Page 76 of Mud, Love, and Chemistry

“Depends on where you’re ordering from.”

Sam rolls his eyes. “Where do you want to order from?”

“When in Rome.”

“Do they deliver?”

“No, but Door Dash does.”

Sam laughs. “Okay. What do you want on your pizza?”

“Cream cheese, garlic, and black olives.” I don’t even hesitate to answer.

“That’s it?” He jerks his head back. “No pepperoni or sausage?”

I shake my head. “I’m a vegetarian.”

“Really? I had no idea.”

“Well, we don’t talk much, Sam.” I sound more disappointed than I intend to.

“Right,” he says, remorse lacing his tone. “Well, let me order this and we can pick a movie.”

We both get up from his bed and get dressed. As much fun as naked movie time sounds, it’s not a good idea. The pizza and movie are nothing more than a replacement for the presentation we usually work on. Cuddling isn’t an option.

Being Saturday, the pizza takes forty-five minutes to arrive, which ends up being a good thing because Sam and I cannot agree on a movie to save our lives.

“How do you not like Batman?” Sam asks, seemingly offended. “He’s the greatest superhero.”

“But he’s not a superhero. He’s a rich kid with cool toys.”

“All right, Miss Know-It-All. Who do you think is the greatest superhero?” Leaning against the arm of the couch, he folds his arms.

I purse my lips, glancing at the ceiling as I contemplate. “Captain America.”

“Oh, fuck.” Sam exaggerates a groan. “You’re a Marvel fan?”

“Of course. They’re the best movies!”

He sits up, holding out his hand to use his fingers to count on. “Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman… Not to mention The Joker, Bane, Lex Luther… Come on, Brynn.”

I shake my head. “No way. Marvel has The Avengers, X-Men, The Fantastic Four. I mean, Spider-Man alone trumps all of DC.”

“What!?” Sam practically tumbles from the couch he jumps so fast.

I laugh, thinking he’s adorable when he’s passionate about things, but I shake it off. I put on a serious face and act like I’m getting up. “Well, I guess I’ll see myself out, then.”

Sam grabs my wrist, keeping me in place. “I can accept your flaws.”

My mouth runs dry with the intensity in his eyes. What was a light-hearted discussion has become a heavy moment, and it makes my heart race.

He clears his throat and lets go of me. “I mean, at least long enough for sex.”

Right. Great sex is all we are to each other. The headiness in the air dissipates. My heart rate slowly returns to normal, and I exhale slowly.

A knock at the door startles us, and we laugh off the awkwardness. Sam pays for the pizza, setting it on the coffee table, but doesn’t sit. “You want a beer?”

I nod. “Sure, that would be great.”

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