Why did I suggest Pizza Meet Ya?
Jack is used to fine dining. If we find an artichoke on a pizza, it will be as exciting as it gets here. Although the pizza is the best I’ve ever had. But maybe I’m biased.
“What do you recommend?” Jack asks, his eyebrows pulled together like he’s reading important financial statements rather than a pizza menu.
He looks gorgeous tonight. He’s caught a bit of the sun and some freckles have come out across his nose. His shirtsleeves are rolled up, in the way that people with money do when they want to look casual. His forearms are corded with muscle, and I have to stop myself from reaching for him and tracing the lines with my fingers. He looks so boyish. So carefree. So far away from the serious, intense man who sat next to me at the ballet all those weeks ago.
“It’s all good,” I say. “Best pizza in America.”
Jack laughs. “I live in New York.”
“So?”
“So obviously we have the best pizza.”
I shake my head, half horrified by his arrogance, half ready for him to taste the pizza at Pizza Meet Ya. “You’re about to have your mind blown.”
“That’s forafterthe pizza,” he says, his eyebrows pulsing up, a grin spreading across his face.
I swear I never knew it was possible to blush all over before I met Jack.
“Trust me. It starts with the pizza tonight,” I tell him.
“Challenge accepted,” he says. “You’ve raised my expectations now, so this place better be good.”
I order the four cheeses, because too much cheese isn’t a thing.
“I think I’m going to have the pepperoni,” Jack says. “That’s what I’d have in New York, so it seems only fair that I’ll compare like with like.”
I laugh as Akira, the waitress, approaches our table.
Her eyes go wide when she sees Jack. Panic in her expression, she turns to me. “I don’t do this very often. Just when I’m saving up for something,” she blurts.
Jack looks as confused as I feel.
“And it’s not like I’ve ever turned down a shift at the Club because of a shift here,” she splutters.
“Okay,” Jack says. “You don’t need to worry.”
“You won’t say anything?” Akira asks.
I shake my head, unsure of what I’m not supposed to be saying to whom.
“Of course not,” Jack says. “If it makes you feel any better, Byron doesn’t even know I’m here.”
Akira’s shoulders drop, and she sighs. “I love that job. I would hate to lose it. I just need a little extra money, and they are very strict about the shifts they offer us.”
Suddenly everything slots into place. “I didn’t realize you weren’t allowed to work other jobs if you were at the Club.” Iremember Akira starting at Pizza Meet Ya. She said she worked at the Club and would only be working the odd few days here. It never struck me as strange or in the slightest bit inappropriate.
“Oh, that’s not a rule. But the Club is so exclusive and… I don’t know of anyone else having a second job. I just don’t want to get into trouble.”
Jack mimes pulling a zipper across his mouth. “Your secret is safe with us.”
“But I know you’re friends with Mr. Miller,” she says to Jack. “I don’t want you to have to keep a secret from your friend. Or from Rosey. I started at the same time as Rosey. She’s lovely, and it’s bad enough thatIhave to keep secrets from her.”
“She doesn’t seem like the type to be concerned,” I say, not that I know Rosey. I’ve spoken to her a couple of times. Star Falls is a small town. If you live here, then everyone is going to bump into everyone.
“It’s fine,” Jack says. His tone is reassuring. Akira is overreacting, but Jack isn’t dismissive of her or taking what she’s saying as a joke. He’s being really empathetic. It’s kinda lovely. And kinda hot. “I have a terrible memory anyway. I’ll probably forget all about tonight by tomorrow morning.”
