Dave
Oh, really?So you’re saying if I want to be an astronaut, I should eat Corn Flakes for training?
Sara
Precisely!It’s obviously the far superior cereal since it has been in space.No other cereal compares.
Dave
Is that why you have me picking up two boxes this week?
Sara
No, I’m having you pick up two because I want you to keep one.Think of me when you’re eating it.I know I will when I’m enjoying it… late at night
I shake my head, refocusing on the order in front of me, and shove my feelings and attractions away.That’s a problem for future Dave.
I accept the order, then rearrange my current order for Gretchen.I don’t want to mix up their order or miss picking up a requested item.This job may be my side gig, but I pride myself in my work; I’ve never gotten a complaint for a wrong delivery.My phone buzzes in the cart with a message from Sara.
Sara
Thanks for taking my order again.You must really like Target.
I grin like an idiot, my fingers flying over the screen.
Dave
Only because I think you’re worth the extra aisle-cruising.
A little digital ping tells me she’s read it.My chest tightens in a way I can’t explain.Flirting with her is so easy, even when I’m being a complete goofball.
I finish loading her items into my cart, double-check to make sure I got everything, then make my way to the checkout.It was a small order today, and nothing that was super urgent.It makes me wonder if she requested another delivery just to talk to me.The thought has me excited at the possibility of more.Maybe today, I should wait at her door during drop-off and tell her who I really am.
I’m loading the last bag into my trunk when a message from Aiden comes through.
Aiden
Hey!Do you have plans tonight?
Dave
Nothing solid planned.What’s up?Need me to watch Jake again?
Aiden is my neighbor, a few houses down.He and his best friend, Eli, moved in a few months after Sara.
Mr.Jones finally decided it was time to retire to Florida—said he was done with the unpredictable weather—and put his house on the market.Since the housing market was down at the time, the place went fast.I think it took them less than a week to close and move in.
I’ve puppy-sat for Aiden a few times while he was in the middle of his medical internship, and now I usually do it whenever he and his girlfriend, Charlie, go out of town.She’s the sweetest.Every time I watch Jake—their Yorkie mix—she brings over a loaf of homemade sourdough as a thank-you.It usually lasts about two days before I’m dragging myself to the gym with Eli on day three, trying to work off the extra carbs.
Funny story—Eli is dating Charlie’s twin sister, Claire.And Aiden and Charlie actually got together after he mistook Charlie for Claire during a fake kidnapping he and Eli planned.I know—it’s one of those stories that sounds so far-fetched it could be a movie plot.I remember when they first told me at Eagleton Saloon, I was convinced they were messing with me.
Aiden
Not this weekend.Charlie took him back to Everly Falls.I swear she loves that dog more than she loves me.Eli and I were going to grab a beer at Eagleton Saloon, just seeing if you wanted to join.
Dave
Oh yeah, man.I’ll be there.
