Right now he needed this. She could give him this.

That is so sweet. It's the perfect depiction of Marie's need to belong somewhere, to give back to someone. But you don't bludgeon the reader with it, just set it out there in your understated style and trust that your audience will keep up. Nice setup for the confrontation with her weasel boss, too.

Author's Response: Well, no need to insult your intelligence when I know I have readers who pick up that kind of stuff and appreciate it :). Marie is definitely a 'giver' and I think a big part of her self esteem issues are that she doesn't feel she has anything worthwhile to offer anyone. Poor girl.