Page 50 of Between the Lines

“You don’t know that it’s Ollie.” Although Robbie was probably right. She hoped he was.

She opened the door to find Ollie standing there with Milo, leash looped loose in his hand, the dog’s tail wagging like he knew exactly where he was. She smiled. “My two favorite men.”

“Hey,” Robbie called out from the couch. “I’m literally right there. Not to mention, I brought subs home and everything.”

She rolled her eyes before revising her statement. “Two of my favorite men.”

Ollie laughed. “Hey, Robbie.”

Robbie gave a wave, his mouth now full.

Ollie looked at Maude. “I was walking Milo and thought I’d check in, but you look busy.”

“We’re not that busy. You’re welcome to come in.”

Milo didn’t wait for permission. He padded inside like he belonged there.

Robbie snorted as he reached for a chip. “You always did have terrible timing,” he said. “Some things never change.”

Ollie smiled. “You say that like you didn’t invite me to stay anyway.”

“Grab a plate,” Robbie said. “Maude never eats her whole sub anyway.”

Ollie shook his head. “I don’t want to take your dinner.

“You wouldn’t be. He’s right, I never do finish it. If you’re good with Italian, you can have the other half of mine.”

“You’re sure?” He stepped inside, setting the leash down on the little table by the door.

“I’m sure.” She was glad to see him. “Besides, Milo has already made himself at home.” He had, too. He was laying on the couch next to Robbie.

Ollie leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She looked at her brother. “Come on, Robbie. Let’s sit at the table like adults.” She got another plate and soda out, grabbed a spoon for the potato salad, along with the bag of chips, and set it all up while the men moved to their seats.

They settled around the table with an ease that came from years of shared history. Milo stayed on the couch, letting out a big sigh that made her smile.

Maude took a bite of her sub and thought, not for the first time, that this ordinary moment was exactly what she needed tonight. She loved living alone, but that was because she’d made peace with it.

Having people around was really nice sometimes, there was no doubt about it. Especially when those people were the guys she cared about.

They ate quietly for a few minutes, mostly because everyone’s mouth was full and they were enjoying the food. Robbie leaned back in his chair between bites, clearly pleased with both the sub and the company.

He nodded at Ollie. “How do you like living in a tiny house? I’d have thought you were more of the penthouse kind of guy now that you’re a doctor.”

“Nah, I like being near the beach. And the community is good,” Ollie said. He glanced at Maude. “Having great neighbors doesn’t hurt either.”

Robbie shook his head but chuckled all the same.

“The only issue,” Ollie said, wiping his hands on a napkin. “Is that I’m realizing I need more storage at my place. Not closets, those are fine. It’s for everything else.”

“Like what?” Maude asked.

“I have a lot of books. And medical journals,” Ollie said. “Those take up space and I’m not ready to give them up for the digital versions. I like paper. I guess that makes me old-fashioned.”

Robbie nodded immediately. “You need shelves,” he said. “I can take a look and see what would work in the space you have. If you want. Might be an easy fix.”

Maude shot him a look. “You’re volunteering pretty fast for someone who has an arts and crafts fair coming up.”