“I made extra. Thought you might be hungry.” I keep my voice light, casual. “Wouldn’t want anyone’s blood sugar to get low. Power tools and lightheadedness don’t mix well.”
“We were going to order pizza,” Patton says.
“Pizza is good. But so are fresh, homemade meals.” I gesture to the sandwiches. “Turkey, roast beef, and a veggie option for anyone who’s into that.”
Notably, that particular sandwich is neglected. I’ll offer it to Mindy. In addition to her “flavor of the week,” she rotates through a new diet or eating plan on a regular basis.
Thanking me, the crew swarms the food like ants at a picnic and takes a lunch break, chatting animatedly.
Patton remains by me, looking confused, suspicious … attractive.
“Why’d you do this?” he asks.
“I wanted to.” The truth and a thin plan to win the bet tangle together. “Besides, I needed to check on your progress. Parks & Rec has a vested interest in this project.”
“Right. Official business.”
“Exactly, and it looks like things are coming along nicely.”
He narrows his eyes. “I’m suspicious. You’re acting strange.”
“I’m being nice.”
“Same thing. You could’ve just called.”
“I could’ve, but I’m not above bribery.”
He snaps his fingers. “I knew it. What do you want?”
“I’m joking. Can’t a person just bring lunch without an ulterior motive?” Guilt skulks off as shame over how this could be viewed as manipulative, takes its place like a gold medal winner on the podium.
Patton says, “Not you. You probably have a five-point agenda.”
“Only three points, actually. You’re overestimating me. If you feel morally compromised by lunch, that says more about you than it does about yours truly.”
He almost smiles. “I feel very compromised.”
We end up sitting on the back steps together, sandwiches balanced on our knees. It’s an unseasonably warm winter day and the sun feels good on my face.
“This is good. Thanks, by the way,” Patton says.
“Grandma Joyce takes lunch very seriously.”
“Like her Great Brownie Battle with Judy?”
“Much like that.” I take a bite of my own sandwich.
Patton tells me about progress and adds, “We’re on schedule for the early spring opening.”
“Austin said customers will be able to slide down the brass pole.”
He waggles his eyebrows. “Yep. Want to try it?”
I nearly choke on my cranberry juice. “Um, is that safe?”
“Yes.”
“Is it allowed?”
