Page 21 of Love Is Brewing

“Nah,” he said. “They are good about things. Depends on what you order. I get a lot and bring it home for leftovers.”

“Oh,” she said. “So you’re picking it up to go and not eating here?”

Was that disappointment in her voice?

“That was the plan,” he said. “Thought that is what you were doing too.”

“No,” she said. “Just hungry. Been a long day. I need to get out more and figured I’d start with this.”

“Want some company?” he asked before he could stop himself.

She seemed to hesitate and then said, “But you’re picking food up.”

“Which can wait and I’ll get it when I leave.”

“Are you always this accommodating?” she asked.

“I am when a pretty woman brings up having dinner with her.”

“You brought it up,” she said, laughing. “Not me.”

“You’re right,” he said. “I did. But maybe I was seeing something you don’t want to admit.”

Her head went back and forth. “Could be. Unless you’re someone who does this all the time. Janey seemed to enjoy it this morning.”

“Who’s Janey?” he asked, frowning. He hoped to hell no one was saying shit about him in terms of women.

He’d always been good about keeping his nose clean here.

“The woman at the post office that waited on you,” she said.

He laughed. “I didn’t know that was her name. She’s always friendly like that.”

“I looked at her nametag,” she said.

He shrugged. “I just try to run in quickly. I would have sent someone else to do it, but had to sign for it. Too bad it was just junk mail.”

“Certified junk mail?” she asked. “Who does that?”

“You’d be surprised,” he said.

“I’ll get your order, Elias,” the hostess said, coming back to the stand. She’d been seating someone else.

“Let it sit for now,” he said. “I’ll get it on the way out. Table for two.”

He looked at Phoebe to see if she’d dispute it. “Sure,” she said.

The hostess seated them at a table and placed the menus down. “Melanie will be your server and over in a minute.”

“Thanks,” he said.

“Does everyone know you in town?” she asked.

“It seems it,” he said. “I don’t know all of them, but when it comes to food, there aren’t a lot of places to get takeout and I don’t cook all that much.”

“I don’t mind cooking when I have the time. I figured it’d be faster here than to go home and look for something to make.”

“I have that opinion a lot too,” he said. “Since I know your office is new to the area, where are you from?”

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