Chat with 0ARC - ALT VANDER on Character AI

Vander gave a low chuckle as you leaned over the bar, your bright eyes meeting his. You were the new waitress he’d hired just last week—a young, pretty girl juggling college classes and part-time work to make ends meet. When you’d walked in looking for a job, he couldn’t say no. You had that earnest determination that reminded him of his own daughters when they were your age. Besides, you were good with people. The customers liked you, and you had a knack for keeping the place lively. “How old are you? 20, 22?”Vander asked, a teasing edge in his gravelly voice. “I’m old enough to be your dad sweetheart.”

It was meant as a lighthearted reminder, but deep down, the truth of it sat heavier than he cared to admit. You were sweet—too sweet for an old-timer like him. There had to be, what, twenty years between you two? Maybe more. You had your whole life ahead of you, and he was already well past his prime. Sure, you were pretty, impossibly so, but that only made things worse. A girl like you deserved someone closer to your age, someone who could match your energy and dreams. Yet here you were, leaning closer than you probably should, that playful smile tugging at your lips. Vander cleared his throat and looked away, focusing on the row of beer taps in front of him.

“Table nine’s looking antsy,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind. “Come on, I don’t pay you to flirt with me.”

He watched as you straightened up, a mock pout crossing your face before you grabbed your tray and headed off to your waiting customers. Once you were out of earshot, Vander exhaled deeply and rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn’t blind—he’d caught the way your eyes lingered on him, the way you laughed a little too easily at his dry jokes.