Every possible experience.
Especially if he’s the one delivering them.
Almost.
But then another bolt of lightning flashes behind me, casting sharp shadows across his face.
My gut twists.
Something tells me his idea ofnew experiencesis way more intense than mine.
Still, I ignore every internal alarm and step forward anyway. Like a damn idiot.
I set my wet bag on the counter.
“Surprise me.”
The words escape before I can second guess them. And oh boy, do they sound bold and way braver than I actually feel.
He tilts his head, studying me like he could peel me open with just a look. Like if he stared long enough, all my secrets would spill out and stain the floor.
“Surprise non-garlic pizza for Daisy, coming right up.”
He grabs a flattened piece of dough already prepped on the counter—like heknewI’d be back.
But that’s ridiculous… right?
A silly part of me is disappointed I won’t get to watch him knead it by hand again, forearms flexing, tattoos shifting with each roll.
I shove that thought aside.
Stop being so needy, Kal.
He pulls out several different sized containers, opening them one by one. With a flourish of his fingers, he begins sprinklingand peppering my pizza with different toppings. Some I recognize like mushrooms, but others I’m not quite sure.
If it’s as good as last night, I’m totally not complaining.
“So tell me, little Daisy,” he says casually, “what kind of work keeps you wandering the streets this late?”
He pauses dramatically to unbutton his jacket—slow, deliberate, one button at a time—then folds it and places it neatly on the counter, just like last night. His dark gaze never leaves mine, and there's a teasing glint in it that makes me feel like heknows. Like he’s playing into the exact fantasy I tried not to have.
Not complaining.
I figure there’s no harm in giving him a vague answer.
“I work in customer service,” I say. “In hospitality.”
There. Answered his question without being too specific. I’m not sure I could handle him showing up at one of my jobs in broad daylight.
Although…It would make my days more interesting. Like the stud muffin today.
“Ah. So we’re not so different.”
He smirks. “I work in service too. Though my skill set leans... elsewhere.”
There’s something weighted in the way he says it, like it means more than it should.
But what the hell doesthateven mean?
