Page 20 of Brew

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“Yeah, but it makes a statement.”

“I can’t argue with that, but sadly tomorrow we’ll be back driving the minivan now that the battery has been replaced.”

“I like the van too,” she tells me, never one to hurt my feelings. “It’s got character.”

“It certainly has plenty of that.”

When I get to our apartment, the doorman greets us.

“I have an Uber Eats delivery for you, Erica,” Jackson says. “They were just delivered.”

I frown. “Oh, there must be some mistake, I didn’t order any,” I say.

Olive bends over the counter to read the ticket. “It has your name on it, Mom.”

I frown. “My name?”

“Yep, it’s from that Thai place on Main, the one we went to for my birthday.”

“Oh.” I bend to look closer. Someone ordered us Thai food? “That’s odd.”

“Just the messenger.” Jackson smiles. “Bon appetite.”

“Thanks, Jackson,” I say, then to Olive, “let’s get in and we’ll figure it out.”

Olive takes the bags with glee. “It smells delicious,” she says as we get in the elevator, but I hate to disappoint her. I’m not just going to eat food left on my doorstep by some random stranger. It’s weird.

As we get inside, my phone dings as I set my bag onto the counter. When I fish it out, I’m surprised to see Brew’s text.

Brew

I organized dinner

That’s it. No explanation, nothing. While I’m relieved we don’t have to throw good food away, I don’t know why he did that.

Me

Thanks. You didn’t have to do that, but Thai is Olive’s favorite

It takes five minutes to get his reply.

Brew

I know

Me

Are you saving me from having to cook?

I stare at his words. How can so little mean so much? He bought us Thai food for no reason other than he knew we’d be getting in late and wouldn’t have eaten yet.

I make all of my own food, so having takeout is a luxury for us.

Brew

That’s what good bosses do

That is pantymelting hot, and it shouldn’t be.

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