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Gianna pulled out the chair across from him, raising one finger in warning. “This doesn’t mean anything,” she said. “To quote Taylor Swift, ‘We are never ever getting back together.’”
Sam laughed. “Yeah, I can see that. You’re different. You’ve changed.”
His words weren’t an insult. Instead, he was looking at her with something resembling respect.
They both grabbed a slice of pizza, and Sal came over with her standard drink order, a glass of Diet Coke. The entire moment felt completely familiar yet totally strange at the same time.
“So you were living with Emma?” she asked.
Sam nodded. “Yeah.”
“And what about now?”
He grimaced. “I’ve moved back home with my parents.”
She understood that probably wasn’t where any twenty-six-year-old wanted to be, but it wasn’t a terrible thing. His parents were cool.
“Things with me and my mom have been rough.”
“Why?” she asked.
Sam looked at her like the answer should be obvious. “Because of you. She loved you, and she never really warmed up to Emma. She’s still pissed at me for being such a dumbass.”
Gianna grinned. “Your mom is the best.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Rub it in. You know how she is, Gee. She’s determined to make my life a living hell.”
“What’s she doing? And don’t leave out any of the good stuff.”
Sam shook his head. “You’re a heartless woman.” But then, he gave her the list she’d requested, and it made her very happy. “She’s treating me like I’m sixteen again, bitching about my messy room, the dishes I leave in the sink, the times I come in too late. I gotta find my own place. And soon.”
She didn’t bother to hide her smirk, then helped herself to another slice. The least the bastard owed her was some pizza. They fell silent for a few minutes, but it wasn’t awkward. There was too much history between them. Too many years as best friends, roommates, lovers.
And yet, as she sat here, all she could think about was that she’d never missed Sam the way she had missed Elio these past few weeks.
“So how are you? How’s work?” Sam asked.
Gianna told him about the new job, and he lifted his glass of soda, the two of them toasting her success. He told her about his latest project. It was an easy conversation between two old friends.
Right up until he said, “I miss you.”
“Sam,” she said, sighing.
“I know it’s over,” he quickly added. “I know I fucked up beyond all repair. It’s just…”
“Over,” she said, stressing the word. “It’s just over. We weren’t heading in the same direction. If you open your eyes and really look at the last couple of years we were together, it’s obvious. Some people grow together. Some grow apart. I turned left.”
He gave her a sad smile. “And I turned right.”
“I’ve moved on, Sam, and you will too.”
“Moved on? Does that mean you’re—”
She narrowed her eyes and cut him off. “My personal life is none of your business.”
He sighed. “Yeah. You’re right. It’s not. I shouldn’t have asked.”
They finished most of the pizza, Sam asking for a doggy bag for the last two pieces. Sal boxed them up and Sam handed her the box after paying. “Here,” he said. “For your lunch tomorrow. I know how much you love leftover pizza.”
