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“I didn’t feel like hanging out in my house dodging glares, so I came here instead.” I took a sip and leaned back in my chair. Hopefully, they weren’t going to let my food get cold while they made Cody’s. I didn’t care if they wanted to hold it in the kitchen until his was ready, but I hoped they kept it hot. “Plus, I made soup and grilled cheese, and I wasn’t feeling it.”
“You know I only cook when I have to. I’m telling you, signing up for those meal boxes was the best thing I ever did.”
“That’s still cooking.”
Cody waggled a hand from side to side. “I mean, I guess technically. But I don’t have to think about it. I follow the directions and then bam, dinner. For like three nights because of leftovers.”
I wrinkled my nose. I didn’t love leftovers. Cody didn’t seem to care, and more power to him, but I wasn’t going to sign up for that. “I was kicking around the idea of a personal chef. They could do it in a way that I didn’t have the same meal for three days running though, right?”
“Probably.” Cody lifted a shoulder. “Ask when you shop around. Are you going to include Megan in that? Or is she on her own?”
“I’ll see if she wants in. I don’t mind covering it, but she gets snippy when I try to pay for things. I think she’s miffed that she wasn’t part of our experiment.” I shook my head. I’d thought about inviting her to buy in, but I hadn’t run it past the guys because I’d known she didn’t really have the extra cash lying around. Her job as a social worker paid worse than mine teaching school.
“Is she still planning to transition to the bookstore full time?”
“Last I heard.” I stared at Cody for a moment. “You keep asking about Megan. Is there something I should know?”
Cody’s cheeks flamed red.
“Ooh. You’ve got the hots for my sister.” I grinned and reached for my soda. “You should totally ask her out.”
“I thought guys weren’t supposed to be happy when their friend dated their sister.”
“Nah, man. That’s dumb. Why wouldn’t I want a great guy for my sister? Unless there’s something about you I don’t know.” I chuckled. Of the six of us, Cody was definitely the most likely to be an open book.
“Probably not.” His smile looked a little queasy. “You really wouldn’t mind?”
“Nope. I can’t speak for Megan, mind you. I don’t understand her. At all. In fact, if you do date her? Good luck.” I elaborated for several minutes, until the server arrived with our plates on a tray. We thanked her, and she walked off after telling us to let her know if we needed anything.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s better to leave well enough alone. Just be friends like you and Kayla.” Cody cut his burger into two pieces and picked one up to take a bite. “Since we’re putting it all on the table, would it be weird if I got my own place?”
I dunked a fry in the little metal cup of seasoned mayo that was the burger joint’s claim to fame. “It’s almost to the point that it’s getting weird if you and Noah keep living together in a two bedroom, honestly.”
Cody laughed and took a drink. “Right? It’s been long enough since we got the money, it’s finally starting to feel real. I don’t see myself quitting Ballentine—they do good work and I’m proud to be part of it—but I might talk to Mr. Ballentine about not taking a salary anymore. It seems dumb for me to take home money that comes from donors and the foundation when I don’t need it.”
I liked that idea. If the school system could take my paltry salary and actually do something good with it—something that would directly benefit the students—I’d do the same. But knowing how the bloated bureaucracy in our district worked, they’d absorb it into overhead and give the superintendent another big end-of-year bonus.
“Problem is,” Cody paused to take another big bite of his burger. “I don’t want to leave Old Town. You guys are all here and the commute into Arlington isn’t awful. So do I just get my own apartment in the same complex?”
“You could look at the condos where Tristan lives. Then you’d at least own your place instead of renting. But you wouldn’t have to deal with the upkeep like you do in a townhouse.” I wiped my fingers on a napkin and reached for my phone. “Let’s look and see what’s available. You know Tristan would love having you in his building.”
“Yeah. That’s not a bad idea. You think I could convince Noah to move, too?”
I laughed. “Probably. Just do everyone a favor and get your own place.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Cody shook his head. “We’re not tied at the hip, you know. It just worked out that way.”
“Sure. I get it. And before all the money, it made sense. The two of you do okay, especially for working at a nonprofit, but if Grandma hadn’t given Megan and me her townhouse, I probably would have been looking for a roommate myself.” I navigated to the website for Tristan’s waterfront condo community and tapped on the listings. “Ooh. The rooftop condo is open.”
“No way.” Cody gestured for my phone. I turned it around and slid it across the table. “Oh, man. That’s nice. Do you think Tristan would care?”
“Ask him.” I didn’t think he would, but it was always better to ask. “Does Noah know you’re considering this?”
Cody nodded. “Our lease is up for renewal at the end of February. We’ve both been talking about it. Is there another unit open?”
I focused on my food while Cody browsed the website on my phone. I’d made it through half of the burger when he pushed the phone back toward me.
“I’ll show Noah when I get back home, then ask Tristan. Maybe I’ll put it in the group chat and get everyone’s opinion.”
