Page 55 of For the Win

“No!”

“Yeah.”

“How do they do that?”

“It’s in a dough.Like a pretzel.Really weird.Can’t say I’m a big fan, although I do like beer.”

“Hey.What about deep-fried pizza?That would be good!”

“Oh hell yeah.We should try that.”

“We’d need a deep-fryer.I don’t have one.”

“Me either.But I could buy one.We could deep-fry all kinds of things.”

“For about a year, until we have massive heart attacks.”

He laughs.“Yeah.”

We talk easily until the pizza is gone and our beers are finished.It’s nearly midnight.I’m having so much fun.

“Where to now?”Harrison asks.

I hate to say home, and as usual, I don’t want to give him my address.

Yet.

Gah.What am I thinking?

I don’t want the evening to end, though.“How about we go back to the Golden Fish where you picked me up?We could have a drink and you can meet Taj.He said he’d drive me home from there.”

He nods slowly.“Sure.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, about Taj driving me home.I’ve kind of killed the fun mood.

We enter the Golden Fish and find Taj seated at one end of the bar laughing with Ziggy, who’s standing on the other side.The place is packed, even the patio, a song by The Killers playing from speakers mingling with chattering voices and clinking glasses.

Taj spots me and lifts a hand.“Hey, beautiful.”

I lead Harrison toward him.“Hi, guys.How’s it going?”

“Good, good.”Taj’s gaze lands on Harrison.

I make the introductions, Taj and Ziggy both giving Harrison appraising looks.

Harrison shakes their hands with a firm grip and an unfazed smile.“Hey, good to meet you.”

“What can I get you to drink?”Ziggy asks.

“I guess I could have one more beer,” Harrison says, looking over at the chalkboard listing beers on tap.“How about a Shock Top.”

“You bet.Arya?”

“Can you make me one of your hibiscus tea cocktails?”

“Sure thing.”

Ziggy sets about getting our drinks.

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