“Thanks,” I murmured.
The second the door shut behind him, I raced to the bathroom, relieved to see that my hair wasn’t as crazy as it could be. I didn’t have anything in my teeth, another win.
I was reemerging after walking through what I hoped was a very subtle spritz of my vanilla-coconut perfume when he returned with the pizza.
“It smells like cookies in here,” he remarked.
“Oh?” I replied, trying my best to look confused. “It might be one of my candles. Let me grab some plates.”
“This is a nice place,” he commented, following me into the kitchen.
“Thanks. It’s nothing fancy and not a typical situation, but it works perfectly for me and the beasts.”
“How long have you been here?”
“About two years. I got my teaching credential back home in Iowa and moved out here to be close to my brother.”
“So you’re what… twenty-four?”
“Yep.” I nodded.
“So young,” he muttered.
His comment rubbed me the wrong way, and I stiffened. “Yeah well, it certainly doesn’t feel that way. And you’re ancient at what, thirty?”
“Thirty-one,” he confirmed, clearly surprised by my clipped tone. His large hand reached out, clasping my shoulder briefly. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I realize I can come across kind of gruff. Sam gives me shit for it all the time.”
I softened some at his admission. “Maybe it’s just your version of missing a filter. And plus, I know about your soft insides,” I teased. “Now, how many slices do you want, two to start?”
He studied me for a moment, and I wished like hell I could read his mind. “Sounds good.”
We sat on the couch, and I immediately started to pick off my pepperoni, glancing at Able. “Off,” I commanded him—or attempted to command him.
He stared at me dumbly.
“Off,” Travis reiterated in a much more commanding voice.
Able immediately hopped off the couch and trotted over to his bed in the corner.
“How did you do that?” I demanded. “He never listens to me! Honestly, I’m kind of insulted,” I huffed, shooting a glare at my dog.
Travis shrugged, and I couldn’t help but notice he was good-looking even when he chewed. “It’s the tone. You have to command him with more authority. Use a deeper voice.”
“Like this?” I asked, making my voice so deep it nearly hurt.
Travis let out a shocked chortle, nearly spitting out his pizza.
I laughed along with him, enjoying his company and feeling like I could be myself. It had been a long time since I’d felt like that with a man. Especially a man as swoon-worthy as Travis.
“Why did you order pepperoni if you don’t like it?” he asked, his gaze on the little pile of meat I’d set up next to my slice.
I winced, realizing how weird it must seem. I hadn’t even thought about it, I’d been so comfortable. “I like to eat it separately,” I explained, my cheeks heating. “I know it’s weird.”
He offered a casual shrug. “It’s not weird. I like pineapple on mine, and most people think that’s sacrilege.”
I offered a shy smile, grateful to him for making me feel comfortable.
“So, your brother lives in LA?” he asked conversationally.
