Page 28 of The Wrong Date Deal

He shot her a confused look. “Three things? Are you really hungry?”

“Absolutely. And I’m feeling a tasting platter of sorts.” She wasn’t especially hungry—just a normal amount after a workday—but she doubted Ford had been eating well enough lately, and, running on fumes as he seemed to be, he needed nutrients. If she ordered a bunch of dishes for them to share, he’d eat plenty.

He laughed. “Fair enough.”

“Great.” She nodded at his books. “Pack your stuff up, text your roommates that you have the rent covered, and let’s head to my place. You can decide where we’re eating on the way.”

He stood up, his eyes looking like he might burst into tears from relief. “You know you don’t have to do this, right?”

“I know that, but I love you and I want to help.”

He pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank you, August. Truly.”

“Of course.” She refused to let go first, letting him process his stress and emotions, but, when he finally did pull back, she was glad to see how much stress appeared to have dropped from his face.

He needed a better living situation but August knew this was not the moment for that conversation. It wasn’t her decision to make, either. She just didn’t want to lose everything that made FordFordwhile he lived here.

He’d barely sent the message to his roommates before he was laughing. He looked up at August looking exhausted but happy. “They’re all really relieved and grateful.”

She smiled. “I’m glad.”

He laughed again. “Zach’s calling out of work tonight.”

“If he’s been working as much as you have, I can only imagine he needs the sleep.”

“Yeah.” He shook his head. “He’s been pulling all-nighters working at this gas station.”

“Delightful, I’m sure.”

Ford shrugged. “It pays, I guess.”

August nodded. “Go pack your bag. I’ll be back in ten.”

After he disappeared in the direction of his room, August headed back downstairs and out onto the street. It wasn’t quite the gourmet meal she was about to treat Ford to, but she could at least give his roommates food for tonight. She didn’t like the way they treated him, but, by the sounds of it, they’d all been worrying themselves sick and working themselves half to death trying to cover their expenses. She could give them a night off from that.

It didn’t take long to pick up three large pizzas from the place at the corner of the street. Ford shot her a look when she reentered the apartment holding them.

“Cheese, veggie, and pepperoni,” she said, sliding them onto the table that was now clear of Ford’s books.

“You want three pizzas and three dishes of my choosing?” he asked, staring at her with wide eyes.

She laughed. “No. These are for your roommates. You can tell them to come get ’em while they’re hot. I thought you could all use a night to relax.”

His face morphed from confusion into something heartbreaking. “You didn’t need to do that. You don’t even like them…”

“So?” August shrugged. “I don’t like the way they treat you, but they don’t deserve to suffer.”

“You’re already doing so much.”

“Ford. It’s fine. I can afford to help and I can afford three pizzas. Everything is fine. I promise.”

He looked teary again, and August knew that was a sign of how fatigued he was. He nodded.

She bumped him with her shoulder. “Come on, Fordy. Let’s go home and get some food. I’ll even tell you all about my latest adventures in dating to keep you entertained.”

He laughed, still looking emotional. “Okay. I am interested to hear about that.”

She grinned and swept him out of his apartment, feeling a lot better now she knew he was going to be okay.

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