“What’s the name on the order?”
“Xavier.”
I gave Xavier the total, processed the payment, then asked for the address.
I blinked as I typed my own address into the computer, but he verified it when I repeated it back to him.
I glanced at the clock. My shift would be over in half an hour, and it took fifteen minutes to get home. No need to trouble my delivery driver when I was headed there anyway.
“It’ll be there in forty-five minutes,” I informed Xavier.
“Cool. Thanks!”
“You’re welcome.”
He hung up, and I brought up another order screen where I typed in my dinner. Then I walked back and ducked my head into the kitchen. “Fire mine so that it times up with the four large and breadsticks that just came through. I’ll deliver the pizzas on my way home.”
Since they’re going to my home…
“You got it!” the night manager, Marco, called back.
I finished closing out the sales for the day shift, made sure the night crew had enough cash in the drawer, and clocked out just in time to hear my name called from the kitchen. I snagged a delivery bag as I headed in.
“Order up!” Marco teased. “Four large pizzas, breadsticks, and a Greek salad.”
“Thanks, man,” I said as I slid the pizzas into the insulated bag. “You’re good for tonight?”
He gave me a thumbs-up. “All good. See ya tomorrow.”
I nodded and closed the bag. “Tomorrow.”
Fifteen minutes later I parked on the street in front of the house, hoisted the bag, and carried it to the front door.
“Pizza’s here!” I called out once I’d entered my door code and strolled inside.
“The fuck?” a tall athletic man with warm brown skin and short black coiled hair cried, standing as several more people gawked.
I smiled. “Xavier?”
He studied me, brown eyes narrowing. “Yeah?”
“I take it you’re the new roommate?”
He contemplated me for a few seconds, then nodded. “Master bedroom.”
I grinned and held out my free hand. “Owen. I’m in the basement.”
He walked over and shook my hand. “And you met the pizza guy out front?”
I laughed. “No, I am the pizza guy… kinda. I’m actually the manager, but you called right at the end of my shift. I was going to get here sooner than the delivery driver so I brought it.”
A moment of silence, then he burst into rich laughter. “Terry said you worked at a pizza place but didn’t know which one.”
I grinned. “Lucky try then.”
I motioned to the people assembled in the room. “Let me set this down so everybody can dig in. I’m assuming these are friends who helped you move?”
He grinned, teeth white against his dark skin. “Yep!”
