“Only vending machine snacks at this hour, I’m afraid. We used to have an around-the-clock coffee shop, but cuts were made last winter. But the vending machine on the second floor has the best selection.”
“Good to know, thanks. I would say it has been a pleasure to meet you, but I wish we hadn’t.”
Dr. Rhodes laughs, holding a hand on his slightly round belly. “Back at you, kid. Please, don’t revisit us anytime soon.”
“I’ll try to avoid this place after I walk out.”
“That’s what I like to hear. I hope you have a speedy recovery and safe travels.”
“Thanks once again.”
As the door snaps shut, Tanya turns to me. “Do you have any favorite or least favorite snacks or allergies I should know about? I’ll try to find that vending machine Dr. Rhodes mentioned.”
“No allergies. I do love anything with peanut butter, though.”
“Peanut butter cups coming up.” She hums as she goes through her bag, looking for what I assume is money.
“Let me pay for it,” I say and try to reach for the back pocket of my jeans on another chair beside the bed. But it’s too far away for me.
Tanya notices my struggle. “I can get it if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, take what you need.”
Moving around the bed, she takes my wallet, and pulls out a twenty-dollar bill before leaving the room. When she returns in less than fifteen minutes, her arms are full.
“I could eat an elephant, so I got a little carried away. The selection was as good as we were told, too.”
“That always happens when I go shopping hungry. I once spent almost a hundred dollars on everything but the one thing I was in Trader Joe’s for.”
“It sounds like something that would happen to me if I wasn’t on a budget,” she says, handing me food. “Here you go, a protein bar and two peanut butter cups—the breakfast of champions. I’ll get us cups for orange juice.”
I watch after her to where the plastic cups are near the sink. There’s just something about this woman that keeps me enthralled. The feeling didn’t disappear during the night, either.
Turning to look behind her, Tanya notices me checking her out, but she doesn’t say a thing. The only sign that she caught me is her reddening cheeks.Glad I’m not the only one affected.
While eating our breakfast, we discuss our favorite foods, and Tanya suggests an icebreaker. “Let’s play athis or thatfood edition.”
“Sure, why not.”
“Let’s start with the most important one; burgers or pizza.”
“Burgers, no questions asked.”
Her mouth opens in a small O. “No way.”
“You disagree?”
Tanya shakes her head, then stops. “I agree one hundred percent. People think it’s weird that I choose burgers over pizza, so I was surprised to find someone who agrees.”
“I’ve heard the same thing many times before. I’m glad I’m not alone,” I tell her before continuing. “My turn next. Sweet or savory?”
“Both, savory first, then sweet.”
I let out a deep belly laugh. “You need to choose one.”
“No way if both are excellent choices.”
“Okay then. How about chocolate or candy?”
