“Let me walk you to your car,” Ben said as they filed out of the row into the aisle.
Amelia had no reason to deny his request, so she nodded. They wove around groups of people, eventually making their way to the large doors of the church. A glance over her shoulder revealed that Luca was trailing them.
“Take care of yourself,” Ben said when they reached her car. “What are you going to have for lunch?”
“I’m not sure yet,” she said as she opened the door and put her purse and Bible on the passenger seat. “But I’m sure I’ll figure something out.”
She slowly slid behind the wheel, then looked up at Ben and gave him a smile. “See you tomorrow.”
“Definitely.” He returned her smile, then closed her door and stepped back to stand with Luca.
Amelia struggled with a sense of despair as she drove home. She wanted to spend more time with Ben in the way she once had, and it was hard to accept that she couldn’t.
It probably wouldn’t take long for Ben to realize that he’d dodged a bullet. When he saw how often she had to turn down opportunities to hang out, he’d be relieved she’d turned him down for the date.
Back at the apartment, she changed into a pair of loose cotton shorts and an oversized T-shirt. She was standing in front of her fridge, trying to figure out what she wanted to eat when her security panel intercom buzzed.
Frowning in confusion, she walked over and answered it.
“I’ve got a delivery from the diner for Amelia Madden.”
Amelia was confused, so she didn’t reply right away.
“Hello? Can I bring this up?”
“Oh, yeah.”
She pressed the button to unlock the door, then moved to her door and peered through the peephole. Soon enough, a lanky teen appeared and approached her door.
After he knocked, she opened the door to see what the delivery was all about.
“Here you go,” he said. “Enjoy.”
She watched him walk away and disappear down the staircase at the end of the hall. Once he was gone, she stepped back into her apartment, letting the door swing shut.
Walking to the kitchen, she looked down at the bag she was holding. It was the same as the one they’d gotten when they’d gone to the park to eat.
Had Ben ordered this for her?
She set the bag on the counter and opened it. After lifting out the food and drink, she discovered that it was the same food she’d had the previous Sunday along with a chocolate milkshake.
Ben knew that both were things she really enjoyed, so it had to be from him.
Warmth flowed through her at the thought of him placing the order and arranging for it to be delivered to her.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and sent a quick text to Ben.
Did you send me lunch?
A minute later, her phone pinged with his reply.
Ben:Thought you might enjoy it.
The thoughtfulness of the gesture brought a smile to her face. How had he known she'd be standing in front of her fridge, struggling to decide what to eat?
Thank you. You didn't have to do that.
His reply came quickly.
