Page 24 of Obeying the Owner

Her reply makes me laugh out loud.

How about some chicken soup? I can have some delivered.

I guess that’ll do.

I’m gonna order you some stuff now. I’m assuming you’ll be out for the next couple of days too.

Yes. This isn’t going away anytime soon.

You poor thing. I’ll check in on you later.

When I’m better, I want details of your date.

Sounds good.

I pull up one of the local grocery store websites and add everything I can think of that Sheryl might need over the next few days.

And I make sure to throw in some of the deli section’s homemade chicken soup and oyster crackers to the order.

When I check out, I can’t help but grimace at the total dollar amount. I’m not paying rent right now, so I can afford to help a friend. But at the pathetic rate I save money, I’ll be living with Niall for longer than I’d like. At least I have a roof over my head and a safe, comfortable place to sleep every night.

My cell phone vibrates, and I assume it’s Sheryl again.

Lucy: Want to get together for lunch?

Yes! Where and what time?

I’ll meet you at the sub shop near your work at noon. If you get there before me, I want pizza.

A little zing of satisfaction runs through me as I’m reminded of the safe word I chose.

Perfect. See you then.

I smile as I send my reply.

What a nice surprise! With Sheryl out sick, I had planned to eat at my desk, but now I have something to look forward to, which hopefully will help the morning pass quickly.

* * *

I’m already seated at a table for lunch when Lucy enters the sub shop. She smiles when she sees me, and walks right over.

“Hey, bestie,” I say. It’s kind of a joke about how quickly we clicked when we met.

But she really is the closest thing I have to a best friend in South Carolina.

“Hey, Maeve. How’s your day going?”

“Better now. I’m so glad you texted me. I love getting out of the office for lunch.”

“I’m working from home today, and I needed a break too.”

Lucy hosts a local show about Bigfoot, and she’s been gaining more attention lately, which is increasing her viewership. She’s hoping for national syndication.

“I ordered a pizza for us, and it should be ready soon,” I tell her.

“Thank you. I’m so hungry. I’ve been staying at your brother’s so much that I haven’t done any of my own grocery shopping. I basically had a handful of crackers with my coffee this morning.”

“I didn’t eat this morning. I was running late. Well, not late, but late for me,” I say, laughing.

---