Page 37 of The Princess and the Pizza Man

He tilted his chin at her, spreading the butter around on the dough. “An expert matchmaker oughta know a thing or two ‘bout love.”

Not directly.“Those who can’t do, teach.”

He laughed, but it wasn’t contagious this time. Maybe Winter had fallen into a mood that would not be saved tonight.

“That funny?” she clipped, and he nodded unabashedly.

“A little. I’m surprised is all.”

“Because I have money?”

“Because you look like that.” He lifted his chin up and down her body, and she nearly choked on her mouthful of chocolate chips. Yeah, any man would totally be into the chocolate smeared on her lips and the stained apron, and the air-dried, probably still chlorinated hair.

“Love is not just attraction.”

“It is…” he argued—of course.“Attraction to the body, the mind, the soul.” His eyes flicked up. “Pretty sure it’s all about attraction. And you’re pretty much the entire package, if ya don’t mind me sayin’.”

She didn’t mind, but she didn’t like the fact he was only saying it in a platonic fashion. They might be complete opposites in lifestyles, but personalities? She was certainly no Miss Penelope.

“It’s really not that hard to believe,” she said. “The men who’ve shown interest are either way obvious about the money, or they are an actor wanting an in, or we just never clicked because I amme. I’d probably have better luck somewhere no one knows who I am.”

He nodded, spooning the freshly made sauce onto the pizza. “I get that. My family is well-known, too. Not for our money, but for our noise.”

She giggled, letting the feeling spread throughout her. So, nothing romantic would happen between them, but a friend is just as good. Just as needed. And he was going home in a couple days anyway.

“I believe it.” She gave him a teasing grin. “And you sure had an introduction that first night.”

“Just chalk that up as a compliment to the acting in this place.”

“I expect a ten-star Yelp review.”

He smiled, gesturing for the cheese which she nudged over with her elbow since her hands were all chocolately.

“So yeah, my family is known as the loud ones back home.” He sprinkled the cheese with flair. “Maybe toomuch to handle.”

“I don’t think so.” She put the chocolate chips down. “You are both fun. And everyone likes that.”

“You’ve known us a few days.” He gave her a look. “And I’ve only been fun for one of them.”

She wiped her hands off and picked up the pepperoni, choosing to ignore that comment. Honestly, he’d been fun the whole time, even when he was a complete grump. “Can I do the toppings?”

He nodded, chewing on his own slice of pepperoni. She was glad to see him picking from the food, too, and not giving her crap for filling up before they ate.

There was a spark in his eye when she hopped off the counter, and she didn’t know how it happened. She’d been walking in heels like these for years, but her ankle rolled, and the pepperoni went flying. She thought for sure she’d hit the floor with a clang, but a strong and able arm caught her around the waist, his hand on her hip, and a shocked and timid laugh floated to her ears.

Will looked down at her, his face as close as it had been on their first meeting, his breath smelling of pepperoni and spices, his shoulders tense and muscular under her fingertips. She felt her shock pull on her mouth, amusement somewhere in her, but it was smothered by the static between their bodies.

She liked it here. And for a second, it looked like he felt the same.

He shook his head, letting a slow smile appear on his face. “Next time, maybe wear some sensible kitchen shoes.”

She laughed. “Fat chance.”

His smile lines deepened underneath his scruff. There was definitely something here; she wasn’t imagining it, and by the way his eyes floated to her lips, maybe she had a chance to be the girl he would be thinking about in his spare time.

“How old are you?” she blurted.

His eyes widened, and he slowly steadied her on her feet. “Thirty-one.”

She tilted her head from side to side. “I can work with that.”

He raised his eyebrows, but she didn’t elaborate. That last little thought was just for her.

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