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I roll my eyes, sticking my tongue out at them both. I walk over to the back of the kitchen, checking on Bella.

“Dishes are all done,” she tells me. “Since it’s been so slow I got them done early. Except what’s being used, obviously. Do you have anything else you want me to do?”

I shake my head. “I can’t think of anything. You can get off the clock as well. I want you all getting home safely in this snow.” I look out the back window. The snow is kinda pretty but I still feel a little baffled. “I rode my bike here today. I didn’t even know it was supposed to snow.”

Bella stares at me for a moment. “Really? They’ve been talking about this snow storm on the radio for like a week, Pete.”

I shrug. “I guess I wasn’t paying attention. I’m so glad Rodney came or I’d be walking through the snow back home.”

“Like he’d let you walk home. That man is always around to take care of you.”

I feel my cheeks flame at her words. They’re innocent enough but they strike a chord inside me. She’s right. Rodney isalwaysthere, making sure I’m taken care of. Whenever I need a hand in the shop, he doesn’t even volunteer, justdoesit without me even having to ask. He’s been by my side for years and I can’t imagine what life would be like without him.

Maybe I don’t have to.

“You’re right,” I say with a smile, “I’m one lucky man.”

Marigold, Roe, and Bella all clock out and grab their things. “Good night,” Roe calls out, waving at us.

“Have a good night and make sure you drive safe,” Rodney says, finishing up the pizza he’s working on and handing it over to Benjamin to slide into the oven.

“I’ll see you three on Monday!”

They head out the back door to their cars. I really hope they’re safe. I didn’t realize the snow was getting so bad and once again, I’m struck with how thankful I am for Rodney.

“Here you go, boss man,” Benjamin murmurs, handing over a plate of cheesy bread with a little cup of warmed up pizza sauce for dipping. I sit down on the stool that’s in the corner of the kitchen, away from everything yet close enough to keep talking to Benjamin and Rodney.

“When are you gonna ask your neighbor out on a date?” Rodney asks Benjamin.

Benjamin groans before asking, “when areyougonna bring me another plate of those turtle brownies? I’ve been dreaming about them, man.”

“Maybe I’ll bring them as a reward for finally asking them out.”

They’re at a bit of a stalemate with this argument. I smile as I eat my cheesy bread, my insides feeling warm and gooey. I love my shop, I love my workers, and most importantly, and the thing I do my best not to think about but can’t deny, I loveRodney.

Since the last pizza of the night is in the oven, Rodney begins to clean out the pizza tables, label all the food, and puts the food away in the walk-in cooler. He knows his way around the shop, he knows exactly where everything goes and how it should be done. He fits into my life with such ease it makes me lightheaded.

Once I’m done eating, I grab the last two tickets from the line and put them into the front of my apron. After washing my hands, I cash out my last table and start cleaning the dining room. Benjamin and Rodney make quick work of cleaning the kitchen and getting everything ready to close down early.

It doesn’t take long until everything is done. All that’s left is waiting for our final order to come pick up their food.

“Benjamin, you should head home too.”

He looks out the window with a wince. “Are you sure? Maybe I should be the one to close up tonight since I just have to walk across the street.”

“Absolutely not. You know the rules. At least two people here for closing and we live at the same place. It makes sense for you to go.”

“If you’re sure,” he says slowly. Rodney and I both nod. “Alright.” Benjamin clocks out and gets his stuff. He throws on some snow boots, a jacket, hats and gloves. Apparently I really was the only one who didn’t know about the snow.

I go through my checklist in my head. The dining room is clean, the dishes are done, the ovens are clean, the pizza line is all pulled apart. the sinks are drained and cleaned out. I think we’re all good to go once this final order is picked up.

Rodney flips the radio to a different station and I can’t help but chuckle. He’s always hated the pop music that Benjamin prefers to listen to.

“There we go,” he murmurs, humming to the song. “Much better.”

“Did you know there was a snowstorm tonight?”

“Obviously. As soon as it started coming down, I drove over because I justknewyou’d forgotten and rode your bike here,” he says, chastising me, yet his mouth is curled up into a soft smile.