Page 52 of The Liar in Room 5

Drew sat a little longer without speaking. It didn’t show on my face, but I was the tiniest bit worried it was too much for him, considering his previous relationships.

“Then I’ll try to be mindful,” he conceded. “But okay.”

“If you mean be mindful by not getting the five-thousand-dollar bottle of wine that you’ll say tastes like weird grape juice or something.” I laughed.

He could be mindful all he wanted, but foregoing a mocktail was too thrifty.

“It’s true.” Drew laughed in a thoroughly fake snooty tone.

“Now that that’s wrapped up, let’s figure out our pizza. What’s your favorite topping?”

“Please don’t hate me…mushrooms?”

“Oohhh, fungi for the win. What’s your second favorite?”

“Uhh…extra cheese.”

“We’re calling that a topping?”

“Yes,” Drew said with a wide smile. “We are going to do that.”

“Done.”

“Third?”

“Bacon.”

“A clear winner.”

“And that’s pretty much it.”

I paused long enough to glance down at the menu.

“There’s the Wild Mountain Mushroom with the garlic sauce…”

“More garlic?” Drew asked with a raised brow. I liked this teasing side of him.

“Yes, because I’m a lawyer, and I like to be a little sneaky.”

“Ooh, do tell,” Drew said as he propped his chin on his tented fingers.

With his elbows on the table and twinkling eyes, it felt new and exciting and somehow like we’d been together for approximately forever. I wanted more of this with him.

“If I keep giving you garlic, you won’t go around kissing other boys, and I’ll make asshole studio guy regret his plan for us to work all damn night. It’s a win-win.”

“Do you think I want to kiss other boys?”

“Nope, but I like to hedge my bets anyway.”

“So sneaky.”

“This might be the best pizza I’ve had in my entire life.”

Drew sounded rapturous as he ate his slice with his eyes closed and head tipped back. His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. The entire picture gave me dirty thoughts I couldn’t do a damn thing about, since I would be forced back to the office after dinner.

Fuck my life, and fuck that studio asshole too.

“Yeah, it’s my favorite,” I choked out.