Tatiana's Diner".

    He turned and glanced the place over. It was a one story building with wooden tables seated outside under umbrellas. He smiled. "This looks like a cozy place. No wonder the teens want to hang out here after school."

    Imani playfully elbowed him. "Well, that, and she gives them a small discount on shakes." She giggled as she sped past him and opened the door.

    His smile brightened as he shook his head. He stepped through the open door, and breathed in the smell of hamburgers and bacon frying in the kitchen.

    To his right stretched a counter with barstools, and the kitchen directly behind it. To his left were blue patted booths that lined the wall, and tables and chairs spread out across the rest of the floor.

    He watched as many teenagers crowded around the counter as a young, dark complexioned, woman busted about taking orders.

    Levi laughed. "I guess you weren't kidding."

    Imani stepped around him, and sat down at one of the booths. He followed her and sat across, slipping off his backpack. He unzipped his jacket, and laid it beside him on the booth along with his backpack as Imani unbuttoned her jacket and did the same.

    She sighed as she placed her hands on the table. "You're going to love the food here. I come here every day after school to get dinner." She rolled her eyes. "My dad's always busy finishing up some paperwork. I usually bring him diner home unless he tells me not to."

    Levi sighed and rubbed his cold hands together. "Smells delicious! Whatever they're cooking back there."

    Imani smiled. "Oh!" She pointed at him. "The mayor won't be upset your not home for dinner, will she? I totally forgot to even make sure you were okay with this."

    He lowered his gaze to his hands as his smile dropped. "Well, let's just say I don't care if she is. I've honestly been trying to avoid her, and breakfast didn't go so smoothly this morning you might say."

    She gritted her teeth. "Sorry to hear that."

    He shrugged. "Nothing I can do about it I supposed." His smile returned. "I wouldn't want to be thrown in jail for upsetting her."

    Imani laughed as she playfully hit him on the hand.

    A man stalked over to their booth, same dark complexion as Imani and the woman at the counter, and gave a bright smile as he held up a notepad and pencil. "Nice to see you again, Imani," he said, his accent matching Imani's. "Your usual?"

    She smiled at him. "Hello, Nicholas! And yes please."

    Nicholas turned toward Levi, and pointed at him with the pencil. "What about you, young man? Never seen you around these parts before."

    "I'm new," Levi replied, his smile remaining. He glanced around at the table. "I completely forgot to look at a menu." He pointed toward Imani. "Just give me what she's having."

    Nicholas winked. "You got it!"

    When he walked away, Levi chuckled below his breath. "You sure he's not the reason you come here every day?"

    Imani narrowed his eyes at him. "Shut up! He is not! He and Tatiana are married. They run the place. I wouldn't dare think of him in that way!"