“Can I come over?”
Silence, and then, “Bring wine.I’m out.”The line goes dead, and I’m out the door with my keys and wallet in the next heartbeat.
* * *
A few days later,the weather is turning pleasant as Spring decides to step out and play, which is why I decide to roll down my windows as I drive to work, enjoying the cool breeze.My jacket in the passenger seat, I wonder if I should pick up a coffee when I see a café.It’s empty, which is rare for this time of day, so I decide to get breakfast as well.
I order my usual—something sweet and caffeinated—and grab a couple of Danish pastries from the display case.About to pay, I spot the familiar burgundy packaging on the shelf behind the counter.Megan’s obsession with this particular brand has been drilled into my head for months.Without really thinking about it, I point to the coffee beans.“Add one of those.”
The savory breakfast sandwiches catch my eye next.Eve mentioned she doesn’t usually eat breakfast, and I remember her always going for the salty stuff over sweet.I point to one with bacon and egg.“Does that one have tomatoes?”I ask.
The barista peers at the sandwich.“Yeah, sliced tomatoes and lettuce.”
“Can you make it without the tomatoes?”
“Sure, no problem.”She starts assembling a fresh one.“Allergy?”
“She just doesn’t like them.”The words come out automatically, and I grab another sandwich, this one with sausage and cheese.
“Your girlfriend has good taste,” the barista says with a smile as she wraps everything up.“The tomatoes here are pretty bland anyway.”
I don’t bother correcting her.“Right.Thanks.”I pocket the receipt and jog back to my car, eager to get to the office.
I’m walking in through the lobby instead of taking the garage elevator, trying to soak up as much of the sun as I can, when I spot Jake stepping into the elevator.Rushing forward, I slide in just before the doors close.
“Morning, sunshine,” he says, eyeing the bags in my hands.“What’ve you got there?”Before I can answer, he’s reaching for one of the bags.I pull it away.
“Not for you.”
Jake’s eyebrows shoot up, and that knowing grin spreads across his face.“So who is it for?”
I waggle my brows.“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
My brother cocks his head, studying me.“Don’t tell me this is for the girl whose desk you wrapped in princess paper.”
I give him a look.“Remember how I asked about you and Iris, and you told me to mind my own business?”I make a gun motion with my finger and click my tongue.“How does it feel?”
Jake chuckles, leaning against the elevator wall.“Touché.But come on, you brought her breakfast?That’s practically a declaration of intent.”
“It’s food, Jake.Just food.”
He gestures at how I’m clutching the bags.“When’s the last time you brought anyone breakfast?”
Never.But I’m not giving him that ammunition.“Maybe I’m just being nice.”
“You?”Jake snorts.“Nice isn’t exactly your default setting, little brother.Trouble is.”
The elevator dings at the seventh floor—my floor.I step toward the doors.
“Wait,” Jake says, holding the door open.“Is this for Eve?”I put my fingers on my lips, and Jake’s grin widens.“Holy shit, you like a girl.”
“I won’t ask about Iris if you don’t ask about Eve,” I offer.
He considers it and sighs.“Deal.”However, from the smirk on his lips, he’ll be investigating.Nosy fucker.
Eve’s already at her desk when I enter the office, nursing a cup of coffee.Steven’s surprisingly early, too, typing away at his laptop.I walk up behind Eve’s chair and dangle the bag in front of her face.“Look what I got you.”
She glances up from her screen, eyebrows raised.“What’s this?”
