Read Chasing Stanley for Free Online

many unacceptable behaviors I don’t know where to begin.”
    Jason laughed uncertainly. Was that a reprimand or a good-natured tease? He shot a sidelong glance at Delilah. She was ribbing him.
    â€œAnything special you need me to have here before our first lesson?” Jason offered.
    â€œA copy of your schedule would be great, too. Just for future reference.”
    For a split second Jason entertained the fantasy of asking her to the Blades home opener, but then he realized: she’d be watching Stanley.
    â€œI’d also like you to go to the pet store and get him a Halti. It’s a type of training collar that looks just the same as a horse’s bridle, and more or less works on the same principle: if he starts to pull, his head will turn toward you. Just remember to tell the clerk how much Stanley weighs so they give you the right size.”
    â€œMaybe you could come with me?” Jason suggested.
    â€œYou’ll be fine,” Delilah said, edging toward the door. She seemed anxious to leave, so much so that she was having trouble unlocking the door.
    â€œAllow me,” said Jason. He opened the door for her. “Thanks for stopping by.”
    â€œYou, too.” Delilah’s shoulder bumped the doorframe as she shot out into the hall. “I mean, thanks for having me stop by. Yes. Right.”
    Jason watched her walking down the hall toward the elevator but then stopped, worried she might sense he was watching. He closed the door and turned; Stanley was right behind him.
    â€œMe and my shadow.” Jason chuckled, sidestepping Stan. “Delilah Gould,” he murmured to himself. “What’s your story?”
    Stopping off at Marcus’s, Delilah was greeted by the sight of her dear friend and assistant limbering up in his living room with an oxygen mask on.
    â€œMarcus?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œAre you all right?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThen—?”
    â€œIt’s for an audition. It’s a musical version of Blue Velvet , and I’m trying out for the part of Frank. I think the mask will help, don’t you?”
    â€œCould you take it off, please? I feel like I’m talking to Darth Vader.”
    Marcus peeled off the mask with a huff. “Better?”
    â€œMuch.”
    Delilah handed him his pay for the week—all in cash, since Marcus worked off the books.
    â€œYou need to talk to Mrs. Schemering about the collar she’s got on Muffin,” said Marcus. “Muffin says it’s affecting her singing voice.”
    â€œMuffin sings?”
    â€œYes. I’m sure it just sounds like barking to you.”
    â€œHow come Muffin never talks to me?”
    â€œ ’Cause I’ve got the shine, and you don’t.”
    â€œI think the hockey player likes me,” Delilah blurted.
    Marcus swiped at fake tears. “Frank, our little girl is turning into a woman!”
    â€œShut up.” Delilah was in no mood to be teased.
    Marcus patted her shoulder. “Tell Uncle Marcus all about it while he puts up the kettle.”
    Delilah followed him into the tiny kitchen, whose cupboards were almost always bare. She suspected part of the reason Marcus was so lithe was because he barely ate.
    â€œI take it he passed his interview,” said Marcus.
    â€œYes. I’m going to begin training them on Thursday.”
    Marcus’s face fell. “I was hoping you could cover for me Thursday morning. That’s when my audition is.”
    â€œIt won’t be a problem. The lesson’s not until the afternoon.”
    â€œThank God.” Marcus held up two boxes of tea, shaking them. “I’ve got some plain old Lipton that’s probably five years old, and some echinacea that’s supposed to help with colds but does diddly.”
    â€œI’ll take the echinacea.” Delilah worried perhaps Marcus might not be the best person to talk to about Jason. Maybe she should run it by one of