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“Do you want some red pepper flakes?”
“Sure.”
“What about ricotta cheese?”
“Sure.”
“Jax…” Mary sighed, smiling. “You are entitled to have opinions on things. If you don’t want something or would prefer not to have it, just say so.”
“You know,” Jax began, mangling the pizza in a disturbing manner as her slice completely fell apart, causing him to grimace. “That can be mine, if you want.”
“Nah, it’s fine – and you were right. It will be a mess in my stomach despite how it looks on the plate. What were you going to say a second ago?”
“Oh,” Jax hesitated, cutting another piece of the pizza. “I was going to say, you know that it doesn’t matter if I do or don’t do something, because each thing is an experience on its own. It doesn’t affect the pizza, just modifies it, changes it, and nothing is wrong with any of that.”
“So, if I put pineapple or olives on there…”
“Then I try it with pineapple or olives,” he shrugged, smiling at her.
“What if you don’t like it?”
“Then I don’t,” he shrugged again. “Still means that I’m sitting here, having an edible meal with my friend, getting to know her better.”
“What if I put pineapple on there this time – and you didn’t like it,” she began, and saw him open his mouth to answer, quickly cutting him off. “And then put pineapple on itagainwhen we came back,knowingthat you didn’t like it last time. What would you say then?”
Jax hesitated, setting the pizza wheel and spatula down, looking at her.
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
“I would still be happy, because that would mean we were on a second date… and you felt free enough to relax, push the boundaries, and be yourself with me. It would truly be heaven, Mary, because you would be interested enough to spend more time together,” he said softly, not looking away from her.
She stared at him in amazement.
That really wasn’t the answer she was expecting in the slightest – nor was it something she would deliberately do. She wasn’t the type of person to goad someone or do something someone hated to get back at them. No, she was a people-pleaser… and he was just happy to be here.
“That’s not what you were expecting – was it?” he asked quietly.
“No.”
“It’s the truth though, and I haven’t tried to hide who I am from you. I think you are exceptionally pretty, and the person that wrote me is one I want to get to know better.”
“I’m a mess, Jax,” she said hoarsely. “What if I’m never going to be okay with any of this, or I can’t stop looking over my shoulder, because that is who I am now?”
“I’d still be happy spending time with you – and they are lovely shoulders,” he smiled tenderly, reaching his hand across the table, his fingers brushing hers.
“You deserve better than…”
“Why don’t you let me be the one who decides what makes me happy,” he said gently, interrupting her. “I’m a grown man who is completely enchanted with a woman he met – and so far? This has been pretty wonderful.”
“You don’t think any of this is stupid or silly?”
“Nope.”
“What if we were to…”
“Try me,” he interrupted, still smiling. “Threaten me with your worst, but let’s just spend time together, getting to know each other, and you can feel free to suggest, say, or do whatever you want.”
