Page 24 of Playing the Neutral Zone

Dylan: Later, let us know what you decide.We’ll lend a hand with other suggestions.

Knox: Enjoy your night with your little lady.I know I’m going to enjoy mine.

Lucas: We’ll drop more ideas as we think of them

Clay: You can count on us.

Levi: Why am I’m suddenly worried about that?

I smiled as I dropped the phone down on the table, got up from where I was sitting, and went to see what Mia needed.

Chapter 7

Scarlett

I’d just finished my article on the last two Dominators away games and sat back in my chair, grabbing my mug of hot coffee.I took a sip while I read over my article.I placed my mug back on the table, just as my stomach let out a loud, displeased growl.I had been so busy today that I’d had nothing to eat since breakfast.I’d planned to make something to eat when I’d got home, but that had slipped my mind when I thought about my upcoming date with Levi on Saturday night.This week had flown by, making the night of our date come much faster than I was prepared for.

I got up from my chair and began searching through the fridge as my stomach let out another growl.I’d meant to stop on my way home and get some groceries but wanted to get my article done for tomorrow’s deadline.

I huffed, grabbed a slice of bread from the bag, and then opened the cupboard to grab the peanut butter, only to find that the jar was empty.I leaned up against the counter and ripped a piece off the slice of bread, shoving it into my mouth, debating what to order for dinner.I finished the slice and was about to grab another when someone knocked on the door.

I wasn’t expecting anyone.

I pulled the door open, and there stood a delivery man holding a bag of food.My mouth watered at the smell of what I was certain was Penang.

“For you, Miss,” he said, holding the bag out for me to take.

“I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong unit,” I said, going to close the door before I tore the bag from his hands.

He placed his hand on the door, holding it open, and glanced down at the receipt and shook his head.“Nope, Unit 1310,” he said, pointing to the number outside my unit.

“Oh well, someone must have written the unit down wrong, because I ordered nothing,” I said, shrugging my shoulders, once again moving to shut the door.

“Miss, I’m sorry, but I have an order here for you, from Bangkok Thai.One order of fresh vegetable rolls, one order of chicken Penang, and one order of medium chicken pad Thai, no shrimp because of an allergy.”

I frowned.That would have been exactly what I’d ordered, and there were only two people who would have known my exact order, Scottie and Levi.

“Okay, well, what do I owe you?”I said, feeling confused but desperate now as the scent of the food hit me, causing my stomach to grumble and cramp.

“No charge.The bill has been taken care of,” he said, smiling as he held the bag out for me to take.

Confused as hell, I took the bag and was about to shut the door when I stepped back out into the hall to see the delivery driver waiting for the elevator.

“Excuse me, but do you know who placed the order?”I questioned.

“I’m sorry, I don’t.I just drive and deliver.If you want to know who ordered it, just call the restaurant and ask,” he said, smiling.

I nodded.“Thank you.”

I shut and locked the door and carried the bag into the kitchen, the smell of food making me feel nauseous as my stomach ached in anticipation of being filled.I reached into the bag and dove straight for the spring rolls, taking a bite, while I pulled the other two containers from the bag.While separating the containers, I found a folded piece of paper between them and opened it.

Hope this wasn’t too much.Thought I’d surprise you after a long week.Enjoy.Levi.

Of course, it was Levi.Scottie would have ordered it but left me with the bill.I knew my brother too well, I thought as I crumpled the note and continued loading food onto my plate.

Once I’d eaten, I showered, watched a little TV, and then crawled into my bed.I’d just gotten comfortable and grabbed my phone, opening the message thread between Levi and me.I tapped the edge of my phone, debating what to send.Did I want to keep this lighthearted, or did I want to be serious?Did I want to thank him or give him shit?I had no idea why he would have done this.Regardless, I had no clue how to start the conversation.I glanced at the clock.He probably wasn’t even back in his hotel room yet.It was only a little past ten.

I began typing a message, then paused and deleted it.On the second try, I typed out a simple thank you for dinner, then deleted it, then retyped it and hit send, and then placed my phone down on the bed, picking up the book I was reading.

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