Page 50 of The Princess and the Pizza Man

“Alabama’s supposed to be nice this time of year, I hear.”

“It’s nice… every time of year.”

Her gray eyes batted, her teeth coming out over that plump bottom lip. “Then why aren’t you there?”

He lifted a shoulder, unashamed to admit it. He wasn’t going to let her slip through his fingers this time. “Didn’t feel like home anymore.”

A blush ran through her cheeks, and he made his way forward, meeting her halfway.

“So, where is home, then?” she asked. He reached for her hand, clasping her gently before lifting it to her heart.

“Pretty sure it’s right here.” His lip tilted up. “If that’s a’right with you.”

Her smile turned evil. “I guess I can take your grumpy butt a little while longer.”

He chuckled, cupping her cheeks and dropping his lips to hers. An adorable squeal of surprise or joy came from the back of her throat, and he couldn’t help but smile, his hands keeping her mouth pressed with his for as long as she’d let him. He hoped it would be forever.

A small laugh spilled from her lips when they broke apart to take a breath. Her fingers grazed his face. “This really isn’t soft, is it?”

“You want me to grow it out?” he said, wiggling his nose against hers.

“Heavens no.” She gave him a peck. “It’s probably better for business.”

“What do you mean?”

“Making pizzas. No one wants to find a beard hair in there.”

His brow pulled in. “Well, I don’t think I’ll be making those for a while.”

“And why not?”

He wrapped her up in his arms and put his forehead against hers, taking in her cinnamon scent. “My priorities are a bit different now.”

Her hand slithered up his chest and settled on his beating heart. “Well, I think we can arrange something that’ll work for the both of us.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded. “But for now, let’s kiss again, then you and I hop in the car over there.” She gestured to the sedan where Michael was now standing. “And give your sister a happy ending, too.”

Will’s brow pulled in, but after a good few seconds, the things he’d noticed about Michael and Bells started to fall into place. He bent down, grabbed his duffel bag, and slung it over his shoulder.

“You got it.”

And they kissed in the drive until Michael begged them to get going.

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