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I huffed and stomped past him out the door.
As soon as I stepped into the pizzeria next door, the aroma of delicious New York pizza filled my nostrils, causing me to salivate on the spot.
“I forgot how much I missed pizza,” I murmured.
“Why did you have to miss it?” T.J. asked. He stood beside me in front of the glass counter, surveying the different pies on display.
“I was in California for the past month and a half. Nobody else does pizza like we do.”
“What can I get ya?” the man in a white apron asked.
“Two plain slices. Well done, please.”
“The usual for me,” T.J. responded. “And one of those with everything on it.”
“You got it, boss.”
I followed T.J. to a booth at the far end of the restaurant. It was fairly crowded, and he seemed to know everyone there. I watched the two high school girls working behind the counter giggle to each other after T.J. waved to them.
“So, why did you go to California?” He leaned his elbows onto the table while we awaited the arrival of our food.
“My boyfriend is a singer. Tanner’s brother, Chase. He’s getting a record deal.”
He stared at me blankly. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
“You asked me why I went to California. I said I went because my boyfriend had to go there.” I returned the blank stare. “How does that not answer your question?”
“I asked why you went. You told me why your boyfriend went.”
“I went because he went.” I crossed my arms. “He said he wouldn’t go unless I went with him.”
“Well that doesn’t sound very fair. I’m surprised you even went.”
My eyebrows pressed together. “What are you talking about?”
“He pressured you to make the choice that would be in his favor. It’s like an ultimatum.”
I laughed once. “No. You don’t know him. It was nothing like that.”
“Okay. If he’s so wonderful, why did you come back?”
One of the giggly school girls brought out T.J.’s tray of food, followed by her giggly friend who was carrying mine. “Let me know if there’s anything else you need,” she cooed.
“Everything looks great here. Thanks.” Completely oblivious, he took a giant bite out of his grilled chicken sandwich while the girls scampered off, whispering to each other the entire way back.
“You’re a real ladies’ man.”
“Those aren’t ladies. Those are kids.” He held up his sandwich. “Want to try a bite?”
“No, thanks. I’m all about my pizza right now.” I shoved the end of the slice into my mouth, and closed my eyes to savor the moment.
“When you’re done chewing, you can tell me why you left California.”
I frowned. “You’re ruining my pizza.”
“The sooner you stop trying to avoid this conversation, the sooner it will be over.”
I put my pizza down, and stared at him while I finished chewing. He grinned his boyish grin, patiently waiting, with part of his sandwich balled up in his cheek.
