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Ten minutes later, I’m walking back into the kitchen, pulling a T-shirt on as I enter the room. “Let’s eat,” I announce, making Alyssa laugh.
“You could have taken the time to get dressed.” She points to where I’m pulling the T-shirt down.
“Shorts and a T-shirt is dressed.” I give her a cheeky smile, and she playfully rolls her eyes.
“The table is set. I assumed you wanted a beer, but I can get you something else.”
“This is perfect. Thanks, Tink. You are truly a life saver tonight. I would have ended up with a frozen pizza because I was in a hurry to just be home and no way do I feel like going back out.”
“It’s all good,” she says, taking the seat across from me at the kitchen table. “Did you get the project finished?”
“Yes. Thankfully. I feel better about taking off three days next week now that it’s done.”
“Three days?”
I nod, swallowing my food before replying, “I decided to take my own advice. I have the time, and I need to mow our yards before we leave. They’ll be a mess when we get back if not.”
“I keep telling you I can pay to have that done until I get a new mower.”
“And I keep telling you there is no need for you to pay someone when I can do it. That’s what friends are for, Alyssa. Like this.” I point to the plate of food in front of me. “You take care of me, and I take care of you. That’s our thing.”
She smiles softly, her brown eyes sparkling. “Well, I appreciate you.”
“How about you? How was the rest of your week?” I ask, shoveling a meatball into my mouth.
“Same old. I think once we’re back from our trip, I’m going to get serious about looking for something else. A job isn’t just going to fall into my lap, and I can’t handle working for her for the rest of my life.”
“Are you looking to stay in the same field?”
“Yeah, I mean, I guess so. It’s all I know, other than fast food in high school.” She shrugs. “I enjoy what I do, just not who I do it for. Well, that’s not true either. The physicians are all really nice, but Tamara is just so moody. I know that not all jobs are sunshine and roses, but she’s so hateful all the time, and I’m tired of walking around the office on eggshells. I mean, I’ve been there for years. I shouldn’t have to stress to the point of not being able to eat because I’m asking for time off.”
“I agree with you. I’ll keep an eye out too.”
“Thanks, Tank.”
“Tank, it’s been a minute since you’ve brought that one out,” I tease. She started calling me Tank when I nicknamed her Tink. Ironically both names fit. Alyssa is a tiny thing and standing next to me, the names Tink and Tank just fit us.
“I gotta keep you on your toes,” she tells me.
“Good thinking, Tink.” I wink at her, and she again rolls her eyes playfully. I’ve just shoved my last bite into my mouth when my phone rings. Digging it out of my pocket, I see Archer’s name. I chew faster. That last bite was huge. Alyssa laughs and takes my phone. She smiles and shakes her head as she answers, hitting the button for the speaker so that I can hear the conversation.
“Hey, Archer,” she greets my brother.
“Alyssa, did I call you?” he asks her, laughing.
“No. Sterling’s mouth was full, so I answered for him.”
“Was it now?” He snorts.
“He’s eating.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“Dinner, asswipe,” I say, finally swallowing my food. “Tink made spaghetti for dinner.”
“Nice. Where was my invite, Lys?” he asks.
“Not my house,” she quips.
