Page 14 of Bound Hearts

His eyes sweep over me, casting me in appraisal. “Good, then you won’t mind that I might need to show you why it’s a bad idea.”

I won’t mind one bit.

5

FOSTER

The tiny pizza restaurant is buzzing, as it’s packed with people grabbing a bite after work. There are some tables, high-tops with stools along the window, and a counter to sit at to oversee the kitchen. After ordering at the register, we managed to grab two spots overlooking the sidewalk, with the traffic lights at the corner, watching people huddle in their coats because it’s a nippy cold outside.

“I knew this was coming.” I laugh as we wait for our order.

Sutton has a gorgeous smile after she laughs. “What?”

“Oh, you know full well.” She shrugs her shoulders and plays it cool. “I let you pick the deep-dish pizza, and you choose pear, gorgonzola, and walnut. It almost feels like an insult to the creator of Chicago pizza. It’s too refined. Should have gone old-style, or you could live on the edge and do Buffalo Chicken.”

“Sorry, Mr. Boring. I thought a sophisticated pizza might fit well with the occasion.”

“Which would be?”

“Not quite in the office, not quite in private.”

I give her a knowing look. “You wanted to order in.”

“But then I realized deep dish is best direct from the pan, and I’m not messing around with breaking that tradition,” she justifies with humor.

I can’t stop grinning. Sutton is a breeze. Unexpected. I never know what she’ll say or do, but it always makes me smile. She isn’t quirky, just unafraid to be herself. She may have a mental checklist for her career, but she’s easygoing—stress-free in life. I need people like that. The office isn’t always a walk in the park, and the family ultimatum has been weighing on me more than I’d like.

“I couldn’t agree more. I’ve eaten here a lot.”

“Really? Don’t have a cook at home waiting for you?” she teases me.

“Nah, only a housekeeper who stops by during the week. I would much rather explore what the city has to offer. Chicago is a food city. I travel a lot and have obscenely long days at the office, so life is easier to grab a bite somewhere or order in.”

She nods in understanding. “I can see that. I’m the same way during audits.”

“You don’t seem to be someone who gets stressed out,” I note.

“I’m lucky that way. Nothing causes you stress if you decide to control it. If we’re analyzing each other, I’m sure you’re the same. Things might piss you off, but I doubt you'll let them affect you as many would.”

My eyes widen at her observation. “That’s a fair point,” I say. She’s right. “But from what I’ve seen, you’re always composed in the office. Me? I’ve been fiery a time or two.”

“Or maybe four or five,” she corrects me with a smirk.

“Only a few weeks in and you’ve heard rumors about me?”

“Would it matter? You don’t care about those things.”

“I walked into that one, didn’t I?”

We both create space when a member of the kitchen staff arrives with our giant pizza in a skillet and a pizza knife. “Here’s your order,” she announces and sets the pizza down, and she doesn’t even look at us as she is too busy looking over her shoulder at the kitchen. It’s the kind of place where the food is so good that they can get away with prickly manners. She zooms away, and Sutton and I drop our sight to the food that is sizzling hot.

Her eyes blaze open as she studies what’s in front of her. “This is going to take some divide and conquering.”

“Yeah, normally I end up taking the leftovers home. Then they sit in the fridge too long because I always forget they’re there. My housekeeper hates me for that.”

“Unattended doggy bags are a crime, ya know.” She tries to cut, but the melty cheese stretches out. I grab a small plate, but the cheese gets everywhere.

“Screw it,” I say. “Should we just attack the pizza with a fork and knife while it’s in the dish?” I suggest.