Page 63 of This Feeling

“Man, you’ve thought of everything.”

“I have to admit, my father helped with the kitchen items for us here. It was my idea for the pizza oven, and to keep ranch stocked at all times.”

“A girl after my own heart.” Declan bent to peer into the pizza oven. “Looks like these are about done.”

He slid the pizza peel in and pulled his out, then I slipped mine in. “Don’t wait on me. Go ahead and start eating.”

Declan ignored me, waiting for my pizzas to be finished before he took his over to the table. I followed behind.

“What’s with the silverware?” he asked.

“It’s for the pizza.”

His brows drew down in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Picking up my fork and knife, I cut a piece of pizza and popped it into my mouth. “Um…toeat? You’ve never used a fork and knife for your pizza?”

Declan stared at me in disbelief. “How are you a New Yorker? You fold it in half and eat it that way.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “No, that’s only for that thin, greasy pizza in New York City.Mypizza, you eat with a knife and a fork.”

“You’ve never been to the right pizza place in New York. I’ll have to fix that.”

My brows shot up. “Are you asking me to go to New York with you for pizza?”

He’d just taken a big bite of his pizza, and was now chewing while I waited for his response. After wiping his mouth, he set the napkin down. “I guess I am. Would you be down for it?”

“A spontaneous trip to New York City? Hell yes, I would!”

Declan’s face broke out into a wide grin. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

We continued to eat and talk. My phone rang when we were just about done, and I took a quick look. “It’s Brystol. Do you mind?”

“No, I don’t mind at all.”

“Hey, Bry, what’s up?”

“A few of us are heading to The Muddled Moose for trivia night. Did you want to come?”

“Trivia night at The Muddled Moose, huh?” I said, as I gave Declan a silent, questioning look.

“Sounds fun,” he whispered.

“Count us in.”

Brystol moaned. “Please don’t bring Sean. You know I can’t stand the guy, and it would just be for show anyway. Trust me, his mother won’t be there.”

I laughed. “I wasn’t going to bring Sean. I was going to bring Declan.”

A loud squeal came through the line, and I pulled my phone away from my ear. Declan clearly heard it because he chuckled.

“Did Sean finally work his balls out of his ass and tell his parents the truth?”

I closed my eyes and shook my head. “How do you own a children’s toy store with that mouth of yours?”

“What? I’m not even at the toy store! I’m home. Surely I can speak the way I want in my own home.”

Sighing, I replied, “Of course you can, and no, I don’t think he’s told his mother yet. I’m about to, though.”

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