Page 41 of Stella

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“And you’re making lunch?”

I smile sheepishly. “It was for you,” I lie. “Thought it might help you calm that temper down, I know how you get when you’re hangry.”

He narrows his eyes like he doesn’t believe me, but I retrieve my half-eaten grilled cheese, plus the second one I’m currently toasting, and he smiles appreciatively. “Now that’s a good prospect. I should’ve thought of this earlier.”

“I answer to Tag,” I call after him as he saunters away, eating my lunch.

I peer into the bag and then laugh. There’s a Planet Burger, fries, and I don’t know for the life of me what is in the cup. It looks like green gunge.

Me

Thanks, but what’s the drink? It smells bad

Detective Callaghan

It’s a hangover cure from Just Juicy, trust me, they work

I smile to myself as I pull the food out. That’s kinda sweet of him, but I doubt he’s ever been drunk in his entire life. He was at a bar, didn’t finish his drink, then drove me home. There’s no way he would’ve done that if under the influence. Damn do-gooder. I smile at the memory… Did I touch his face?

What’s worse? Seeing the messages I sent just above when I said all of those embarrassing things thinking it was Anshul. What a lunatic.

I take a sip. It’s a mixture of apple, I think, and ginger, and maybe some lime. It tastes better than it looks.

Me

It’s not too bad

Detective Callaghan

Drink it all up. You’ll feel better

I chomp into the burger. I had junk food last night too, but weekends don’t count. Then I stop in my tracks.

I tap out another message.

Me

Wait, how did you know I was at the clubhouse?

A reply bounces back in two seconds.

Detective Callaghan

Lucky guess

I keep eating, eyeing my phone, waiting for him to say something else, but he doesn’t. He sent me freaking food? And a hangover cure? Who even is this man?

Me

Listen, about last night and those texts… I was pretty hammered

Notthathammered, but he doesn’t need to know that.

Detective Callaghan

I thought you didn’t get drunk?

Me

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