“I’m always hungry.”His eyes glint with mischief as he tries to grab the box again.“You should learn to share.”
“I should learn to—?”I stumble backward, trying to keep the pizza away from him, but he’s faster.His hands close over the box, and suddenly we’re in a ridiculous tug-of-war over pepperoni pizza.
“Let go,” I demand, pulling harder.
“You let go.”He tugs back, and I can see him fighting a smile.
“I paid for this!”
“I brought the wine.”
“That was an apology, not a trade agreement!”
One final yank, and he wins.The box flies open, and he triumphantly grabs a slice before I can stop him.
“Get out,” I snap, pointing toward my door.“Right now.”
He takes a massive bite and grins at me, sauce on his chin.“Can’t.”
“Why not?”
“My car broke down.”
I stare at him, incredulous.“Your car actually broke down.”
“Yep.”He takes another bite.“Dead as a doornail.”
I grab my phone from the coffee table.“Fine.I’m calling you a cab.”
“With what money?”He raises an eyebrow.“My wallet’s in the car.Keys, too.”
My finger hovers over the Uber app.“Then call your brothers.Call your sister.Someone can come get you.”
“It’s late, Eve.They’re probably busy.”
“I don’t care if they’re in the middle of performing heart surgery.You’re not staying here.”I try to sound stern, but my heart is hammering against my ribs.I need him gone before I do something stupid.
He leans against my kitchen counter, looking completely at home in my space.“Why?Afraid you can’t control yourself around me?”
Heat flashes through me, part anger, part something I refuse to acknowledge.“You’re the one with zero self-control.”
“You didn’t exactly seem to mind it last night.”His voice drops to that low, rough tone that makes my stomach clench.
“Get over yourself.”The words feel hollow, even to me.My chest does something funny as I say them, like my heart is trying to climb into my throat.
His eyes hold mine as his mouth quirks knowingly.“Look, we should celebrate.We’ve got wine, food, and...”He gestures at the TV with his pizza slice.“Entertainment.”
I shake my head, backing toward the couch.“I’m planning to watch a movie and eat pizza, and you’re not invited.”
“But I brought the wine,” he says, following me.“And I like movies.And pizza.”
“We’re not friends, Caleb.”Before I can react, he’s beside me, his hands on my waist, pulling me down onto the couch.I land beside him with a soft thud, the proximity making my skin burn.
“Then let’s pretend,” he says with that determined gleam in his eyes.I don’t get the chance to protest because he shoves a piece of pizza in my mouth.“Besides, it’s not like you have the most raging social life.You should just enjoy the company, even if you hate me.”
I chew angrily, glaring at him while sauce threatens to drip down my chin.He grabs the remote and starts scrolling, completely ignoring my murderous expression.“Perfect,” he says, stopping on a cooking competition I’ve been following religiously.“I love this show.”
I swallow the pizza with difficulty.“Since when do you watch cooking shows?”
