Page 27 of Xander

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Xander,

What you did last night for me. Thank you. My dad is the only one who carried me to sleep when I was younger. I’d like to return the favor of doing something nice. So let me know what your favorite dessert is. I’ll make it.

Nola.

P.S. Here is my number.

I fingered the light, feminine script, and before I knew what I was doing, I had my phone out, her number typed in, and my favorite dessert typed out, then I hit send.

It didn’t register until my phone pinged that I had done that.

Me – Red Velvet Brownies.

Unknown – You got it.

I changed it to Nola in my phone.

Me – You don’t have to.

Nola – You didn’t have to either.

I shook my head and pocketed my phone, then I climbed on my bike and drove to the main office of Laken Construction.

The owner, Clay Laken, had tried to make me a foreman, and he still tried, but I had shaken my head all of the fifty times he had tried.

I got my paperwork and blueprints from Piper, the office manager, and then I got to work.

***

That night, after I got back to the clubhouse, I walked inside, in desperate need of a hot shower.

Agatha called out, “Xander!”

I looked at her and lifted my chin.

She pointed at something sitting on the bar.

I headed over there and saw a red tinfoil container. I eyed it, then looked at her.

She smirked, “A certain female stopped by here and dropped these off for you.”

I tagged the container, opened it, and eyed what was inside.

Then I felt a smile tug at my lips.

Then I lifted one out and took a big bite.

Fucking perfect.

Red Velvet Brownies.

I took another bite and then demolished the first one.

Then I demolished the rest of the container.

Agatha looked at me, then at the empty container, and asked, “Were you that hungry?”

I shook my head.

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