Chapter 7 #2
My aunt nodded her approval, as if I’d passed a pop quiz. “Do you want a ride home tonight?”
I shook my head. “I’ll phone a friend or order a ride on my app.”
Ronni narrowed her eyes. “I really wish you’d let me help.”
I climbed out of the golf cart and smiled at her. “You’ve done enough. Don’t worry about me. I’m a survivor.”
Ronni sighed and backed out of the parking space. “It’s time you become a thriver,” she said.
If only it were as easy as she made it sound.
“About your transportation?” Ronni pressed.
Sighing heavily, I prepared to say the hard part out loud. “I’ll have to sell Sadie for scrap metal and use that money as a down payment for something affordable.”
Ronni didn’t like it, but she relented with a nod before driving off toward the admin building.
The next two activities went much smoother than the first, though the residents in both groups were full of questions about the morning’s incident, proving how quickly news traveled on campus.
Luckily, the wheelchair volleyball attendees were more excited about their session than peppering me with questions about my misfortune, and the advanced yoga attendees were too excited about the drama to notice they were far more advanced in their skills than their instructor.
I’d need to double down on my training in my free time and find free courses on YouTube.
My stomach growled like a caged beast when I parked my borrowed golf cart outside the employee cafeteria’s double doors.
Silver Maple employed the best chefs for the residents, and the perks spilled over to the employees.
Our lunch options weren’t as grand as those offered in the main dining room, but the quality was second to none.
Tilting my head back slightly, I sniffed the air and tried to guess the lunchtime lineup.
Definitely something fried, but that could be meat or vegetables.
I caught a hint of something smoky like paprika, but that clarified nothing for me.
Chef Sofia showed the same passion for seasoning the batter for her green tomatoes, zucchini, and okra as she did for her fried chicken.
No plain-Jane salt and pepper for her food.
Even those with dietary restrictions received food prepared with the utmost care and flavor.
Sofia was pure magic, and I closed my eyes in anticipation.
“Kit! Look out!” Archer called.
I opened my eyes in time to avoid crashing headfirst into a signpost designating the parking space for employees only. Damn, how had I veered so far off the sidewalk in such a short amount of time? I turned to thank my savior with a smile.
“Dude,” Archer said, sounding winded. Had he run to save me? “That was close.”
Bobby, one of the massage therapists on staff, approached at a slower pace.
A scowl marred his handsome face, and he dragged his gaze over my body in an unfriendly manner.
So strange. Bobby had been so nice to me since I started working at Silver Maple.
“You should really pay closer attention to where you’re walking.
It was like you were in a trance or something.
” His tone of voice was as sour as his expression, so I hadn’t misread Bobby.
He was pissed at me for some unknown reason.
Archer placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Hey, you’ve had a rough day. I’m worried about you.” In contrast, Archer’s voice was gentle and kind.
Bobby’s gaze grew chilly as he watched my interaction with Archer. “Maybe you should go home and try again tomorrow.”
Offering my most reassuring smile, I eased back a step so Archer would drop his arm. “I just need food, and everything will be fine. I promise.”
Archer’s brow rose, but he didn’t argue. “Do you want to join us for lunch?”
One look at Bobby’s arctic expression had me shaking my head. “I appreciate it, but I’m going to find a quiet spot somewhere. You guys enjoy lunch.”
“Oh, we will,” Bobby purred. “And afterward, I’m taking Archer on a very private tour of the grounds and buildings.”
Ahh. I better understood Bobby’s anger. He wanted Archer all to himself and saw me as a threat. Nope. Not me, and I’d make sure he knew it. I could not afford, nor did I want, any more drama at work. “See you around, fellas.”
I felt their stares as I walked away, and things only got worse when I entered the cafeteria, where at least a dozen people observed my every move.
Was this how it felt to be famous? Fuck that.
I kept my eyes straight ahead and placed one foot in front of the other until I arrived at the food counter.
The delicious aroma that had flirted with my senses and nearly caused head trauma came from a mound of golden-brown fried chicken.
My stomach growled with a need that bordered on lust, and I think a soft moan escaped my lips.
Carl, a tall Jamaican American, greeted me with a toothy smile. “That’s some day you’re having, huh?”
“The worst,” I admitted. “But I think you’re about to make it better.”
The smile got wider, and the gleam in Carl’s amber eyes turned wicked. “My wife tells me this all the time.”
“I bet,” I replied. “I’m going to get my lunch to go today. Can I have a few drumsticks with a serving of potato salad and a piece of cornbread?”
“Coming right up.”
Carl packed my order into carryout containers and placed them in a paper bag. I met him at the end of the line, where he placed a packet of freshly baked cookies into the bag. “My treat to turn your day around.”
“I appreciate it,” I told him as I punched my employee number into the keypad to deduct the cost of my lunch from my paycheck. “Thank you, Carl.”
“Chin up, kid,” he called out as I walked away.
Following his advice, I noticed how much the small gesture boosted my mood.
The pond wasn’t far, so I opted to walk instead of motoring there on the golf cart.
The midday sun blazed hot above, but a strong breeze made the brief trip almost pleasant.
My favorite bench sat under a massive oak tree, so I could enjoy my lunch in peace as long as Matilda and Marty, the resident mallards, behaved.
I spotted the happy couple in the middle of the pond, ducking their heads underwater and splashing about as if they didn’t have a care in the world. What must that be like?
I was so focused on the lovebirds that I didn’t realize someone had already claimed my favorite spot until it was too late to back away without making things more awkward than they already were.
Intense blue eyes locked on me, and I froze in place just like a little rabbit before a hungry wolf pounced.
Ray didn’t growl or gnash his teeth, but he didn’t look pleased to see me.
“I wasn’t looking for you,” I blurted.
“Okay.”
“This is just my favorite lunch spot.” I held up my bag as evidence. “And this is my lunch.”
Ray’s mouth quirked up on one side. “It’s a beautiful spot.” He sniffed the air and narrowed his eyes. “Do I smell fried chicken?”
“Yes,” I replied. “It’s amazing, but someone who looks like you probably doesn’t eat fried chicken.
Or fried anything.” Oh god. My mouth was on a mission to ruin my life.
I flexed my biceps to show my meaning. “Because you’re strong.
Bet you need a lot of protein to fuel that body. ” Oh god. Just shut up, idiot.
Ray’s mouth curved into a wry smirk. “I eat a lot of protein, and sometimes I like it double battered and fried to a golden crisp.” He held up half of a wrap and said, “Today, it’s a boring turkey club.”
“I’d be willing to share my chicken with you,” I said. “And I have other goodies too.”
Ray looked between his lunch and mine, then patted the bench in invitation.
I didn’t skip to him, but my feet barely touched the ground.