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Hayden: The stripper. He’ll come out of a casket instead of a cake though

Me: wow, inappropriate.

Hayden: Darlene’s “funeral” messed me up

Me: wait, when do strippers come out of a cake?

Hayden: I swear that’s a thing

Me: go to strip clubs often?

The front door to the funeral home opens, and a delivery driver peeks his head inside. “Is there a Robin here?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” I get up and meet him halfway. He hands me a massive brown paper bag, and I thank him before he hurries out the door. I guess he’s in a rush.

The bag is warm, and I smell the savory food before I even open the bag. I set it down on my desk and peer inside. There are five massive takeout containers. I take them out and open each one of them on my desk and laugh. Hayden sent enough food for a whole family. I snap a photo of it and send it to him.

Me: first, thank you. second, who all is this for?

Hayden: It’s for my girlfriend, but you can have some too.

Me: you’re funny today…

Hayden: I try. Gotta impress my girlfriend

Me: she told me she’s not impressed. she also said it’s too much food.

Hayden: Is it?

Me: you thought I would eat two burritos, twelve tacos, a side of chips, a side of rice and beans, and a salad bowl all by myself?

Hayden: I wanted to give you options. Share it with the other people there

Hayden: Oops, never mind. The others at your job are all dead

Me: there are other employees here besides me lol.

Hayden: Problem solved

“Are we having a party?”

I startle when I hear Tom’s voice behind me. “Sorry, you scared me. No, um, someone sent me food. Do you want some? I can’t eat it all.”

“Someone?” Tom gives me a knowing smile.

“Hayden.”

Tom hums. “Well, I’ll take you up on the offer. Let’s eat in the staff room. I’ve been meaning to talk to you anyway. We’ll lock the front door, and people can ring the doorbell if they need to come in.”

“Okay, sure.”

What the hell does he want to talk to me about?

Five minutes later, we’re silently eating in the staff room. Even with Tom’s help, there’s no way we’re going to eat all this food. I’ll probably go home with most of it. Hayden’s tendency to order the entire menu for me has really done wonders for my taste buds. I’ve been trying so many new things that I would’ve never ordered myself. But if it’s right in front of me, I’ll eat it.

“How come you haven’t quit yet?” Tom’s tone is casual as he looks at me through his round glasses.

“What?” My stomach drops.