I glance at Josh, who tries to hide his smile behind his hand, but I can still see one of his dimples. Amusement sparkles in his eyes.
“Yeah, exactly! It’s only four thirty. What brings you guys here so early? That’s like an early, early bird dinner,” Sophia says.
“We forgot to buy groceries again, so we haven’t eaten anything yet. And you know how grumpy Josh gets without his sugar fix,” Clay answers, grabbing a pen from my desk to fiddle with.
“Just because I don’t like going hungry doesn’t mean I’m grumpy,” Josh murmurs. “We thought we’d grab something small to eat, and you can have a tea or something, and later, we can go get some takeout and bring you something?”
“All right,” Sophia agrees, getting up from her chair.
“Come on, Karen, you can’t say no to tea,” Clay adds, twirling the pen between his fingers.
I’m about to respond when Sophia interrupts, “Carolina is going home now.”
I look at her in shock, wondering what I did wrong. “I am?”
“You are. Get some rest. We’ve done enough for today,” she says.
I quickly pack my bag and follow them out of the office.
“Hey, how are you, Carolina?” Josh asks, walking beside me, his arm occasionally brushing against mine.
“All right, thanks. You?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent, but being mean to him is becoming harder the longer I know him. He’s just such a genuinely nice and kind person.
I think I like him.
“I’m good, thank you.” He smiles. “We’re planning to go to this burger place later, and they have the best donuts. Do you like donuts?”
“Sure.” I shrug, not quite sure where he’s going.
Is he thinking food would be a good conversation starter with the fat girl?
“I could grab some for you guys too, and bring them over tomorrow,” he offers.
“That’s kind but not necessary,” I reply, just as we reach the hallway leading to the exit. “See you.”
“Bye, Carolina,” I hear Josh say.
Then Clay, in a teasing, high-pitched voice, adds, “Bye, Carolina,” and makes smooching sounds.
“Shut up, idiot,” Josh hisses at him.
With my back turned to them, I can’t help but smile.
Since I havean extra hour of free time, I decide to make my way to the homeless shelter, grabbing two burgers along the way. I find Howie lying on his bed, his eyes closed, and fingers crossed over his chest. Thinking he’s asleep, I plan to leave the burger for him and quietly exit when he speaks up.
“You were just here two days ago, kid,” he murmurs, his eyes still shut. “Did something happen again? Did Chiara get herself locked up?”
“Why can’t I just bring you a burger and spend some time with you?” I ask, settling down on the edge of the bed.
“You certainly can, but would you come all the way here just for that?” he asks. He sits up and joins me on the edge of the bed, so I hand him his burger. “You have no idea how much I miss my daily burgers,” he says, opening the package and taking a bite. “Thank you.”
He still seems skinny, but there’s a bit more to him now. “The food here treats you well. You’re looking good.”
He shrugs it off. “Just packing on my winter fat while I can.” His eyebrow shoots up. “What brings you here, Lina?”
“So, I told you I’m interning at the toxicology unit at NYPD,” I say.
He nods. “Yeah, you did. I may be old, but I’m not senile.”
