I blink at him. “I… didn’t order anything.”
He shows me his phone. “This is your address, yes?”
I squint to look at his phone and, sure enough, it’s my address with my name on it.
“Well, that’s weird,” I mutter as I take the bag. “Hold on, let me grab a tip.”
“Already covered,” he says with a polite nod. “Have a good morning.”
Before I can protest, he’s already walking away from my front door.
I stand there for a moment, completely baffled, before shutting the door and carrying the bag back to my nest. Pickles follows closely, his nose booping against the back of my calf while I hear his tail slapping against the floor.
“Guess we got breakfast,” I tell him as I set the bag on my kitchen counter. “I wonder who this is from?”
I look down at Pickles, but he just stares back up at me, his head tilting to the side.
I abandon the bag long enough to get Pickles some fresh food and water in his bowls. Then my attention turns back to the brown paper bag. The smells draw me in, and when I unravel the top of it, I can’t help but flutter my eyes closed.
It smells like bacon and eggs.
Inside is a neatly wrapped sandwich that I pull out and set onto the countertop. A small Styrofoam container in the bag underneath it smells very much like hashbrowns. And down at the bottom of the bag? A folded-up piece of paper.
“What the…?”
My curiosity is piqued as I reach for the piece of paper and unfold it. When I read the note that’s come with my breakfast, I can’t help the smile that crosses my face.
I also can’t help the yearning ache that seems to have made its home in my gut.
Good morning, beautiful. Eat, and make sure you drink your tea from Dr. Quinn.
– Walker
Of course this is from him.
I reach for one of my tea bags sitting beside my stove and drop it into the hot water. The smell of herbs rises almost instantly as I unwrap the sandwich.
I was right. Bacon, egg, and cheese.
Ugh, I love melty cheese.
“Okay,” I murmur as my stomach growls. “Maybe I needed this after all.”
I’ve just taken my first bite when my phone dings. Pickles’ ears perk up and he lets out a little woof, like I didn’t just hear the same sound he did. I wipe my fingers off on some napkins that came with my breakfast and retrieve my phone from my purse.
I’m honestly shocked it’s still got battery left after not being plugged in all night.
Eli:Morning, Alley Cat. How you feeling?
My fingers tap against the keyboard as I make my way back into the kitchen.
Lia:Better, actually. How are you? How’s Amber doing?
Three dots appear almost immediately.
Eli:That’s good. I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’m doing okay, but Amber’s not feeling well.
My heart sinks a little.
